Northern Illinois vs. Western Illinois University

Should I go to Northern Illinois University or Western Illinois University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northern Illinois or Western 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. Western Illinois University comparison
Northern Illinois University Western Illinois University College 3 College 4
Northern Illinois University Western Illinois University
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Overview

Northern Illinois Western Illinois University
Location Dekalb, IL Macomb, IL
Setting Small Suburban Remote Town
Enrollment 15,649 7,643
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #454 #579
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website niu.edu wiu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northern Illinois Western Illinois University
Tuition (In State) $9,790 $9,515
Tuition (Out of State) $9,790 $9,515
Room & Board $11,420 $10,500
Avg Net Price $13,884 $11,213
Avg Grant Aid $12,552 $15,632
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 94%

Admission

Northern Illinois Western Illinois University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 25,961 9,219
Admitted 18,348 6,914
Acceptance Rate 70.7% 75%
Enrolled % 13.3% 15.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.3 3.45
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 19/25 18/24
SAT Range 940/1170 880/1090
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2024

Academics

Northern Illinois Western Illinois University
Student to Faculty Ratio 14:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Social Sciences (11%)
  • Education (9%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Business (16%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Communication (6%)

Outcomes

Northern Illinois Western Illinois University
Graduation Rate 56% 53%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $47,600 $46,000
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 61%
Median Student Loan Debt $23,859 $24,704
Median Loan Payment $246 $255

Diversity

Northern Illinois Western Illinois University
% Men 46% 43%
% Women 54% 57%
Racial Diversity High Medium
HBCU No No
% White 57% 62%
% Black 16% 19%
% Hispanic 15% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 3% 2%
% International 2% 2%
% Unknown Race 1% 2%

Students

Northern Illinois Western Illinois University
% In-State 93% 89%
% Out-of-State 5% 10%

Campus

Northern Illinois Western Illinois University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No Yes
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 Western Illinois University based on total student enrollment (15,649 students vs. 7,643 students)

Northern Illinois vs. Western Illinois University Cost Comparison

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

  • Northern Illinois University is 2.9% more expensive to attend than Western Illinois University for in-state tuition ($9,790.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 2.9% higher at Northern Illinois than Western Illinois University ($9,790.00 vs. $9,515.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Illinois University than Northern Illinois ($11,213 vs. $13,884)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Illinois University are 8.8% lower than costs at Northern Illinois University ($10,500 vs. $11,420)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Northern Illinois University than Western Illinois University (99% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Western Illinois University students is 24.5% larger than aid received Northern Illinois University ($15,632 vs. $12,552)

Northern Illinois vs. Western Illinois University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Northern Illinois University (1029) is 59 points higher than at Western Illinois University (970)
  • Incoming Northern Illinois students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (22) than students at Western Illinois University (21)
  • Accepted freshman Western Illinois University students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.45) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3)
  • Western Illinois University has a higher acceptance rate (75%) than Northern Illinois (70.7%)

Northern Illinois vs. Western Illinois University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northern Illinois or Western 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 Western Illinois University and Northern Illinois.

  • The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is higher than Western Illinois University (56% vs. 53%)
  • Graduates from Northern Illinois University earn on average $1,600 more per year than Western Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($47,600 vs. $46,000)
  • Northern Illinois University students graduate with a $845 lower median federal student loan debt than Western Illinois University graduates. ($23,859 vs. $24,704)
  • Northern Illinois graduates are paying $9 less per month on federal student loans than Western Illinois University graduates. ($246 vs. $255)
  • More Western Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 61%)

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