Youngstown State University (YSU) vs Northern Illinois University (NIU)
Youngstown State University (YSU) and Northern Illinois University (NIU) are two public universities located in Ohio and Illinois, respectively. Both institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, but there are some key differences between the two. YSU has a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to NIU (68%), making it a more accessible option for students. In terms of student body demographics, YSU has a larger undergraduate population (11,686) than NIU (9,858), and a higher percentage of female students (56% vs. 52%). NIU, on the other hand, has a higher graduation rate (62%) compared to YSU (58%). To help you make an informed decision about which university is the right fit for you, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into more details, including popular majors, tuition fees, and campus life.
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![]() Northern Illinois University |
![]() Youngstown State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Dekalb, Illinois | Youngstown, Ohio |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | City: 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 | 67.0% | 75.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 70.4% | 78.1% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$45
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | N/A | 930 - 1180 |
ACT range | N/A | 18 - 24 |
Students submitting SAT score | 15.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 79.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 22,602 | 6,718 |
Total number of admissions given out | 15,922 | 5,250 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,285 | 1,627 |
Yield rate | 14.4% | 31.0% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $27,218 |
In state:
$24,312
Out of state:
$24,672
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Average net price | $13,265 | $12,290 |
Tuition | $9,606 |
In state:
$9,953
Out of state:
$10,313
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Room & board | $11,098 | $9,775 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
98.0%
Average amount $13,008 |
79.0%
Average amount $8,912 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
58.0%
Average amount $5,313 |
49.0%
Average amount $5,110 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $11,726 |
4.0%
Average amount $10,348 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
11,834
Men 47.1% Women 52.9% |
9,377
Men 44.1% Women 55.9% |
Graduate students |
4,400
Men 40.8% Women 59.2% |
1,921
Men 34.1% Women 65.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Very Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 16.7% |
International students | 4.6% | 3.0% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 4,500 | 1,154 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | Ohio Pennsylvania New York Illinois West Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 15:1 | 17:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 50.8% | 47.0% |
Dropout rate | 46.9% | 29.4% |
Transferred out | N/A | 19.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
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