Northern Illinois University
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.
At a glance
- Acceptance rate: 70%
- Average net price: $14,243
- Undergraduate enrollment: 12,379
- Graduation rate (150%): 49%
- Graduation rate (200%): 53%
- 8-year Outcome Measures award rate: 71%
- Student to faculty ratio: 15:1
- Median earnings (10 years): $57,808
- Median earnings (8 years): $51,305
- Median earnings (6 years): $46,113
- Control: Public
- Locale: Suburb, small
- Calendar: Semester
- City: Dekalb, IL
Majors and programs
The most common programs at Northern Illinois University include Psychology, Nursing, Computer Science.
- Psychology (213 bachelor's) · median earnings $49,669 4 years after graduation · median debt $21,375
- Nursing (124 bachelor's) · median earnings $75,557 1 year after graduation · median debt $25,000
- Computer Science (120 bachelor's) · median earnings $93,438 4 years after graduation · median debt $21,004
- Mechanical Engineering (119 bachelor's) · median earnings $86,999 4 years after graduation · median debt $23,125
- Health (112 bachelor's) · median earnings $55,778 4 years after graduation · median debt $22,500
- Marketing (109 bachelor's) · median earnings $76,373 4 years after graduation · median debt $21,500
- Accounting (104 bachelor's) · median earnings $83,573 4 years after graduation · median debt $15,342
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (93 bachelor's) · median earnings $57,697 4 years after graduation · median debt $25,000
- Elementary Education and Teaching (77 bachelor's) · median earnings $50,385 4 years after graduation · median debt $24,545
- Management Science (75 bachelor's) · median earnings $71,040 4 years after graduation · median debt $20,000
Degree mix: Business 32%, Engineering 13%, Computer Science 16%, Health 21%, Biological Sciences 3%, Psychology 11%, Communication 4%.
Award levels offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral.
Cost
Northern Illinois University students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $10,126 a year after aid.
- Net price, $0 to $30,000: $10,126
- Net price, $30,001 to $48,000: $9,854
- Net price, $48,001 to $75,000: $12,797
- Net price, $75,001 to $110,000: $17,612
- Net price, $110,001 and above: $21,834
- In-state tuition and fees: $13,248
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: $13,248
- Books and supplies: $1,200
- On-campus room and board: $14,160
- Off-campus room and board: $13,900
- Off-campus with family: $4,596
- Typical cost of attendance: $28,851
- Sticker vs net gap: 51%
- Students receiving any aid: 100%
- Pell Grant recipients: 47%
- Federal loan recipients: 47%
- Average institutional grant: $6,121
- Average federal loan: $6,544
- Median debt at graduation: $22,162
Admissions
Northern Illinois University admits 70% of applicants. Of students admitted, 12% enrolled.
- Applications: 23,651
- Admitted: 16,505
- Enrolled: 1,991
- Yield (first-choice signal): 12%
Who actually goes here
- Undergraduates: 12,379
- Women: 54%
- Commuter share (estimated): 64%
- Part-time undergraduates: 11%
- Age 25 and older: 10%
- Graduate students: 2,651
- Graduation rate: 49%
- Come back after freshman year: 70%
- First-generation: 38%
Faculty and campus
- Full-time faculty: 59%
- Student to faculty: 15:1
- Professor salary: $129,870
- Associate professor salary: $111,344
- Assistant professor salary: $93,860
- On-campus housing capacity: 4,500
- Meal plan meals per week: 19
- Study abroad: Available
- Online programs: Available
Common questions
What is the Northern Illinois University acceptance rate? Northern Illinois University admits 70% of applicants, based on the latest IPEDS admissions file.
How much does Northern Illinois University cost? Students from families earning $0 to $30,000 pay about $10,126 a year after aid. Average net price is $14,243.
What majors does Northern Illinois University offer? Popular programs include Psychology, Nursing, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Health.
What is the average salary after Northern Illinois University? Median earnings 10 years after entry are $57,808 for Title IV aid recipients in College Scorecard.
What is the Northern Illinois University graduation rate? In the IPEDS Outcome Measures cohort, 71% earned an award within eight years. The first-time, full-time 150% graduation rate is 49%.
Scorecard earnings and debt cover Title IV aid recipients, not cash-pay or private-loan students. Northern Illinois University official site: https://niu.edu.