Northern Illinois University (NIU) vs Michigan Tech
Northern Illinois University (NIU) and Michigan Technological University (MTU) are two distinct institutions with unique offerings. NIU, located in DeKalb, Illinois, boasts an acceptance rate of 84%, while MTU, situated in Houghton, Michigan, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 74%. NIU's student body is predominantly undergraduate, with a diverse population representing various backgrounds. In contrast, MTU has a higher proportion of graduate students and is known for its strong engineering and technology programs. Both universities offer a wide range of academic programs, but NIU excels in fields like business, education, and nursing, while MTU specializes in engineering, computer science, and forestry. With different graduation rates, costs, and campus environments, NIU and MTU cater to different student preferences. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which university aligns better with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Michigan Technological University |
![]() Northern Illinois University |
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Overview |
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Location | Houghton, Michigan | Dekalb, Illinois |
Campus setting | Town: Remote | 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 | 85.0% | 67.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 85.7% | 70.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | 1130 - 1335 | N/A |
ACT range | 25 - 31 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 70.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 28.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 8,041 | 22,602 |
Total number of admissions given out | 6,895 | 15,922 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,479 | 2,285 |
Yield rate | 21.5% | 14.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | 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:
$32,210
Out of state:
$53,356
|
$27,218 |
Average net price | $17,826 | $13,265 |
Tuition |
In state:
$16,654
Out of state:
$37,800
|
$9,606 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,509
Meal plan:
$5,146
|
$11,098 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $14,609 |
98.0%
Average amount $13,008 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
51.0%
Average amount $5,073 |
58.0%
Average amount $5,313 |
Students taking out private loans |
14.0%
Average amount $14,311 |
5.0%
Average amount $11,726 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,777
Men 70.7% Women 29.3% |
11,834
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
Graduate students |
1,231
Men 69.8% Women 30.2% |
4,400
Men 40.8% Women 59.2% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 8.8% | 4.6% |
Campus local/setting | Town: Remote | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 3,062 | 4,500 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 15:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.1% | 50.8% |
Dropout rate | 8.0% | 46.9% |
Transferred out | 20.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Materials Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (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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