Overview
Northern Illinois University is a less selective public four-year institution in Dekalb, Illinois. The school accepts 70.7% of applicants and enrolls 11,277 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 70.7%
- Total Enrollment
- 11,277
Admission Guide
Apply through the Common Application or NIU's online application portal, with priority deadlines in early March for fall admission and October for spring. You can submit applications later, but your housing and course selection options become more limited as spots fill up.
Engineering and nursing programs require separate applications beyond general admission and maintain higher academic standards than other majors. Computer science also draws more competition. Submit these program applications early since they review candidates on a rolling basis and stop accepting students once cohorts reach capacity.
Housing applications open in October for the following fall semester, and residence halls fill quickly. Submit your housing contract and deposit as soon as you receive admission confirmation. Greek life occupies a significant portion of campus social life, and many students join organizations during spring rush.
The DeKalb campus sits about 65 miles west of Chicago, accessible by train but requiring planning for trips to the city. Winter weather impacts campus life significantly, so prepare for snow and freezing temperatures from November through March. The campus provides extensive covered walkways and tunnels connecting major buildings.
Register for summer orientation as early as possible after admission. Earlier orientation dates give you better class schedules since course registration happens during these sessions. Academic advisors assign you a time slot based on your intended major and credit hours.
Financial aid applications require the FAFSA, due by March 1 for priority consideration. Illinois residents should also complete the state grant application. Work-study positions become available through the student employment office, with on-campus jobs typically easier to secure than off-campus opportunities in the smaller DeKalb area.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $12,909/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $12,700
- Tuition (out-of-state)
- $12,700
- Students Receiving Aid
- 46%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 49.6%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $57,808/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 70.4%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the application deadlines for Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University has rolling admissions for fall semester with priority deadline of March 1. Spring semester applications are due November 1.
Does Northern Illinois University require SAT or ACT scores?
Northern Illinois University is test-optional. Students can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of their application.
What GPA do you need to get into Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University does not publish a minimum GPA requirement. The middle 50% of admitted students typically have GPAs between 3.0 and 3.7.
How many transfer credits does Northern Illinois University accept?
Northern Illinois University accepts up to 64 credit hours from community colleges and up to 90 credit hours from four-year institutions. Students must complete at least 30 credit hours at NIU to graduate.