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National Louis University

National Louis University

Chicago, IL · City · 4,406 students
WebsiteCommon AppScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$12,641
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
33%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
58% typical
$45,799
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$55,545 typical
95%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

National Louis University (NLU), located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is widely recognized for its historic legacy in teacher preparation through the renowned National College of Education and its acclaimed Kendall College of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. The university fosters a highly diverse, supportive, and career-focused campus culture tailored to both traditional undergraduates and adult learners who value flexibility, commuting convenience, and real-world application. What truly sets NLU apart is its innovative Harrison Professional Pathways program, which offers highly affordable, structured bachelor’s degrees paired with personalized success coaching to seamlessly guide students into the Chicago workforce.

Wikipedia:National Louis University (NLU) is a private university with its main campus in Chicago, Illinois, United States. NLU enrolls undergraduate and graduate students in more than 60 programs across its four colleges. It has locations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area as well as a regional campus in Tampa, Florida, where it serves students from 13 counties in that state's central region.

Location
Chicago, IL, 60603 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MDW · Chicago Midway
9 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$12,705
Books & supplies$0
Cost of attendance$24,154
Average net price$12,641
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$12,705
Books & supplies$0
Cost of attendance$24,154
Average net price$12,641
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$12,462
$30–48k
$11,567
$48–75k
$12,996
$75–110k
$15,447
$110k+
$17,956
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
33%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
24%
Back for yr 2
50%
Transferred
13%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
33% graduated · 20% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 46% left or unknown
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$43,562
10 yrs after entry$45,799
Debt
Median at graduation$19,750
Monthly payment$209
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$23.1k
90th percentile$32,208
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
95%
Test policy
Not required
Per College Scorecard

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Essay prompts

If National Louis University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 25%Women 75%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
17 : 1
Pell grant
55%
First-gen
50%
Family income
$24,269
Independent
68%
Veterans
2%
Age at entry
30.0
Part-time
35%
Race & ethnicity
White
14%
Hispanic
50%
Black
22%
Asian
2%
Two or more
2%
Non-resident
6%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$43,562
After 10 yrs
$45,799
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods171
Criminology67
Business Administration, Management and Operations59
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services56
Psychology, General54
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other52
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods52
Computer and Information Sciences, General47
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other28
Health and Medical Administrative Services25
Hospitality Administration/Management22
Communication and Media Studies20
Social Work19
Culinary Arts and Related Services14
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology1
Business/Commerce, General1
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$73M
Full-time faculty
98%
Faculty salary
$6,891/mo
Teaching spend
$5,908
per student
Federal loans
22%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Research activity
Research college or university
$4M research spending · 96 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if National Louis University is the right fit for you?

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