About Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University built its reputation on preparing teachers and conducting groundbreaking public administration research. The university enrolls 11,277 students in the small college town of DeKalb, where notable graduates include actress Joan Allen and Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson. NIU accepts about 71% of applicants, making it accessible while maintaining academic standards.
The financial picture looks reasonable for most families. Students pay an average net price of $12,909 after aid, with low-income families paying just $9,047. Graduates earn a median of $57,808 ten years after leaving school, while carrying typical debt of $22,162. Monthly loan payments average $235, which is manageable given the earning potential. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's commitment to serving working-class families.
The student body reflects Illinois diversity, with 21% Black students and 25% Hispanic students. About 93% come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community feel. The Huskies compete in Division I athletics with 17 varsity sports and $7.5 million in athletic scholarships. However, the 50% graduation rate suggests students need strong motivation to finish their degrees successfully.
The financial picture looks reasonable for most families. Students pay an average net price of $12,909 after aid, with low-income families paying just $9,047. Graduates earn a median of $57,808 ten years after leaving school, while carrying typical debt of $22,162. Monthly loan payments average $235, which is manageable given the earning potential. Nearly half of students receive Pell Grants, reflecting the university's commitment to serving working-class families.
The student body reflects Illinois diversity, with 21% Black students and 25% Hispanic students. About 93% come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community feel. The Huskies compete in Division I athletics with 17 varsity sports and $7.5 million in athletic scholarships. However, the 50% graduation rate suggests students need strong motivation to finish their degrees successfully.
Academics & Faculty
Northern Illinois University operates as a public research university with particularly strong credentials in teacher education and public administration. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to professors, though the 51% four-year graduation rate suggests many students take longer to finish their degrees. NIU has built a solid reputation for preparing educators, with its College of Education consistently ranking among the top programs in Illinois. The university also excels in public administration research and policy studies. With 70% of first-year students returning for their sophomore year, the academic environment offers decent support, though students should expect to be self-directed in a larger university setting.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 75.7%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 51.3%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.6%
- Retention Rate
- 70.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $57,808
- Carnegie Classification
- Doctoral University (R2)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $98,186 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $91,587 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $88,920 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Master | $86,867 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Doctoral | $84,913 |
| Taxation. | Master | $78,971 |
| Computer Science. | Master | $75,204 |
| Management Information Systems and Services. | Master | $70,009 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $69,151 |
| Psychology, General. | Doctoral | $68,499 |
Campus Life
DeKalb sits about 65 miles west of Chicago, close enough for weekend trips but far enough to create its own college town atmosphere. With housing capacity for 4,500 students and total enrollment of 11,277, about 40% of students live on campus. The remaining students populate off-campus apartments and houses throughout this small college town of 43,000 residents.
Winter coats are essential here. Northern Illinois winters are harsh, with snow covering campus from December through March. Students bundle up for walks across the sprawling 755-acre campus between classes. The student body reflects Illinois diversity, with 42% White, 25% Hispanic, and 21% Black students creating a active campus community.
Weekends revolve around Huskie athletics in the Mid-American Conference, with 415 student-athletes competing across 17 varsity sports. Students also head to nearby bars and restaurants on Lincoln Highway or catch the train to Chicago for Cubs games and city adventures. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller class discussions, especially in the university's well-known education programs that have been training teachers since 1895.
Winter coats are essential here. Northern Illinois winters are harsh, with snow covering campus from December through March. Students bundle up for walks across the sprawling 755-acre campus between classes. The student body reflects Illinois diversity, with 42% White, 25% Hispanic, and 21% Black students creating a active campus community.
Weekends revolve around Huskie athletics in the Mid-American Conference, with 415 student-athletes competing across 17 varsity sports. Students also head to nearby bars and restaurants on Lincoln Highway or catch the train to Chicago for Cubs games and city adventures. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio means smaller class discussions, especially in the university's well-known education programs that have been training teachers since 1895.
- Setting
- Suburb-Small
- Housing Capacity
- 4,500 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1895
Campus Safety (2023)
283 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence | 72 | 47 | 2 | 3 |
| Rape | 17 | 17 | 2 | 0 |
| Stalking | 20 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| Fondling | 21 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Burglary | 13 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 11 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Dating Violence | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Arson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Robbery | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Statutory Rape | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 12°–27°F
- July Avg
- 62°–83°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 37.0"
- Annual Snowfall
- 31.9"
Student Demographics
Northern Illinois draws almost entirely from within state borders, with 93% of students calling Illinois home. The student body reflects the region's diversity, with significant Black and Hispanic populations alongside white students. Nearly half of all students receive Pell Grants, marking NIU as an accessible option for working-class families. Women slightly outnumber men, which aligns with the university's reputation for strong teacher education programs that historically attract more female students. This demographic mix creates a practical, down-to-earth campus culture focused on career preparation rather than prestige.
- Men
- 47.0%
- Women
- 53.0%
- White
- 42.1%
- Black
- 21.3%
- Hispanic
- 25.1%
- Asian
- 6.6%
- In-State Students
- 92.9%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 45.6%
Location
Northern Illinois University sits in DeKalb, a classic college town 65 miles west of Chicago. The campus serves 11,277 students in Illinois's agricultural heartland, where corn fields meet suburban development. DeKalb's 43,000 residents include a large student population that shapes the town's character around campus life and local businesses. The setting offers small-town charm with big-city access via the Metra commuter rail line to Chicago. Students can reach downtown Chicago in about two hours by train. The surrounding area features rolling farmland and small communities typical of northern Illinois. Students considering colleges in Illinois may also compare Northern Illinois University with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Dekalb, Illinois 60115-2828
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $57,808
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $61,432
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $39,400
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 60.1%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $235/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,162
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University accepts 70.68% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a public research university. The school draws primarily from Illinois, with 92.87% of students coming from in-state.
How much does Northern Illinois University cost after financial aid?
The average net price at Northern Illinois University is $12,909 annually. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay just $9,047 on average, while those from higher-income families ($110,000+) pay around $21,307.
What is Northern Illinois University known for academically?
Northern Illinois University maintains a 14:1 student-faculty ratio across its programs. The university has built a strong reputation for teacher education and public administration research, serving 11,277 students in a small suburban setting.
What are the graduation rates at Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University graduates 51.34% of students within four years and 49.60% within six years. Alumni earn a median of $57,808 ten years after graduation, with graduates like voice actor Dan Castellaneta (Homer Simpson) achieving notable success.
Where do students live at Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University houses students in residence halls with capacity for 4,500 on the DeKalb campus. Room and board costs $12,800 annually, contributing to a total attendance cost of $26,800 for this public research university.
Does Northern Illinois University have Division I athletics?
Northern Illinois University competes in NCAA Division I as part of the Mid-American Conference with 17 varsity sports. The Huskies field 415 total athletes and distribute $7,471,846 in athletic scholarships across their programs.
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