B
Good
Score: 63/100

Northern Illinois University

4-Year Public
📍 Dekalb, Illinois 60115
Outcomes
B
66/100
Affordability
C+
61/100
Resources
C+
64/100
Experience
B+
77/100
Prestige
C
48/100

Quick Stats

15,504
Total Enrollment
50%
Graduation Rate
70%
Retention Rate
14.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
70%
Acceptance Rate
$13,533
Avg Net Price
🏠 Housing Market Near Northern Illinois University

2% of students live off-campus (not with family), creating consistent rental demand near campus. That's approximately 310 students who need housing.

Avg Home Value
$266,319
Avg Monthly Rent
$1,394
1-Year Change
+8.9%
For parents & investors

The Northern Illinois University Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $266,319
  • Avg rent near campus: $1,394/mo
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 60112 (4.4% cap, Dekalb)

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🏆 Where Northern Illinois University Ranks

Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.

#5
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other
of 35 schools
#17
Special Education and Teaching, General
of 100 schools
#28
Information Technology
of 100 schools
#30
Human Development and Family Studies, General
of 74 schools

Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $9,792 $9,792
Total Cost (On-Campus) $29,636 $29,636

Financial Aid

99%
Receive Any Aid
57%
Receive Pell Grants
58%
Take Out Loans
$13,533
Avg Net Price

Net Price by Family Income

Family Income Average Net Price
$0 - $30,000$9,047
$30,001 - $48,000$9,740
$48,001 - $75,000$12,674
$75,001 - $110,000$17,806
$110,001+$21,307

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Psychology, General 246 grads/yr Computer Science 233 grads/yr Business Administration and Management, General 207 grads/yr Information Technology 144 grads/yr Mechanical Engineering 137 grads/yr Accounting 130 grads/yr Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 124 grads/yr Management Science 116 grads/yr Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other 113 grads/yr Special Education and Teaching, General 112 grads/yr Marketing/Marketing Management, General 112 grads/yr Law 94 grads/yr Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies 93 grads/yr Electrical and Electronics Engineering 84 grads/yr Elementary Education and Teaching 77 grads/yr Biology/Biological Sciences, General 75 grads/yr Speech Communication and Rhetoric 73 grads/yr English Language and Literature, General 71 grads/yr Human Development and Family Studies, General 71 grads/yr Industrial Engineering 66 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from Northern Illinois University's top programs commonly pursue.

Managers, all other
$137k/yr 1,333,700 jobs
Psychologists, all other
$118k/yr 55,300 jobs
Industrial-organizational psychologists
$110k/yr 5,600 jobs
Clinical and counseling psychologists
$96k/yr 76,300 jobs
Psychology teachers, postsecondary
$80k/yr 52,500 jobs
Social science research assistants
$58k/yr 40,600 jobs
Computer and information systems managers
$171k/yr 667,100 jobs
Computer and information research scientists
$141k/yr 40,300 jobs

Student Demographics

15,504
Total Students
55%
Women
62%
Traditional Age (18-24)
2%
Off-Campus Renters

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 44%
Hispanic 21%
Black 18%
Asian 6%
Two or More 2%
Non-Resident 7%

🏠 Living Arrangements

On Campus 91%
Off-Campus (Renters) 2%
With Family 7%
🏘️ Rental Demand: ~310 students need off-campus housing

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 35%
Hybrid (Some Online) 51%
Fully Online 14%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 62%
25-64 (Adult) 9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University has an acceptance rate of 70%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Northern Illinois University?
Tuition at Northern Illinois University is $9,792 for in-state students and $9,792 for out-of-state students . However, the average net price after financial aid is $13,533.
What is the graduation rate at Northern Illinois University?
The graduation rate at Northern Illinois University is 50%. This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Northern Illinois University a good school?
Northern Illinois University has a Repit College Score of 63/100 (Grade: B). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (C): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University has a total enrollment of 15,504 students.
Is there rental demand near Northern Illinois University?
Yes! Approximately 2% of students at Northern Illinois University live off-campus (not with family). That's roughly 310 students who need rental housing near campus.

Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Northern Illinois University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →

🎓 Similar Colleges to Northern Illinois University

Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.

B
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Carbondale, IL · 11,359 students
B
University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago, IL · 33,522 students
C+
Illinois State University
Normal, IL · 20,989 students
C+
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL · 12,045 students
C+
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, IL · 8,804 students
C+
University of Illinois Springfield
Springfield, IL · 4,661 students

Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: September 2026 | Methodology