Northern Illinois vs. Southern Illinois University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University Carbondale? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or Southern Illinois University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northern Illinois University vs. Southern Illinois University Carbondale comparison
Northern Illinois University Southern Illinois University Carbondale College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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Overview

Northern Illinois Southern Illinois University
Location Dekalb, IL Carbondale, IL
Setting Small Suburban Rural Fringe
Enrollment 15,649 11,107
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #467
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu siuc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Southern Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $9,638
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $9,638
Room & Board $11,420 $10,622
Avg Net Price $13,884 $16,990
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $11,269
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 98%

Admission

Northern Illinois Southern Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 9,771
Admitted 18,348 8,940
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 91.5%
Enrolled % 13.3% 17%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.24
Typical High School Grades B+ B
Admissions Standards Easy Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 19/27
SAT Range 940/1170 900/1140
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

Northern Illinois Southern Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Education (20%)
  • Business (10%)
  • Health Professions (8%)
  • Engineering Technology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Southern Illinois University
Graduation Rate 56% 44%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $47,800
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $22,500
Median Loan Payment $246 $232

Diversity

Northern Illinois Southern Illinois University
% Men 46% 49%
% Women 54% 51%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 57% 64%
% Black 16% 19%
% Hispanic 15% 8%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 3%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 1% 0%

Students

Northern Illinois Southern Illinois University
% In-State 93% 81%
% Out-of-State 5% 17%

Campus

Northern Illinois Southern Illinois University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northern Illinois University is larger than than Southern Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 11,107 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Southern Illinois University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or Southern Illinois University?

  • Northern Illinois University is 1.6% more expensive to attend than Southern Illinois University for in-state tuition ($9,790.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 1.6% higher at Northern Illinois than Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($9,790.00 vs. $9,638.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northern Illinois University than Southern Illinois University ($13,884 vs. $16,990)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are 7.5% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,622 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (99% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 11.4% larger than aid received Southern Illinois University Carbondale ($12,552 vs. $11,269)

Northern Illinois vs. Southern Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or Southern Illinois University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Southern Illinois University or Northern Illinois .

  • The average SAT score at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (1032) is 3 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1029)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have at the same average ACT score (22) as students at Southern Illinois University (22)
  • Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.3) than students at Southern Illinois University (3.24)
  • Southern Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. Southern Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or Southern Illinois University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Southern Illinois University and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Southern Illinois University Carbondale (56% vs. 44%)
  • Graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale earn on average $200 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates after ten years. ($47,800 vs. $47,600)
  • Southern Illinois University Carbondale students graduate with a $1,359 lower median federal student loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates. ($22,500 vs. $23,859)
  • Southern Illinois University graduates are paying $14 less per month on federal student loans than Northern Illinois graduates. ($232 vs. $246)
  • More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Southern Illinois University students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/