Northern Illinois University (NIU) vs IU Northwest
Northern Illinois University (NIU) and Indiana University-Northwest (IUN) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. NIU, located in DeKalb, Illinois, boasts a higher acceptance rate (79%) compared to IUN's 71%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with NIU excelling in fields like Business, Engineering, and Education, while IUN shines in Nursing, Social Work, and Criminal Justice. NIU's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students and a slightly larger overall enrollment. In terms of graduation rates, NIU has a slight edge over IUN, with a 59% graduation rate compared to IUN's 56%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these aspects and more, providing valuable insights to guide your choice.
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![]() Indiana University-Northwest |
![]() Northern Illinois University |
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Overview |
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Location | Gary, Indiana | Dekalb, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Small | Suburb: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 64.0% | 67.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.5% | 70.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$35
Graduate:
$40
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Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 940 - 1140 | N/A |
ACT range | 17 - 26 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 18.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 6.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 1,660 | 22,602 |
Total number of admissions given out | 1,419 | 15,922 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 482 | 2,285 |
Yield rate | 34.0% | 14.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$21,979
Out of state:
$35,086
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$27,218 |
Average net price | $5,625 | $13,265 |
Tuition |
In state:
$7,170
Out of state:
$20,277
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$9,606 |
Room & board | $11,098 | |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
78.0%
Average amount $6,616 |
98.0%
Average amount $13,008 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
34.0%
Average amount $4,764 |
58.0%
Average amount $5,313 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $7,036 |
5.0%
Average amount $11,726 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,063
Men 26.7% Women 73.3% |
11,834
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
Graduate students |
397
Men 25.7% Women 74.3% |
4,400
Men 40.8% Women 59.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 1.7% | N/A |
International students | 0.5% | 4.6% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 4,500 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Indiana Illinois Hawaii | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 14:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 37.6% | 50.8% |
Dropout rate | 36.5% | 46.9% |
Transferred out | 23.5% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Bachelor's Degrees)
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Health (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
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