At a glance
Average net price
$13,391
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
48.7%
Admission rate
70%
Undergrad size
11,301
In-state tuition
$13,248
Out-of-state tuition
$13,248
Cost of attendance
$28,851
Median earnings (10y)
$57,808
Admissions
- SAT average
- Not available
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 69.6%
- Locale
- Suburb
Programs breakdown
22 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by social sciences (27%), stem (21%), business (18%).
- STEM21%
- Health14%
- Business18%
- Humanities & arts16%
- Social sciences27%
- Trades & services4%
- Business18.0%~2,039 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Health professions13.6%~1,539 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- Education9.9%~1,114 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Psychology8.7%~984 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Engineering8.0%~902 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Social sciences5.0%~568 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~568 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science4.9%~555 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~471 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Liberal arts3.8%~429 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Communication3.0%~342 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~301 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~296 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~231 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- English1.9%~217 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering tech1.8%~199 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- History1.6%~185 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~124 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Mathematics0.9%~102 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~73 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~33 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~28 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 404 | $28,265 | $24,194 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 321 | $91,161 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 319 | $61,111 | $31,000 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. | Bachelor's | 292 | $27,550 | $27,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 273 | $38,000 | $25,250 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 258 | $48,290 | $22,500 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master's | 247 | — | — |
| Marketing. | Bachelor's | 244 | $44,627 | $23,875 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 242 | $58,306 | $22,966 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 216 | $64,752 | $25,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 209 | $34,427 | $27,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 205 | $53,726 | $18,500 |
| Law. | First professional | 194 | $49,788 | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 190 | $31,525 | $27,418 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master's | 182 | $50,679 | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Bachelor's | 174 | $45,481 | $21,600 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 172 | $34,748 | $30,839 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master's | 157 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 157 | $26,004 | $25,781 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 146 | $35,021 | $23,630 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Bachelor's | 135 | $29,956 | $31,000 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 130 | $31,084 | $27,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master's | 125 | $51,547 | — |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General. | Bachelor's | 114 | $54,379 | $27,274 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor's | 104 | $53,625 | $19,500 |
| Computer Science. | Master's | 97 | $74,606 | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master's | 96 | $53,640 | — |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 90 | $30,604 | $25,375 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Bachelor's | 88 | $40,969 | $21,452 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor's | 88 | $24,927 | $22,500 |
| Marketing. | Master's | 84 | — | — |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | 80 | $118,716 | — |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 79 | $33,211 | $27,000 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 79 | $32,454 | $22,500 |
| Public Health. | Master's | 78 | $49,533 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor's | 77 | $40,364 | $26,746 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor's | 76 | $70,234 | $25,000 |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 72 | $34,406 | $29,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 71 | $32,157 | $26,625 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Bachelor's | 71 | $36,776 | $29,804 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a large institution located in Dekalb, Illinois, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 11,301 undergraduate students in a suburb setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Health professions, Education.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Northern Illinois University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $13,391 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $13,248 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $28,851 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 48.7%, a average completion outcome. 69.6% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $57,808 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Northern Illinois University confers degrees and certificates across 22 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Health professions, Education. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by social sciences (27% of credentials), stem (21% of credentials), business (18% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Northern Illinois University accepts 70% of applicants, making it moderately selective.
Location & campus
Set in Dekalb, Illinois (suburb), Northern Illinois University draws students from across Illinois and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Northern Illinois University
Q.How much does Northern Illinois University cost?
The average net price at Northern Illinois University is $13,391 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $28,851.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University has a 6-year graduation rate of 48.7% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University admits 70% of applicants, which is considered moderately selective.
Q.How much do Northern Illinois University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Northern Illinois University graduate earns $57,808 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Northern Illinois University?
Published tuition is $13,248 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Northern Illinois University located?
Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois (ZIP 60115).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Northern Illinois University at their official website.