UIC vs. Northern Illinois

Comparable Facts

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

University of Illinois Chicago is larger than Northern Illinois based on total student enrollment (33,906 students vs. 15,414 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Illinois Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northern Illinois University is in Dekalb, IL (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Illinois Chicago is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northern Illinois University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Illinois Chicago 17:1; Northern Illinois University 15:1.

UIC vs. Northern Illinois Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UIC or Northern Illinois? 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 Illinois Chicago than Northern Illinois ($10,852 vs. $14,243).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northern Illinois University are 14.2% lower than at University of Illinois Chicago ($14,160 vs. $16,500).
• University of Illinois Chicago is 8.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northern Illinois (about $1,090 more per year; $14,338.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.6% higher at UIC than at Northern Illinois University (about $16,636 more per year; $29,884.00 vs. $13,248.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northern Illinois University than at University of Illinois Chicago (98% vs. 74%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Illinois Chicago students is 16.5% larger than aid received by Northern Illinois University students ($16,755 vs. $14,387).

UIC vs. Northern Illinois Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Illinois Chicago (1240) is 180 points higher than at Northern Illinois (1060).
• Incoming UIC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 22 at Northern Illinois).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 1130/1350; Northern Illinois University 940/1170.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Illinois Chicago 25/31; Northern Illinois University 19/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UIC - Test optional; Northern Illinois - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UIC Feb 1, 2027; Northern Illinois Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UIC students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.41) than students at Northern Illinois (3.3).
• UIC has a higher acceptance rate (77.4%) than Northern Illinois (69.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 21.1% at UIC vs. 12.1% at Northern Illinois.

UIC vs. Northern Illinois Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UIC and Northern Illinois? 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 Illinois Chicago's (54%).
• Graduates from University of Illinois Chicago earn a median of about $14,300 more per year than Northern Illinois graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,900 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Illinois Chicago graduates have a $5,109 lower median loan debt than Northern Illinois graduates ($18,750 vs. $23,859).
• Among borrowers, UIC graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northern Illinois graduates ($193 vs. $246).
• More UIC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northern Illinois students, three years after graduation. (68% 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.