Northern Illinois vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Comparable Facts

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

Northern Illinois University is larger than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater based on total student enrollment (15,414 students vs. 11,746 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); University of Wisconsin Whitewater is in Whitewater, WI (Distant Town setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 21:1.

Northern Illinois vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 Wisconsin Whitewater than Northern Illinois ($12,709 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Wisconsin Whitewater are 42.9% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($8,090 vs. $14,160).
• Northern Illinois University is 53.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (about $4,632 more per year; $13,248.00 vs. $8,616.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.3% higher at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater than at Northern Illinois University (about $5,468 more per year; $18,716.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at University of Wisconsin Whitewater (98% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 153.1% larger than aid received by University of Wisconsin Whitewater students ($14,387 vs. $5,685).

Northern Illinois vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and Northern Illinois.

• Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (22 vs. 21 at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; University of Wisconsin Whitewater 19/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; University of Wisconsin-Whitewater - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northern Illinois students have the same average high school GPA (3.3) as students at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (3.3).
• University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has a higher acceptance rate (85.7%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 24.7% at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Northern Illinois vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater? 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).

• Northern Illinois University's six-year graduation rate (56%) is higher than University of Wisconsin Whitewater's (54%).
• Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,600 vs. $44,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $1,112 lower median loan debt than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($23,859 vs. $24,971).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates ($246 vs. $258).
• More University of Wisconsin-Whitewater graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.