Northern Illinois vs. University of Houston-Victoria

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with University of Houston Victoria in Victoria, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than University of Houston-Victoria based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 3,586 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); University of Houston Victoria is in Victoria, TX (Small City setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Houston Victoria is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; University of Houston Victoria 15:1.

Northern Illinois vs. University of Houston-Victoria Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or University of Houston-Victoria? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Houston Victoria than Northern Illinois ($6,754 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Houston Victoria are 20.6% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($11,246 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 85.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Houston-Victoria (about $6,099 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $7,149.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.2% higher at University of Houston-Victoria than at Northern Illinois University (about $3,741 more per year; $16,989.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at University of Houston Victoria (98% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 8.9% larger than aid received by University of Houston Victoria students ($14,387 vs. $13,210).

Northern Illinois vs. University of Houston-Victoria Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or University of Houston-Victoria? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between University of Houston-Victoria and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Houston Victoria (1090) is 30 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 22) as students at University of Houston-Victoria (22).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; University of Houston Victoria 993/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Northern Illinois University 19/25; University of Houston Victoria 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; University of Houston-Victoria - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• University of Houston-Victoria has a higher acceptance rate (95.9%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 12.3% at University of Houston-Victoria.

Northern Illinois vs. University of Houston-Victoria Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and University of Houston-Victoria? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate is 56%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for University of Houston-Victoria.
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than University of Houston-Victoria graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $43,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Houston Victoria graduates have a $6,330 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($17,529 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, University of Houston-Victoria graduates have an estimated $65 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($181 vs. $246).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Houston-Victoria 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/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.