Northern Illinois University

1425 Lincoln Highway
DeKalb, IL 60115

View map for Northern Illinois University

https://www.niu.edu/
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Main telephone 815-753-1000
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Educational system State of Illinois University System
Public or private Public
Type of school University
Date founded 1895
Degrees offered Bachelor's, Master's, First professional, Doctorate, Other advanced degrees
School accreditation North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Setting Small town-rural area (not within commuting distance of a large city)
Closest major metropolitan area Chicago
Campus size 650 acres
County De Kalb
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Number of full time, freshmen men 990
Number of full time, freshmen women 1,189
Total number of full time freshmen 2,179
Number of part time, freshmen men 14
Number of part time, freshmen women 9
Total number of part time freshmen 23
Total number of freshmen men 1,004
Total number of freshmen women 1,198
Total number of freshmen 2,202
Number of full time, undergraduate men 4,596
Number of full time, undergraduate women 5,320
Total number of full time undergraduates 9,916
Number of part time, undergraduate men 715
Number of part time, undergraduate women 733
Total number of part time undergraduates 1,448
Total number of undergraduate males 5,311
Total number of undergraduate females 6,053
Total number of undergraduate students 11,364
Total enrollment 11,364
American Indian/Alaskan Native Less than 1%
Asian 6%
Black 21%
Hispanic 25%
White 42%
Race/ethnicity unknown Less than 1%
These figures reflect responses of people who chose to indicate their racial-ethnic background. All categories except Hispanic represent non-Hispanic students. International students are not included in these figures so they may not add up to 100 percent.
Percentage of students from out of state 6%
Number of states and territories represented 40
Percentage of students from outside the US 1%
Number of countries represented 47
Percentage of students 25 or older 15%
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Tuition year 2024-2025
In-state tuition $10,230
Out-of-state tuition $10,230
Fees $3,018
Books and supplies $1,200
Room and board (live on campus)* $14,160
* Room and board costs may vary by housing facility and number of meals in meal plan
Academic program/major Yes
Installment plan (you can pay tuition in several payments over the course of the term) Yes
Tuition guarantee (you aren't affected by tuition increases; the tuition you pay your first year is the amount you pay all years) Yes
Children of alumni Yes
School employees and their children Yes
Senior citizens Yes
Undergraduate costs are for ... (Costs are for the 2024-2025 academic year.)
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Financial aid contact person Samantha McCarron
Financial aid contact title Director, Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
Financial aid contact e-mail Email
Financial aid phone 815-753-1395
Financial aid office website Find more information on this website
Scholarship list website Find more information on this website
Submit these forms FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Application deadline (for fall term) March 1
School year financial aid data is from 2022-2023
Average financial aid package awarded to freshmen $17,687
For freshmen, percentage of need* met by aid package 78%
Average amount of financial aid awarded to freshmen
Loan $3,171
Scholarship or grant $14,777
Average financial aid package awarded to undergraduates (including freshmen) $15,302
For all undergraduates, percentage of need* met by aid package 73%
Average amount of financial aid awarded to undergraduates
Loan $4,088
Scholarship or grant $12,279
Work study $2,514
* "Need" as defined for financial aid results from a formula based on a student's situation. The formula considers family and student income, family size, unusual expenses, and the school's costs.
Number of freshmen who applied for aid 2,322
Number of freshmen who received aid 1,934
Number of undergraduates who applied for aid 8,779
Number of undergraduates who received aid 7,206
Percentage of students who took out loans to pay for school 69%
Average student loan debt for last graduating class $28,074
Loans
Federal PLUS loans (for parents) Yes
Federal Direct Stafford loans (subsidized) Yes
Federal Direct Stafford loans (unsubsidized) Yes
Need-based scholarships and grants
Federal Pell Grants Yes
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Yes
Privately-sponsored scholarships and grants Yes
State-sponsored scholarships and grants Yes
Merit-based scholarships and grants
School-sponsored scholarships in academics Yes
School-sponsored scholarships in art Yes
School-sponsored scholarships in special achievements Yes
School-sponsored scholarships for special characteristics Yes
Student employment
Work study Yes
Non-proprietary financial aid data are from ... (Financial aid data are for the 2022-2023 academic year.)
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Admissions contact e-mail Email
Admissions phone (local) 800-892-3050 Ext 3050
Electronic application website Find more information on this website
For incoming students Minimally difficult (about 95% of applicants accepted)
Number of male applicants 10,198
Number of male applicants accepted 6,799
Number of male applicants who enrolled 1,004
Number of female applicants 13,971
Number of female applicants accepted 10,231
Number of female applicants who enrolled 1,198
Total number of applicants 24,169
Total number of applicants accepted 17,030
Total number of applicants who enrolled 2,202
High school education High school diploma required and GED accepted.
Fall* application deadline August 1
Notification date for fall admission applicants Continuous
Fall transfer application deadline August 1
Notification date for fall transfer applicants Continuous
* Application dates for winter, spring, or summer term admission are likely to be different.
Online application available Find more information on this website
Submit these items:
High school transcript or GED certificate Required for some students
Other application materials High school class rank
Other application materials Required for some students
High school GPA Important
Difficulty of high school courses Important
Standardized test scores Not considered
High school class rank Important
Recommendations Considered
Application essay Considered
Character/personal qualities Not considered
Interview Considered
Talent or ability Considered
Extracurricular activities Considered
Religious affiliation/commitment Not considered
Work experience Not considered
Related to a school graduate Not considered
First generation college student Not considered
Racial/ethnic group Not considered
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) general Yes
College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject Yes
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) Yes
Age limit on courses to be transferred No limit
Average GPA (on 4.0 scale) 3.4
Percentage in top 50% of their high school class 77%
Percentage in top 25% 26%
Percentage in top 10% 14%
Percentage of freshmen who returned for their sophomore year 70%
Percentage of full-time students who complete their bachelor's degree:
In four years or less 33%
Between four and five years 13%
Between five and six years 3%
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Bachelor's Yes
Master's Yes
First professional Yes
Doctorate Yes
Other advanced degrees Yes
Academic calendar Semesters
Number of faculty on campus 1,097
Student faculty ratio 14:1
Required number of credits for a bachelor's degree 124
All students must meet:
Core curriculum or school-wide requirements Yes
Internship requirement Depends on major
Math or science requirement Yes
Senior project requirement Depends on major
Evenings Yes
On-line/distance learning Yes
Part time Yes
Summer school Yes
Accelerated degree Yes
Double major Yes
Graduate courses open to undergraduates Yes
Honors program Yes
Student-designed major Yes
3-2 degree programs (three-year bachelor's degree and two-year master's degree) are available Yes
Domestic exchange available Yes
At these US schools or through this program Rockford Regional Academic Center
Study abroad available Yes
Army ROTC Yes
Air Force ROTC Yes
Advanced Placement Yes
Cooperative education Yes
External degree program (earn credits through options that require little or no classroom attendance) Yes
Independent study Yes
Internships Yes
Computers on campus for student use Yes (1500)
Computer lab available to students Yes
Computer network can be accessed from dorm rooms Yes
Computer network can be accessed from off campus Yes
Online registration for classes Yes
Main library name Founders Memorial Library
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National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Yes
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Choral groups Yes
Drama or theater groups Yes
Marching band Yes
Newspaper Yes
Radio station Yes
TV station Yes
National or local fraternities Yes
National or local sororities Yes
Number of student clubs and associations with open membership 231
Largest clubs and organizations on campus American Marketing Association, Delta Sigma Pi, Pi Sigma Epsilon, Black Choir, Student Volunteer Choir
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Percentage of students who live on campus 36%
Percentage of students on campus on a typical weekend 55%
School owns or operates housing Yes
Highest year that students are required to live on campus Freshman
Housing availability for first year students Priority for housing
Housing options Co-ed, men only, women only
Dorms require a key or code to enter Yes
School owns or operates housing for Married graduate students, single graduate students
Housing availability for single graduate students First come, first served
Housing availability for married graduate students First come, first served
Housing application deadline March 14
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English as a Second Language (ESL) program Yes
Health clinic Yes
Legal services Yes
Low-cost health insurance Yes
Psychological counseling Yes
Orientation Yes
Services for students with learning disabilities Yes
Child daycare available on campus Yes
Women's center Yes
24-hour emergency phone and alarms on campus Yes
Campus patrolled by trained security personnel Yes
Late night transport service Yes
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Was counseled by the career services office 5%
Alumni networking and mentoring Yes
Career counseling Yes
Career interest testing Yes
Career library Yes
Job bank Yes
Job fairs Yes
Job interviews Yes
Job interview preparation Yes
On campus recruitment by employers Yes
Placement assistance Yes
Résumé preparation assistance Yes
Résumé referral to employers Yes
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Grad admissions contact person Purushothaman Damodaran
Grad admissions contact title Interim Dean, Graduate School
Grad admissions contact e-mail address Email
Grad admissions contact phone (local) 800-892-3050 Ext 3050
Number of undergraduate men 5,311
Number of undergraduate women 6,053
Total number of undergraduate students 11,364
Total enrollment 11,364
Tuition year 2023-2024
In-state tuition* $9,090
Out-of-state tuition* $9,090
* Tuition may vary by program
Graduate costs are for ... (Costs are for the 2023-2024 academic year.)
Source: Illinois Career Information System (CIS) brought to you by Illinois Department of Employment Security. If you have questions or concerns about the information displaying please contact Illinois Career Information System.