Northern Illinois Academic Snapshot
Admission Selectiveness:
- Admission Rate: 69.79%. Moderately selective, indicating a less competitive admission process.
Tuition Overview:
- In-State Tuition: $13,060
- Out-of-State Tuition: $13,060
- In-state tuition is affordable, while out-of-state tuition is higher, as is typical for public institutions.
Student Population at Northern Illinois:
- Total Enrollment: 15,414, including 2,197 online students
- 11,348 Undergraduate, 4,066 Graduate
- Gender Distribution: 45.2% men, 54.8% women.
- This is a large institution, providing extensive academic options and vibrant campus life.
Graduation & Retention Rate
- Graduation Rate: 49%. Lower graduation rate, which may reflect challenges in student retention or completion.
- First-Year Retention Rate: 70%. Good retention, typical for many institutions.
Programs & Degrees Offered
- Programs Offered: 167 academic programs available.
- Online Programs: 11 programs available fully online.
- Graduate Programs: 97 graduate-level programs offered.
- Special Programs: Law School, Health Professions.
- Degrees Awarded: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's.
Northern Illinois Overview
Northern Illinois University (Northern Illinois) is a four-year, public school located in Dekalb, IL. It is classified as Research University with high research activity by Carnegie Classification, also known as R2 University. You can compare their tuition and admission statistics at R2 University comparison page.
The Northern Illinois's tuition & fees is $13,060 for Illinois residents and $13,060 for out-of-state students for the academic year 2024-2025. 86% of the enrolled undergraduates have received grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $12,589.
The school has a total enrollment of 15,414 and the students to faculty ratio is 15 to 1 (6.67%).
Northern Illinois's acceptance rate is 69.79% and the yield (enrollment rate) is 12.06%.
Northern Illinois ranked 227th in National Universities and 29th in Illinois Colleges rankings. Northern Illinois University is accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
2025 Tuition & Fees and 2026 Estimation
For undergraduate programs, the 2025 tuition & fees of Northern Illinois University is $13,060 for in-state students and $13,060 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, its 2025 tuition & fees is $9,176 for in-state students and $9,176 for out-of-state students.
The estimated 2026 tuition & fees for prospective students is $13,639 for Illinois residents and $13,639 for out-of-state students based on the current year tuition changes from last year. The estimated 2026 graduate school tuition & fees is $9,263 for Illinois residents and $9,263 for out-of-state students.
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $13,060 | $13,060 |
|---|
| Graduate | $9,176 | $9,176 |
|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Undergraduate | $13,639 | $13,639 |
|---|
| Graduate | $9,263 | $9,263 |
|---|
The estimation for 2025-2026 tuition costs is based on the cost change rates of last year.
Learning Opportunities and Campus Services
Northern Illinois University offers online classes (distance learning opportunities) for both undergraduate and graduate programs. It has ROTC programs and offers teacher certification programs designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers.
Special Learning Opportunities at Northern Illinois
| Learning Opportunities |
|---|
| ROTC | Army |
|---|
| Weekend/Evening College | Yes |
|---|
| Teacher Certification | Yes |
|---|
| Study Abroad | Yes |
|---|
| On-Campus Services |
|---|
| Academic/career counseling service | Yes |
|---|
| Employment services for students | Yes |
|---|
| Placement services for completers | Yes |
|---|
| On-campus day care for students' children | Yes |
|---|
Northern Illinois University Directory Information
Tools for analyzing and comparing Northern Illinois