In-State Tuition & Fees

$12,478

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

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

Illinois's average $13,029
National average $8,573

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$12,478

Cost of attendance at Northern Illinois 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 , public colleges in the state as well as nationally.

Illinois's average $19,104
National average $18,862

Average Net Price

The net price represents the amount of money students pay after receiving financial aid. In 2022, the average net price for first-year, full-time students at Northern Illinois University was $13,265. This amount varies among students due to the different levels of financial aid offered based on their family's financial status.

Financial aid includes federal, state, or local government grants and institutional grants and scholarships

Visit the financial aid page for more in-depth stats and analysis of financial aids offered at NIU

NIU net price calculator

$13,265

Below is the average net price of 4 year, public colleges in Illinois and nationwide.

Illinois's average $13,084
National average $12,582
Below is the net price of NIU for the past 10 years categorized by different levels of family income brackets.
Year Average Price Change Less than $30k $30k to $48k $48k to $75k $75k to $110k over $110k
2022 $13,265 $1,132 (8%) $11,594 $12,005 $14,221 $17,912 $21,046
2021 $14,397 $3,950 (22%) $10,395 $11,499 $13,778 $16,882 $20,068
2020 $18,347 $553 (3%) $15,282 $15,862 $18,347 $21,426 $23,364
2019 $18,900 $4,265 (18%) $16,968 $16,859 $18,586 $21,930 $24,660
2018 $23,165 $3,383 (17%) $20,930 $21,093 $22,998 $26,188 $28,005
2017 $19,782 $577 (3%) $17,643 $17,828 $19,488 $22,151 $24,362
2016 $19,205 $672 (4%) $17,030 $17,215 $19,448 $21,565 $23,792
2015 $18,533 $635 (3%) $15,851 $16,769 $19,514 $23,180 $24,374
2014 $19,168 -- $17,122 $17,367 $20,332 $22,718 $23,905

Cost of Attendance Breakdown and Change History

The table below presents the breakdown of Northern Illinois University's in-state sticker price (cost of attendance) into different categories, along with their trends over the past ten years:
Year Sticker Price (COA) Cost Change Tuition & Fees Room & Board Books & Supplies
2022 $27,218 $184 $12,478 $13,440 $1,300
2021 $27,402 $642 (2%) $12,352 $13,750 $1,300
2020 $26,760 $2,358 (8%) $12,390 $13,270 $1,100
2019 $29,118 $268 $14,748 $12,970 $1,400
2018 $28,850 $3,890 (12%) $14,482 $12,968 $1,400
2017 $32,740 $3,675 (13%) $18,120 $13,220 $1,400
2016 $29,065 $842 (3%) $14,295 $13,470 $1,300
2015 $28,223 $119 $13,505 $13,418 $1,300
2014 $28,342 $342 (1%) $12,976 $14,066 $1,300
2013 $28,000 -- $13,066 $13,534 $1,400

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions that may help you in your college cost research.

What kind of housing and meal plans are available at NIU? How much does it cost?
The college provides a combined housing and meal plan at $11,098 per school year. One academic year is typically nine months, so the cost of on-campus housing and meals at NIU is $1,233 per month.
What is the average cost of textbooks and course materials per annum?
NIU estimates that a full-time first-year student would need approximately $1,300.
Are there any additional expenses, such as transportation or personal expenses, that I should consider?
Depending on living arrangement, NIU estimates that students would need the following amount for personal and miscellaneous expenses. This category covers additional costs that students may incur throughout the academic year, such as transportation, personal supplies, and leisure activities.
  • If living on-campus: $2,440
  • If living off-campus, with family: $3,440
  • If living off-campus, not with family: $2,440
How much is NIU application fees?
The application fee for undergraduate students is $40 and $60 for graduates.
Are there any payment plans or options for installment payments?
NIU offers the following payment plans: Other alternative tuition plan

Cost per Credit Hour

Northern Illinois University cost of courses per credit hour.
Undergraduate Programs Graduate Programs
For in-state students $354 $496
For out-of-state students $354 $496

Housing and Meal

NIU requires students to enroll in both the housing and meal plan. Here is a historical data of the housing and meal plan offered at Northern Illinois University for the past 7 years.
Year Meal price Housing price Combined price Max meal per week Dorm capacity
2022 N/A N/A $11,098 19 4,500
2021 N/A N/A $10,880 21 4,600
2020 N/A N/A $10,880 21 4,600
2019 N/A N/A $10,880 21 4,600
2018 N/A N/A $10,880 21 4,600
2017 N/A N/A $10,766 21 5,000
2016 N/A N/A $10,766 21 4,600

Tuition Plans

Tuition plans offered by Northern Illinois University during 2022 academic year.

  • Prepaid tuition plan
    Offered
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
    Offered
  • Tuition payment plan
    Offered
  • Other alternative tuition plan
    Not Offered