Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a public institution located in Dekalb, IL, offering 93 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. With an enrollment of over 11,277 students, Northern Illinois University serves a substantial student population.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $12,700
- 2024 Average Net Price: $12,909 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 70.45% Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 11,277 N/A% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 49.65%
Costs
Tuition Costs
$12,700
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Northern Illinois University was $12,700.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$12,909
2024 Value
In 2024 Northern Illinois University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,909.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$51,636 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$12,909 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$50,800 4-Year Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for Northern Illinois University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
45.55% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
48.86% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Northern Illinois University was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
70.45% Acceptance Rate
This institution has a moderate acceptance rate, accepting most qualified applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
N/A% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Northern Illinois University in 2024 is 11,277 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
N/A%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
33.42% 100% Completion Time
49.65% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 33.42% of students graduating from Northern Illinois University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Northern Illinois University.
Return on Investment
$22,162 Median Student Debt
$57,808 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
38.34% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
1019.53% Return on Investment
3.8 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Northern Illinois University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
General Psychology: 246 completions
Computer Science: 233 completions
CIP 52.0201: 207 completions
General Computer & Information Sciences: 144 completions
Mechanical Engineering: 137 completions
CIP 52.0301: 130 completions
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, & Nursing Research: 124 completions
CIP 52.1301: 116 completions
CIP 51.1199: 113 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 4,054 completions
Most popular programs at Northern Illinois University.
Employment Outcomes
$46,113 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)
$51,305 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)
$57,808 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
Earnings outcomes for Northern Illinois University graduates.
About
Northern Illinois University is a public institution located in Dekalb, IL, offering 93 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 11,277 students. The admission rate is 70.45%. The institution maintains a 49.65% graduation rate. Approximately 45.55% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Public
Location
Dekalb, IL 60115-2828
Region: Great Lakes
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 93 distinct degree programs, Northern Illinois University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.