National Louis University campus
National Louis University logo

National Louis University

Type 4 year, Private
Business Model Non Profit
Campus locale City: Large
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate
Calendar system Quarter
Student body size Medium
Common app member Yes
Student to faculty ratio 16 to 1
Acceptance rate 97%
Students retention rate 61%
On-time graduation rate 34%

Located in Chicago, Illinois, NLU is a private, non profit institution that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees. NLU operates on a quarter-based calendar system, dividing the academic year into four terms.

The acceptance rate of 97% indicates that NLU is open to a wide range of applicants, providing opportunities for a diverse student body.

National Louis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring that the institution meets certain standards of quality and effectiveness. This accreditation also allows students to transfer credits to other accredited institutions if they choose to continue their education elsewhere.

The student-to-faculty ratio at NLU is 16-to-1, which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages. The state average student-to-faculty ratio in Illinois is 14-to-1, while the national average is 12-to-1. A lower student-to-faculty ratio generally allows for more personalized attention and interaction between students and faculty.

While the on-time graduation rate at NLU is reported to be 34%, it is essential to consider the context of this statistic. For comparison, Illinois state's graduation rate for the 2021-2022 was 48% whereas the national average was 58%.

The retention rate of students at NLU is 61% , which is lower than both the state and national averages. The state average retention rate in Illinois is 70%, while the national average is 74%. This indicates that a significant proportion of students who enroll at NLU do not continue their studies after the first year.


  • Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

97%

In-State Tuition & Fees

$11,505

Cost of attendance at National Louis University in 2022 for students from Illinois.

See how the college's in-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Illinois's average $13,029
National average $30,235

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$11,505

Cost of attendance at National Louis University in 2022 for the out-of-state and international students

See how the college's out-of-state sticker price compares to 4 year Non Profit, private colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Illinois's average $19,104
National average $30,238

Average Grant & Scholarships

In 2022, 93 of freshman students at National Louis University received on average $8,931 in grant and scholarships from the college, the state and/or the federal government. Below is detail stats of the aid provided to full-time, freshman students.

$8,931
Students Receiving Aid Average Amount Total Amount
Pell Grant 506 80% $4,692 $2,374,159
Other Federal Grant 532 84% $4,910 $2,611,983
State Grant/Scholarships 541 86% $4,462 $2,413,977
Institutional Grant/Scholarships 62 10% $3,782 $234,490
Total Grant & Scholarships 589 93% $8,931 $5,260,450

Graduation Rate

The following chart shows the graduation rate of National Louis University students who enrolled in 2015 and after. The stat covers all undergraduates registered as full-time students to study a 4-year bachelor's degree program for the first time.

The breakdown shows the graduation rate by race/ethnicity of US students. All international students are represented under one group.

As of August 31, 2021, the average graduation rate of National Louis University students is 33.8%. Female students graduated at a rate of 35.1%, whereas male students graduated at a rate of 30.4%.

33.8%

  • African American 30.8% 12 students
  • hispanic 34.3% 12 students

Service Offerings

National Louis University provides the following additional services to its students
  • Remedial services
  • Placement services for graduates
  • Academic/career counseling services
  • Employment services for students

Educational Offerings

National Louis University offers educational programs in the following categories. Check the programs section to learn more about specific programs that you are interested in.
  • Academic
  • Occupational
  • Adult basic remedial or high school equivalent

Special Learning Opportunities

  • Weekend/evening classes
  • Teacher certification

Veteran Services

  • Member of Service-members Opportunity Colleges
  • Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military service-members, and their families
  • Recognized student veteran organization
  • Credit for military training
  • Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program)