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Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, IL · Suburb · 11,301 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$13,391
Average net priceYour net price
In-state · 2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
49%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$57,808
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
70%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

Northern Illinois University (NIU) in DeKalb is a comprehensive public research institution best known for its nationally recognized accountancy program, alongside strong offerings in education, nursing, and engineering. Situated about an hour west of Chicago, the university distinguishes itself through robust undergraduate research opportunities and prestigious research partnerships with nearby federal institutions, including Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab. Campus life is defined by a supportive, diverse community with a high percentage of first-generation students, active NCAA Division I Huskie athletics, and more than 200 student organizations. This classic midwestern college-town environment pairs accessible, high-impact academics with direct pipelines to the vast professional network of the greater Chicago metropolitan area.

Wikipedia:Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. It was founded as "Northern Illinois State Normal School" in 1895 by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld, initially to provide the state with college-educated teachers. In addition to the main campus in DeKalb, it has satellite centers in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon, Illinois.

Location
Dekalb, IL, 60115-2828 · Suburb campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
ORD · Chicago O'Hare
44 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
In-stateOut-of-state
Tuition & fees$13,248$13,248
Housing & food (on campus)$14,160$14,160
Books & supplies$1,200$1,200
Cost of attendance$28,851$28,851 est.
Average net price$13,391Not published
Out-of-state prices
Tuition & fees$13,248
Housing & food (on campus)$14,160
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$28,851 est.
Average net priceNot published
In-state: $13,391
est. = the in-state cost of attendance with out-of-state tuition swapped in; no out-of-state figure is published.
Net price by family income · in-state students, 2023-24
$0–30k
$10,126
$30–48k
$9,854
$48–75k
$12,797
$75–110k
$17,612
$110k+
$21,834
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
49%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
29%
Back for yr 2
70%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
54% graduated · 32% transferred · 14% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$46,113
10 yrs after entry$57,808
Debt
Median at graduation$22,162
Monthly payment$235
Middle 50% owe$8.5k–$27.6k
90th percentile$37,991
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
70%
Test policy
Test free
Checked Sep 2026

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Essay prompts

If Northern Illinois 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 47%Women 53%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
15 : 1
Pell grant
47%
First-gen
38%
Family income
$39,109
Independent
20%
Veterans
0%
Age at entry
21.0
Part-time
11%
Race & ethnicity
White
42%
Hispanic
26%
Black
21%
Asian
6%
Two or more
2%
Non-resident
2%
AI/AN
1%
Unknown
1%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Cross Country
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Gymnastics
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Men's · Women's
  • Softball
    Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field (Indoor)
    Women's
  • Track and Field (Outdoor)
    Women's
  • Volleyball
    Women's
  • Wrestling
    Men's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$46,113
After 10 yrs
$57,808
Psychology, General211
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing153
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods146
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs139
Marketing119
Computer Science110
Business Administration, Management and Operations109
Mechanical Engineering101
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities97
Communication and Media Studies95
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness84
Accounting and Related Services83
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods80
Fine and Studio Arts69
Biology, General66
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services63
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$115M
Full-time faculty
75%
Faculty salary
$11,060/mo
Teaching spend
$14,474
per student
Federal loans
47%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R2 — high research
$34M research spending · 134 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, selective admissions

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