Northeastern Illinois University 2026 Admission 75%, Cost $3

Q: How hard is it to get into Northeastern Illinois University?

Northeastern Illinois University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 74.6%. Strong applicants typically have above-average test scores, a rigorous course load, and compelling extracurricular activities.

Q: How much does Northeastern Illinois University cost?

Tuition at Northeastern Illinois University is approximately $22,726 per year before financial aid. Room, board, fees, and personal expenses add to the total cost of attendance. Most students receive scholarships or financial aid that reduces the net price.

Q: How many students attend Northeastern Illinois University?

Northeastern Illinois University enrolls approximately 3,982 students across its programs.

Q: What is the graduation rate at Northeastern Illinois University?

The graduation rate at Northeastern Illinois University is 22%, reflecting the percentage of students who complete their degree within the standard timeframe.

Q: What is the student-faculty ratio at Northeastern Illinois University?

The student-faculty ratio at Northeastern Illinois University is 14:1, meaning students typically have good access to faculty for mentoring, research, and smaller class experiences.

Q: What SAT and ACT scores do I need for Northeastern Illinois University?

Northeastern Illinois University typically admits students with SAT scores in the range of 300 - 465 (Reading) and 425 - 455 (Math) and ACT composite scores of 16 - 20. Check the admissions office for the most current testing requirements and whether test-optional policies apply.

Q: Is Northeastern Illinois University a public or private university?

Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution.

Q: When is the application deadline for Northeastern Illinois University?

Application deadlines at Northeastern Illinois University vary by program. Early Decision and Early Action applicants typically submit in November, while Regular Decision deadlines fall in early January. Always check the official admissions website for the current cycle's dates.

74.60%

Acceptance Rate

$6,266

Avg.Financial Aid

001693

FAFSA Code

College Search

★ Northeastern Illinois University Report Card

Selectivity

—

74.6% acceptance rate

Academics

—

22% graduation rate

Class Size

14:1 student-faculty ratio

Value

B+

$22,726 tuition

Grades calculated by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES data. Methodology: How we grade →

★ Key Facts: Northeastern Illinois University

Institution: Northeastern Illinois University
Type: Public

Data compiled by The College Monk from IPEDS/NCES and official university sources. Last verified July 2026. Citable source →

Northeastern Illinois University

Type Control of Institution - Public/Private
Public
Acceptance Rate:
N/A
Level
4 Years
Religious Affiliation Indicates religious affiliation (denomination) for private not-for-profit institutions that are religiously affiliated.
Not applicable
Accreditation Accreditation is the process by which the quality of learning at various educational institutions are evaluated. Read More.
HLC
Website
www.neiu.edu/
Student Population Number of Students attending College
3,982
On Campus Housing Does the institution provide on-campus housing?
Yes

Northeastern Illinois University is a public university in Chicago serving an urban, working-class student body with serious academics at a reasonable price. You're getting a legitimate university education without the sticker shock of private schools or the campus insularity of schools in small towns. Faculty are scholars and teachers; the research mission doesn't overshadow teaching, especially for undergraduates. Your classes are taught by professors, not TAs, and your academic experience actually matters.

The student body is diverse, working, and serious about education. Chicago's location gives you real internship opportunities and a job market that values the degree. Class sizes vary, but introductory courses aren't massive lecture halls. Tuition is manageable for a four-year degree, and you're getting genuine university education without paying Ivy League prices.

Location & Contact

Address

5500 N Saint Louis Ave, Chicago, Illinois

Contact

Phone: (773) 583-4050

Find Your School

Rankings

It becomes easier for the aspirants to apply to a university and have their doubts regarding the same cleared if the university has a ranking. When it comes to the ranking of a university or any educational institution, the more information a student has, the better. The ranking of a university helps a student in many ways. It helps them overcome the confusion of which university/college is good for them and also other prospects. Before taking admission, a student assesses their chosen university on various factors like research excellence, the performance of its students after graduation, and their experience, among others. Notably, for the rankings, the two publications, US News and Forbes, are trusted everywhere. However, it is to be noted that Northeastern Illinois University does not feature in the list of top colleges, according to the latest ranking by these two publications.

Admissions

Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.
1st Aug
Acceptance Rate Percentage of applicants who are accepted in an Institution.
74.60%
SAT Range
380 - 490
SAT/ACT
Neither required nor recommended
ACT Range
15 - 22
High School GPA
Neither required nor recommended
Application Fee
$30
Accept Common App
None

Admission to the university is easy and the students are recommeded to make the most out of it. The varsity has 2 admission thresholds. The admission process starts by filling up the form and submitting a fee of $30. As per the past trends, the SAT score of a student must lie in the range of 910-1120 to improve her chances. Notably, students securing ACT score less than 15 might also given admission but the average ACT score at Northeastern Illinois University is 18. The application process can be completed online. However, if needed, one can also visit the office at 5500 N Saint Louis Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60625-4699, or call (773) 583-4050.

Full Admission Info Find College Scholarships Request Info

Annual Cost to Attend

Net Price Cost of attendance minus any grants and scholarships received.
$14,109
Average Annual Cost
$12,383

Additional Costs:

Books And Supplies
$31,531
Other Fees
$1,710
Room And Board The charges for an academic year for Rooming accommodations and meals for a typical student.
$11,424
Budget For Other Expenses
$6,489

Total One Year Cost

$31,531

Tuition fees and the cost of living during the course tenure are the next two things that a student should keep in mind before applying to NIU. The full-time cost of attendance is approximately $32,385 per year. If it sounds unaffordable to the applicant, there are numerous financial aid options available that they can explore.

Explore Programs Explore Student Loans Explore Tuition and Cost

Academics

Highest Degree Offered The highest degree offered by the Institution.

Master's degree

Student:Faculty Ratio

14:1

Full-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

52%

Part-Time Retention Rate Percent of the that re-enrolled at the institution as either full- or part-time in the current year.

46%

Academic Calendar

Semester

Research Funding per Student

$547

Faculty Overview

45%

Male Professors

55%

Female Professors

Non-traditional Learning

Evening Degree Programs

Teacher Certification

Distance Education

Study Abroad

Majors

Student Body

Undergraduate Students

6,390

Socio-Economic Diversity Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

48%

Full-time / Part-time

57% / 43%

Students Gender

Male

44%

US National: 44%

Female

56%

US National: 56%

LGBTQIA STUDENT RESOURCE GROUPS

ON CAMPUS WOMEN'S CENTER

Race/Ethnicity

White

29%

Unknown

10%

Black

11%

Hispanic

37%

Two or more races

Non Resident alien

Asian

American Indian/Alaska native

Native Hawaiians/Pacific islander

Geographic Density

High

Unknown Location

Out Of State

98%

In State

Foreign

Economic Diversity

36% percentage of students who recieved an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Median Household Income

$61,979 per year

Campus Life

Housing

The students can reside on campus and N/A of Freshman Live On-Campus.

On Campus Housing Available

Yes

Freshmen Required to Live on Campus

Freshmen Live on Campus

N/A

Undergrads in College Housing

Averege Housing Cost

$8,760/year

Campus Food

The institution does not provide any meal plan options.

Meal Plan Available

Average Meal Plan Available

N/A

Athletes

Division Sports Nickname

The Golden Eagle

School Colors

blue and gold

Varsity Athletics Association

N/A

Varsity Athletics Conference Primary

Not applicable

Total Male Athletes

N/A

Total Female Athletes

N/A

Intramural Sports

Sports Club

Campus Security

The university additionally offers an on-campus housing facility for students who wish to dwell nearby. A candidate will be needed to pay a normal expense of $10,518 per year for living on campus. At Northeastern Illinois University, students are offered well-cooked food keeping in mind their health and nutritional requirements. Additionally, the university offers a wide assortment of dining and meal options to the students. The university considers the safety and security of its students to be paramount. At NIU, campus safety and security features include 24-hr security patrol, campus emergency phones, 24-hr escort safety rides and mobile campus emergency alert. There are around 43% male and 57% female students enrolled at the university.

24-Hour Security Patrol

Campus Emergency Phones

24-Hour Escort Safety rides

Mobile Campus Emergency Alert

After Graduation

Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation

$32,700/year

Median Earnings 10 Years After Graduation

$37,900/year

Median Total Debt After Graduation The median cumulative federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated.

$11,333 - $25,000

Typical Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 4.53% interest rate.

$118 - $259

Outcomes 8 Years of Attending

Show data for students who

and started their studies

Out of 7,811 students

30% Graduated

10% Still Enrolled

15% Transfer

1% Withdraw

Financial Aid

Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid.

67%

Average Aid Per Year

$6,266

Students Receiving Federal Grants

44%

Average Aid Per Year

$5,116

Students Receiving State Aid

56%

Average Aid Per Year

$2,660

Students Receiving Institutional Grants

17%

Average Aid Per Year

$2,815

Average Grant & Scholarship by Family Income Aid awarded based on the family income.

Income

Average Amount

< $30K

$6,497

$30K - $48K

$6,335

$48K - $75K

$4,346

$75K - $110K

$693

Total Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$25,974,277

Total Non-Needs based Scholarships/Grants

$965,266

In case the students at Northeastern Illinois University face any financial issues concerning the fees and cost of living, and find the same to be high, they can seek help from the financial aid department of the varsity. It focuses on settling the issues that students face, and candidates can be assisted with scholarships, grants, and student loans. The average financial aid at Northeastern Illinois University is around $2,556 and the federal grant is $5,087. The students at the university are provided with state aid and institutional aid. The state aid stands at $3,866, while the institutional aid is $2,556. The need-based scholarships awarded to students admitted to Northeastern Illinois University amount to $25,974,277 per annum. Meanwhile, the total non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded in a year total $965,266.

Explore Financial Aid & Scholarships

Frequently Asked Questions About Northeastern Illinois University

How hard is it to get into Northeastern Illinois University?

Northeastern Illinois University is moderately selective, with an acceptance rate of 74.6%. Strong applicants typically have above-average test scores, a rigorous course load, and compelling extracurricular activities.

How much does Northeastern Illinois University cost?

Tuition at Northeastern Illinois University is approximately $22,726 per year before financial aid. Room, board, fees, and personal expenses add to the total cost of attendance. Most students receive scholarships or financial aid that reduces the net price.

How many students attend Northeastern Illinois University?

Northeastern Illinois University enrolls approximately 3,982 students across its programs.

What is the graduation rate at Northeastern Illinois University?

The graduation rate at Northeastern Illinois University is 22%, reflecting the percentage of students who complete their degree within the standard timeframe.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Northeastern Illinois University?

The student-faculty ratio at Northeastern Illinois University is 14:1, meaning students typically have good access to faculty for mentoring, research, and smaller class experiences.

What SAT and ACT scores do I need for Northeastern Illinois University?

Northeastern Illinois University typically admits students with SAT scores in the range of 300 - 465 (Reading) and 425 - 455 (Math) and ACT composite scores of 16 - 20. Check the admissions office for the most current testing requirements and whether test-optional policies apply.

Is Northeastern Illinois University a public or private university?

Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution.

When is the application deadline for Northeastern Illinois University?

Application deadlines at Northeastern Illinois University vary by program. Early Decision and Early Action applicants typically submit in November, while Regular Decision deadlines fall in early January. Always check the official admissions website for the current cycle's dates.

Other Colleges In Illinois

University of Illinois at Chicago

Online Education at UIC

Online programs help students those who seek higher education opportunities but are bound by time and place. The university has been offering distance education programs in Associate degree, Bachelor’s degree, Certificates.

University offers 44 onli

Chicago, Illinois 4 years Public

Lake Forest College

Lake Forest, Illinois 4 years Private Not-For-Profit

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois 4 years Public

View All Colleges in Illinois

Near By Colleges

North Park University (NPU)

Chicago, Illinois 4 years Private Not-For-Profit

Northwestern College - Chicago

Chicago, Illinois 2 years Private For-Profit

DeVry University

Online Education at DeVry University

For adults who are unable to pursue their higher education due to various responsibilities and jobs, the university provides various online courses to excel at various levels such as Associate, Undergraduate, and Bachelor’s degree

Chicago, Illinois 4 years Private For-Profit

View all colleges nearby

Other Public Colleges

Northern Arizona University (NAU)

As of last year's fall semester, 31,066 students were enrolled, in which 27,072 were undergraduate students at the Flagstaff campus. NAU also participates in the Western Undergraduate Exchange Program, which offers lower tuition rates for students from the Western United States.

Flagstaff, Arizona 4 years Public

Lamar University (LU)

Beaumont, Texas 4 years Public

Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville

Knoxville, Tennessee 2 years Public

View All Public Colleges

Need Expert College Admissions Guidance?

Our admissions consultants — HEC Paris & UCL alumni — have helped students get into top universities worldwide. Free initial consultation.

Get Free Consultation →

Northeastern Illinois University — 2026 Profile - Chicago, Illinois

★ Northeastern Illinois University Report Card

★ Key Facts: Northeastern Illinois University

Northeastern Illinois University

Location & Contact

Rankings

Admissions

Annual Cost to Attend

Academics

Majors