Northern Illinois vs. WMU

Comparable Facts

Compare Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, IL with Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Michigan University is larger than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (16,744 students vs. 15,414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting); Western Michigan University is in Kalamazoo, MI (Small City setting).
• Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Michigan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northern Illinois University 15:1; Western Michigan University 16:1.

Northern Illinois vs. WMU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northern Illinois or WMU? 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 Northern Illinois University than WMU ($14,243 vs. $17,331).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Michigan University are 14% lower than at Northern Illinois University ($12,174 vs. $14,160).
• Western Michigan University is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $2,004 more per year; $15,252.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.7% higher at WMU than at Northern Illinois University (about $5,786 more per year; $19,034.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at Western Michigan University (98% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northern Illinois University students is 30.2% larger than aid received by Western Michigan University students ($14,387 vs. $11,048).

Northern Illinois vs. WMU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northern Illinois or WMU? 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 WMU and Northern Illinois.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Western Michigan University (1110) is 50 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming WMU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (23 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 940/1170; Western Michigan University 990/1220.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northern Illinois University 19/25; Western Michigan University 20/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northern Illinois - Test-free; WMU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WMU students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• WMU has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.1% at Northern Illinois vs. 13.5% at WMU.

Northern Illinois vs. WMU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northern Illinois and WMU? 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).

• The graduation rate at Northern Illinois is the same as at Western Michigan University (56% vs. 56%).
• Graduates from Western Michigan University earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,900 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northern Illinois University graduates have a $2,774 lower median loan debt than WMU graduates ($23,859 vs. $26,633).
• Among borrowers, Northern Illinois graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WMU graduates ($246 vs. $275).
• More Northern Illinois graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WMU students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 54%)

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.