Academic Comparison between Wheaton and Northern Illinois

Wheaton College and Northern Illinois University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Wheaton is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Wheaton, IL and Northern Illinois is a four-year, public school located in Dekalb, 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.

  • Wheaton is a private (not-for-profit) and Northern Illinois is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Wheaton has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,546) than Northern Illinois ($13,060).
  • It is harder to admit to Northern Illinois than Wheaton.
  • Northern Illinois has more students with 15,414 students while Wheaton has 2,874 students.
  • Wheaton has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while Northern Illinois's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Northern Illinois has more full-time faculties with 820 faculties while Wheaton has 193 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Wheaton Collegevs.Northern Illinois University
Wheaton, IllinoisLocationDekalb, Illinois
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationResearch University (high research activity)
$45,5462025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$13,060
Out-Of-State$13,060
92%% Receiving Financial Aid86%
$24,496Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,589
87.40 %Acceptance Rates69.79 %
29.89 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)12.06 %
1,380SAT Score-
30ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate49 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
93 %Retention Rate70 %
2,874Student Population15,414
193Number of Faculties820
10 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio15 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare