Academic Comparison between Northwestern and Northeastern Illinois

Northwestern College and Northeastern Illinois University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Northwestern is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Orange City, IA and Northeastern Illinois is a four-year, public school located in Chicago, IL.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Northwestern is a private (not-for-profit) and Northeastern Illinois is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Northwestern has more expensive tuition & fees ($36,710) than Northeastern Illinois ($22,726).
  • It is harder to admit to Northeastern Illinois than Northwestern.
  • Northeastern Illinois has more students with 5,734 students while Northwestern has 1,705 students.
  • Northeastern Illinois has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while Northwestern's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Northeastern Illinois has more full-time faculties with 250 faculties while Northwestern has 84 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Northwestern Collegevs.Northeastern Illinois University
Orange City, IowaLocationChicago, Illinois
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (medium programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$36,7102025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,383
Out-Of-State$22,726
97%% Receiving Financial Aid73%
$23,305Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,449
80.36 %Acceptance Rates74.60 %
27.18 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)8.49 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
66 %Graduation Rate22 %
13 %Transfer-out Rate-
73 %Retention Rate52 %
1,705Student Population5,734
84Number of Faculties250
15 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare