Northern Illinois vs. UWT

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with University of Washington Tacoma Campus in Tacoma, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northern Illinois University is larger than UWT based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 4,965 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northern Illinois vs. UWT Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or UWT? 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 Washington Tacoma Campus than Northern Illinois ($13,898 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 13.5% lower than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus ($14,160 vs. $16,371).
• Northern Illinois University is 0.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UWT (about $80 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $13,168.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 227.6% higher at UWT than at Northern Illinois University (about $30,156 more per year; $43,404.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (98% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 18.3% larger than aid received by University of Washington Tacoma Campus students ($14,387 vs. $12,161).

Northern Illinois vs. UWT Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or UWT? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UWT and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Washington Tacoma Campus (1070) is 10 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 20 at UWT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 960/1180.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; University of Washington Tacoma Campus 16/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; UWT - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027; UWT Jun 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UWT students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• UWT has a higher acceptance rate (82.5%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 21.5% at UWT.

Northern Illinois vs. UWT Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and UWT? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from University of Washington Tacoma Campus earn a median of about $18,200 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,800 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates have a $8,859 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($15,000 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, UWT graduates have an estimated $91 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($155 vs. $246).
• More UWT graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (76% vs. 61%)

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.