Northern Illinois University: Review & Facts

Overall Rating:Overall Ranking - GoodQuality:Education Quality Rating - OustandingSafety:Capmus Safety Rating - Very BadCosts:Tuition & Fees Cost Rating - Excellent

ReviewMajors / RatingsTuition / LoansFaculty / SalariesCampus CrimeAdmissions

Northern Illinois University is a large four-year, public school with 15,650 students enrolled. This school was established in 1895 and is one of the 2 schools located in Dekalb, Illinois.

Academic Offerings

Bachelor's degree, master's degree, postmaster certificate, and doctoral degree are offered at Northern Illinois University.

Majors
Offered
100
Northern Illinois University follows a semester-based curriculum calendar system and has 100 majors. The most popular concentrations are Education, Management, Medical, Psychology, and Engineering. Read the details about Majors offered at this college and see program Ratings.

It is important to know student retention and graduation rates when you apply to a school to get your diploma or to engage in a long-term study; high retention and graduation rates are typically a good sign. Nevertheless, if you are planning to transfer out or take non-credit coursework, these metrics are not important.

The student retention rate at Northern Illinois University is relatively low at 65% (below Illinois average). Considering this statistic, it seems that students like their stay at this school.

Student Retention
65%
Bad
The graduation rate at Northern Illinois University is below average: 50%.

Student to faculty ratio at Northern Illinois University is pretty decent, 14:1. Learn more regarding instruction at this college in the Faculty & Salaries report.

Tuition and Loans

Average tuition cost is close to the nationwide median, around $9,800 a year. The additional fees at Northern Illinois University beyond tuition are around $2,700, which totals $12,500 per year.

Read the details about Northern Illinois University additional charges as well as availability of loans and likelihood of repaying them upon graduation in the Tuition & Loans report for this college.

Admissions Information

Acceptance
Rate
71%
Doable
According to recent data, 25,961 applications were submitted and 18,348 were accepted, so it is relatively easy to get admitted at this school.

Northern Illinois University might accept your advanced placement credits for admission.

Read the details about admissions as well applicants' SAT and ACT test scores at Northern Illinois University in the Admissions and Tests report for this school.

Opportunities and Services

Dormatory
Annual Price
$7,800
High
Northern Illinois University offers a distance learning option, study abroad programs, and evening/weekend study opportunity, which is an amazing option for those who work full-time.

There are options for on-campus part-time employment at Northern Illinois University, which allows students to cover some of the tuition expenses. Additionally, this school helps students to evaluate their career options and find a full-time job upon graduation.

Safety
Grade
F
Unsafe
Northern Illinois University offers on-campus housing. Dormitory capacity at this college accommodates nearly 4,500 students, which provides a reasonable on-campus housing opportunity. The room price is a bit high: about $7,800 a year.

Army ROTC programs are available at Northern Illinois University. Reserve Officers' Training Corps commissioning programs typically imply elective classes in addition to required college curriculum, possible funding for your tuition, and an obligation to serve upon graduation.

ROTC
Available
Yes
It is important to keep in mind that enrolling in a ROTC course does not commit you to serve unless you have received a ROTC scholarship, grant, or any other funding.

Based on the college crime information, Northern Illinois University appears to be a very dangerous school. Read the details in the Campus Crime report for this college.

Northern Illinois University Location and Address

Postal Address:
Northern Illinois University
1425 W. Lincoln Hwy.
Dekalb, Illinois
60115-2828, USA
Northern Illinois University Location Map - Street View
Northern Illinois University Location Map - City View

Alternatives to Northern Illinois University

University of Wisconsin MadisonUniversity of Wisconsin MadisonMadison, WI
University of Wisconsin Madison Rating
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Excellent retention rate. Tuition: $38k. Moderately priced on-campus housing option. About 49,000 students. Very dangerous campus. Best known for offering biology, engineering, and computer science programs. SAT 1400, ACT 29 to enroll.

University of Illinois ChicagoUniversity of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL
University of Illinois Chicago Rating
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition: $28k. Moderately priced on-campus housing. Roughly 33,800 students. Unsafe campus. Concentration on medical, engineering, and biology programs. ROTC programs are offered. SAT 1190, ACT 27 to enroll.

Northwestern UniversityNorthwestern UniversityEvanston, IL
Northwestern University Rating
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Outstanding student retention rate. Tuition: $62k. Above average on-campus housing. More than 23,200 students. Dangerous campus. Best known for offering management, computer science, and medical programs. SAT 1520, ACT 34 to enroll.

Illinois State UniversityIllinois State UniversityNormal, IL
Illinois State University Rating
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition: $20k. Reasonably priced on-campus housing. Around 20,700 students. Very dangerous campus. Strong emphasis on education, management, and business programs. ROTC programs are available. ACT 24 to enroll.

University of ChicagoUniversity of ChicagoChicago, IL
University of Chicago Rating
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Outstanding student retention rate. Tuition: $61k. On-campus housing. Around 18,400 students. Dangerous campus. Popular management, mathematics, and economics programs. SAT 1530, ACT 35 to enroll.

University of Wisconsin MilwaukeeUniversity of Wisconsin MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Rating
Associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition: $20k. Reasonably priced on-campus housing option. Roughly 22,700 students. Dangerous campus. Well known for management, education, and psychology programs. ROTC programs are offered. ACT 21 to enroll.

Loyola University ChicagoLoyola University ChicagoChicago, IL
Loyola University Chicago Rating
Associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition: $48k. Above average on-campus housing. About 16,900 students. Dangerous campus. Best known for offering management, biology, and law programs. ROTC programs. SAT 1240, ACT 29 to enroll.

DePaul UniversityDePaul UniversityChicago, IL
DePaul University Rating
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition: $42k. Above average on-campus housing. More than 21,000 students. Dangerous campus. Places a focus on management, computer science, and business programs. ROTC programs. ACT 27 to enroll.

Marquette UniversityMarquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI
Marquette University Rating
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Great retention rate. Tuition: $46k. Above average on-campus housing. Approximately 11,200 students. Very dangerous campus. Well known for their medical, nursing, and biology programs. SAT 1240, ACT 29 to enroll.

University of Wisconsin WhitewaterUniversity of Wisconsin WhitewaterWhitewater, WI
University of Wisconsin Whitewater Rating
Associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition: $16k. Affordable on-campus housing. More than 11,100 students. Very dangerous campus. Emphasis on business, education, and management programs. ROTC programs are available. SAT 1010, ACT 21 to enroll.

Other Nearby Colleges




Hair Professionals Career CollegeHair Professionals Career CollegeSycamore, IL
Hair Professionals Career College Rating
Roughly 100 students. Safe campus.

Kishwaukee CollegeKishwaukee CollegeMalta, IL
Kishwaukee College Rating
Associate's degrees. Tuition: $13k. More than 2,600 students. Safe campus. Specializes in general studies, biology, and nursing programs. ROTC programs are offered.

Waubonsee Community CollegeWaubonsee Community CollegeSugar Grove, IL
Waubonsee Community College Rating
Associate's degrees. Tuition: $11k. More than 7,500 students. Safe campus. Strong emphasis on general studies, biology, and nursing programs. ROTC programs are available.


Elgin Community CollegeElgin Community CollegeElgin, IL
Elgin Community College Rating
Associate's degrees. Tuition: $10k. More than 9,000 students. Safe campus. Has strong presence in general studies, biology, and nursing programs.

Aurora UniversityAurora UniversityAurora, IL
Aurora University Rating
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition: $27k. Moderately priced on-campus housing. Roughly 6,000 students. Unsafe campus. Has strong social work, education, and management programs. ROTC programs are offered. SAT 1050, ACT 22 to enroll.

Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology RockfordEducators of Beauty College of Cosmetology RockfordRockford, IL
Educators of Beauty College of Cosmetology Rockford Rating
Great retention rate. More than 100 students. Safe campus.

Rasmussen University IllinoisRasmussen University IllinoisRockford, IL
Rasmussen University Illinois Rating
Associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Tuition: $12k. Approximately 2,500 students. Safe campus. Popular nursing, medical assistant, and management programs.

Tricoci University of Beauty Culture RockfordTricoci University of Beauty Culture RockfordRockford, IL
Tricoci University of Beauty Culture Rockford Rating
Roughly 200 students. Safe campus. Offers strong cosmetology program.

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career CollegeStautzenberger College Rockford Career CollegeRockford, IL
Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College Rating
Associate's degrees. Tuition: $16k. Roughly 500 students. Safe campus. Offers strong medical assistant, medical, and management programs.

Judson UniversityJudson UniversityElgin, IL
Judson University Rating
Associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition: $30k. Reasonably priced on-campus housing option. Approximately 1,000 students. Dangerous campus. Strong management, business, and psychology programs. ROTC programs are available. ACT 21 to enroll.

Rockford UniversityRockford UniversityRockford, IL
Rockford University Rating
Bachelor's and master's degrees. Tuition: $35k. Reasonably priced on-campus housing. Roughly 1,200 students. Generally safe campus. Best known for education, business, and management programs. ROTC programs are available. SAT 960, ACT 16 to enroll.

Hair Professionals School of CosmetologyHair Professionals School of CosmetologyOswego, IL
Hair Professionals School of Cosmetology Rating
Outstanding retention rate. Around 100 students. Safe campus.

Rock Valley CollegeRock Valley CollegeRockford, IL
Rock Valley College Rating
Associate's degrees. Tuition: $20k. Over 5,900 students. Safe campus. Strong general studies, biology, and flight and aviation programs.

Saint Anthony College of NursingSaint Anthony College of NursingRockford, IL
Saint Anthony College of Nursing Rating
Bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Outstanding retention rate. Tuition: $26k. About 300 students. Safe campus. Affiliated with Roman Catholic Church.

McHenry County CollegeMcHenry County CollegeCrystal Lake, IL
McHenry County College Rating
Associate's degrees. Tuition: $14k. About 8,900 students. Safe campus. Strong emphasis on general studies, biology, and management programs.

Ambria College of NursingAmbria College of NursingHoffman Estates, IL
Ambria College of Nursing Rating
Associate's and bachelor's degrees. Roughly 300 students. Safe campus.

Cosmetology & Spa AcademyCosmetology & Spa AcademyCrystal Lake, IL
Cosmetology & Spa Academy Rating
About 400 students. Safe campus. Focus on cosmetology program.

North Central CollegeNorth Central CollegeNaperville, IL
North Central College Rating
Bachelor's and master's degrees. Tuition: $43k. Moderately priced on-campus housing option. Around 2,700 students. Very dangerous campus. Has strong management, education, and occupational therapy programs. ROTC programs are available. ACT 25 to enroll.

Quick College Search

Click to Search Colleges
search by college name, city, or state

Similar Programs in Illinois

Accounting and Finance
Read about 89 accounting and finance schools and colleges in Chicago, Rockford, Champaign, Springfield, Elgin, River Forest, Decatur, and 57 other cities. Approximately 5,600 accounting and finance diplomas are granted each year. Average tuition for accounting and finance programs in IL is roughly $32,300.

Art
Learn about 77 art schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Springfield, Champaign, Elgin, Galesburg, Decatur, and 54 more cities. Approximately 2,000 art diplomas and certificates are granted every academic year. Average tuition for art programs in IL is around $37,500.

Biology
Our directory contains 102 biology schools and colleges in Chicago, Naperville, Elgin, River Forest, Champaign, Galesburg, Joliet, and 69 other cities. Approximately 10,400 biology diplomas are granted every academic year. Average tuition for biology programs in IL: $25,700.

Business
We list 105 business schools and colleges in Chicago, Rockford, Galesburg, Joliet, Quincy, Springfield, Elgin, and 68 more cities. Around 12,600 business diplomas and certificates are awarded every academic year. Average tuition for business programs in IL is approximately $27,700.

Chemistry
We reviewed 52 chemistry schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Aurora, Decatur, Evanston, Macomb, Champaign, and 37 other cities. About 1,700 chemistry degrees are awarded each year. Average tuition for chemistry programs in IL is roughly $38,600.

Communication and Journalism
Get the details about 65 communication and journalism schools and colleges in Chicago, Champaign, Naperville, River Forest, Carlinville, Edwardsville, Godfrey, and 43 more cities. Approximately 4,000 communication and journalism diplomas and certificates are awarded every academic year. Average tuition for communication and journalism programs in IL is about $36,800.

Computer Science
We reviewed 105 computer science schools and colleges in Chicago, Rockford, Champaign, Galesburg, Joliet, Normal, River Forest, and 69 other cities. Around 10,900 computer science diplomas are awarded each year. Average tuition for computer science programs in IL is around $32,900.

Criminal Justice
Get the details about 87 criminal justice schools and colleges in Chicago, Rockford, Springfield, River Forest, Joliet, Quincy, Decatur, and 57 other cities. About 2,500 criminal justice diplomas are granted every academic year. Average tuition for criminal justice programs in IL is about $21,600.

Economics
We list 38 economics schools and colleges in Chicago, Joliet, Bloomington, Elmhurst, Lisle, Rock Island, Normal, and 27 more cities. Around 2,900 economics diplomas are granted each year. Average tuition for economics programs in IL is around $46,400.

Education
We reviewed 130 education schools and colleges in Chicago, Rockford, Joliet, Peoria, Normal, Champaign, Naperville, and 84 more cities. About 10,800 education diplomas are awarded each academic year. Average tuition for education programs in IL is roughly $26,600.

Engineering
We reviewed 69 engineering schools and colleges in Chicago, Decatur, Normal, Champaign, Naperville, Aurora, Dixon, and 52 other cities. Around 7,000 engineering diplomas are granted every year. Average tuition for engineering programs in IL is roughly $33,500.

English and Literature
Our directory contains 54 English and literature schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Aurora, Decatur, Evanston, Lebanon, Quincy, and 37 other cities. About 2,000 English and literature diplomas and certificates are granted each year. Average tuition for English and literature programs in IL: $35,100.

Ethnic and Cultural Studies
Learn about 27 ethnic and cultural studies schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Elmhurst, Peoria, Champaign, Lake Forest, Evanston, and 15 more cities. About 400 ethnic and cultural studies diplomas are granted every academic year. Average tuition for ethnic and cultural studies programs in IL is around $42,100.

Fashion
Our directory contains 14 fashion schools and colleges in Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Charleston, South Holland, Normal, Dekalb, Carbondale, and 8 more cities. About 200 fashion diplomas and certificates are awarded each academic year. Average tuition for fashion programs in IL: $27,100.

Foreign Languages
Read about 49 foreign languages schools and colleges in Chicago, Decatur, River Forest, Bourbonnais, Deerfield, Galesburg, Monmouth, and 36 more cities. Approximately 900 foreign languages diplomas are granted every academic year. Average tuition for foreign languages programs in IL is roughly $36,800.

General Studies
We reviewed 99 general studies schools and colleges in Chicago, Decatur, Quincy, Springfield, Galesburg, Joliet, Rockford, and 66 more cities. Around 30,300 general studies degrees are awarded each year. Average tuition for general studies programs in IL is approximately $13,400.

Geography
Learn about 17 geography schools and colleges in Chicago, Bourbonnais, Evanston, Dekalb, Champaign, Normal, Elmhurst, and 10 more cities. Approximately 200 geography diplomas are awarded every academic year. Average tuition for geography programs in IL is roughly $24,700.

Geology
Our directory contains 16 geology schools and colleges in Chicago, Champaign, River Forest, Evanston, Wheaton, Carbondale, Normal, and 10 other cities. Approximately 200 geology diplomas are granted every year. Average tuition for geology programs in IL is roughly $29,800.

History
Read about 46 history schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Aurora, Decatur, Galesburg, Monmouth, Rockford, and 34 more cities. About 1,100 history degrees are granted each academic year. Average tuition for history programs in IL: $34,700.

Laboratory Assistance
Our directory contains 34 laboratory assistance schools and colleges in Chicago, Quincy, Rockford, Belleville, Des Plaines, Lisle, Springfield, and 24 other cities. Around 300 laboratory assistance diplomas are granted each year. Average tuition for laboratory assistance programs in IL: $21,500.

Law
We list 13 law schools and colleges in Chicago, Carbondale, Evanston, Champaign, Springfield, Dekalb, Carlinville, and River Forest. Approximately 3,100 law diplomas and certificates are granted each academic year. Average tuition for law programs in IL is approximately $47,100.

Management
We list 109 management schools and colleges in Chicago, Rockford, Decatur, Galesburg, Joliet, Peoria, Elgin, and 69 other cities. Approximately 19,500 management degrees are granted each academic year. Average tuition for management programs in IL is approximately $33,000.

Marketing and Advertising
Our directory contains 58 marketing and advertising schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Quincy, Elgin, Joliet, Champaign, Aurora, and 39 other cities. Approximately 2,700 marketing and advertising diplomas are awarded each year. Average tuition for marketing and advertising programs in IL - $34,400.

Mathematics
Get the details about 54 mathematics schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Aurora, Decatur, Evanston, Kankakee, Palos Heights, and 39 other cities. About 3,000 mathematics diplomas and certificates are awarded each year. Average tuition for mathematics programs in IL: $42,900.

Medical
We reviewed 110 medical schools and colleges in Chicago, Quincy, Rockford, Decatur, Normal, Galesburg, Naperville, and 69 other cities. Approximately 13,900 medical diplomas are awarded each academic year. Average tuition for medical programs in IL is roughly $25,600.

Medical Assistant
We reviewed 87 medical assistant schools and colleges in Chicago, Springfield, Rockford, Quincy, Peoria, Champaign, River Forest, and 61 more cities. Around 4,400 medical assistant diplomas are awarded each academic year. Average tuition for medical assistant programs in IL: $17,700.

Meteorology
We list 3 meteorology schools and colleges in Macomb, Dekalb, and Champaign. Around 100 meteorology diplomas and certificates are awarded each academic year. Average tuition for meteorology programs in IL - $28,500.

Music
Get the details about 66 music schools and colleges in Chicago, Champaign, River Forest, Elgin, Quincy, Bourbonnais, Crystal Lake, and 47 more cities. Around 1,700 music degrees are granted every year. Average tuition for music programs in IL - $36,200.

Natural Resources and Environment
Get the details about 52 natural resources and environment schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Springfield, Canton, Edwardsville, Godfrey, Macomb, and 39 other cities. About 1,100 natural resources and environment diplomas are awarded every academic year. Average tuition for natural resources and environment programs in IL is about $37,900.

Nursing
We list 98 nursing schools and colleges in Chicago, Rockford, Peoria, Quincy, Springfield, Champaign, Canton, and 69 other cities. Around 10,700 nursing diplomas and certificates are awarded every academic year. Average tuition for nursing programs in IL is about $22,500.

Occupational Therapy
Read about 68 occupational therapy schools and colleges in Chicago, Springfield, Rockford, Elgin, River Forest, Champaign, Aurora, and 49 more cities. Around 2,900 occupational therapy diplomas are granted every academic year. Average tuition for occupational therapy programs in IL - $26,700.

Philosophy
Our directory contains 43 philosophy schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Evanston, Carbondale, Elmhurst, Lisle, Aurora, and 30 more cities. About 600 philosophy degrees are awarded every year. Average tuition for philosophy programs in IL is around $44,600.

Physical Therapy
We reviewed 30 physical therapy schools and colleges in Chicago, Champaign, East Peoria, North Chicago, Belleville, Dekalb, Mattoon, and 24 more cities. About 900 physical therapy degrees are granted every academic year. Average tuition for physical therapy programs in IL is about $24,300.

Physics
We list 36 physics schools and colleges in Chicago, Champaign, Evanston, Naperville, Wheaton, Bloomington, Edwardsville, and 25 more cities. Approximately 800 physics degrees are awarded every year. Average tuition for physics programs in IL is around $43,000.

Political Science
We list 45 political science schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Carbondale, Elmhurst, Lebanon, Aurora, Decatur, and 31 other cities. Approximately 2,000 political science diplomas and certificates are awarded every academic year. Average tuition for political science programs in IL is approximately $39,800.

Psychology
We list 69 psychology schools and colleges in Chicago, Evanston, Elgin, River Forest, Rockford, Aurora, Decatur, and 44 more cities. Approximately 7,500 psychology diplomas and certificates are awarded every year. Average tuition for psychology programs in IL: $30,800.

Resort and Hospitality
Our listing contains 20 resort and hospitality schools and colleges in Chicago, Freeport, Springfield, Decatur, Palos Hills, Champaign, Joliet, and 13 other cities. About 200 resort and hospitality degrees are awarded each year. Average tuition for resort and hospitality programs in IL - $21,100.

Social Work
Our listing contains 65 social work schools and colleges in Chicago, Rockford, River Forest, Elgin, Peoria, Joliet, Aurora, and 37 more cities. About 4,300 social work degrees are granted every academic year. Average tuition for social work programs in IL: $35,600.

Sociology and Anthropology
We reviewed 47 sociology and anthropology schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Aurora, Decatur, Galesburg, Naperville, Springfield, and 32 other cities. Around 1,600 sociology and anthropology diplomas and certificates are awarded each academic year. Average tuition for sociology and anthropology programs in IL is roughly $35,100.

Theater and Drama
We list 44 theater and drama schools and colleges in Chicago, River Forest, Champaign, Aurora, Deerfield, Greenville, Naperville, and 32 more cities. Approximately 1,000 theater and drama degrees are granted every academic year. Average tuition for theater and drama programs in IL is around $36,500.

Work and Family Studies
Read about 65 work and family studies schools and colleges in Chicago, Champaign, Joliet, Normal, Rockford, Carterville, Danville, and 42 other cities. Approximately 1,600 work and family studies diplomas and certificates are awarded every year. Average tuition for work and family studies programs in IL is about $21,100.