Northern Illinois University
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Main telephone | 8157531000 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Educational system | State of Iillinois 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) |
| Campus size | 650 acres |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Number of full time, freshmen men | 918 |
| Number of full time, freshmen women | 1,059 |
| Total number of full time freshmen | 1,979 |
| Number of part time, freshmen men | 5 |
| Number of part time, freshmen women | 6 |
| Total number of part time freshmen | 12 |
| Total number of freshmen men | 923 |
| Total number of freshmen women | 1,065 |
| Total number of freshmen | 1,991 |
| Number of full time, undergraduate men | 4,640 |
| Number of full time, undergraduate women | 5,373 |
| Total number of full time undergraduates | 10,019 |
| Number of part time, undergraduate men | 686 |
| Number of part time, undergraduate women | 640 |
| Total number of part time undergraduates | 1,330 |
| Total number of undergraduate males | 5,326 |
| Total number of undergraduate females | 6,013 |
| Total number of undergraduate students | 11,349 |
| Total enrollment | 11,349 |
| American Indian/Alaskan Native | Less than 1% |
| Asian | 6% |
| Black | 21% |
| Hispanic | 25% |
| White | 41% |
| 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 | 5% |
| Number of states and territories represented | 29 |
| Percentage of students from outside the US | 1% |
| Number of countries represented | 61 |
| Percentage of students 25 or older | 14% |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Tuition year | 2025-2026 |
| In-state tuition | $10,742 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,742 |
| Fees | $3,050 |
| Books and supplies | $1,200 |
| Room and board (live on campus)* | $14,680 |
| * Room and board costs may vary by housing facility and number of meals in meal plan | |
| Academic program/major | Yes |
| Campus/location | Yes |
| Class load (number of credits taken) | Yes |
| Installment plan (you can pay tuition in several payments over the course of the term) | Yes |
| School employees and their children | Yes |
| Senior citizens | Yes |
| Undergraduate costs are for ... | (Costs are for the 2025-2026 academic year.) |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Financial aid contact person | Samantha McCarron |
| Financial aid contact title | Director, Financial Aid and Scholarship Office |
| Financial aid contact e-mail | |
| 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 | 2023-2024 |
| Average financial aid package awarded to freshmen | $18,440 |
| For freshmen, percentage of need* met by aid package | 78% |
| Average amount of financial aid awarded to freshmen | |
| Loan | $3,199 |
| Scholarship or grant | $15,414 |
| Average financial aid package awarded to undergraduates (including freshmen) | $16,498 |
| For all undergraduates, percentage of need* met by aid package | 73% |
| Average amount of financial aid awarded to undergraduates | |
| Loan | $4,183 |
| Scholarship or grant | $13,319 |
| Work study | $2,655 |
| * "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 | 2,154 |
| Number of freshmen who received aid | 1,836 |
| Number of undergraduates who applied for aid | 8,947 |
| Number of undergraduates who received aid | 7,430 |
| Percentage of students who took out loans to pay for school | 69% |
| Average student loan debt for last graduating class | $26,713 |
| 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 2023-2024 academic year.) |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Admissions contact e-mail | |
| Electronic application website | Find more information on this website |
| For incoming students | Moderately difficult (about 85% of all applicants accepted) |
| Number of male applicants | 10,235 |
| Number of male applicants accepted | 6,791 |
| Number of male applicants who enrolled | 923 |
| Number of female applicants | 13,402 |
| Number of female applicants accepted | 9,707 |
| Number of female applicants who enrolled | 1,065 |
| Total number of applicants | 23,637 |
| Total number of applicants accepted | 16,498 |
| Total number of applicants who enrolled | 1,988 |
| 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 all students |
| High school GPA | Considered |
| Difficulty of high school courses | Considered |
| Standardized test scores | Considered |
| High school class rank | Considered |
| Recommendations | Considered |
| Application essay | Considered |
| Character/personal qualities | Considered |
| Interview | Considered |
| Talent or ability | Considered |
| Extracurricular activities | Considered |
| Level of applicant's interest | Considered |
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Considered |
| Work experience | Considered |
| Related to a school graduate | Considered |
| First generation college student | Considered |
| Racial/ethnic group | Considered |
| 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 | 75% |
| Percentage in top 25% | 37% |
| 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 | 29% |
| Between four and five years | 14% |
| Between five and six years | 4% |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Yes |
| Master's | Yes |
| First professional | Yes |
| Doctorate | Yes |
| Other advanced degrees | Yes |
| Academic calendar | Semesters |
| Number of faculty on campus | 1,039 |
| Student faculty ratio | 15:1 |
| 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 |
| Study abroad available | Yes |
| Army ROTC | Yes |
| Air Force ROTC | Yes |
| Naval ROTC | Yes |
| Advanced Placement | 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 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) | Yes |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Choral groups | Yes |
| Drama or theater groups | Yes |
| Marching band | Yes |
| Newspaper | Yes |
| Radio station | Yes |
| National or local fraternities | Yes |
| National or local sororities | Yes |
| Number of student clubs and associations with open membership | 286 |
| Largest clubs and organizations on campus | American Marketing Association, Delta Sigma Pi, Pi Sigma Epsilon, Black Choir, Student Volunteer Choir |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Percentage of students who live on campus | 35% |
| Percentage of students on campus on a typical weekend | 60% |
| 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 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| English as a Second Language (ESL) program | Yes |
| Health clinic | Yes |
| Legal services | Yes |
| Low-cost health insurance | 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 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Went directly to graduate or professional school | 9% |
| 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 |
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Grad admissions contact person | Purushothaman Damodaran |
| Grad admissions contact title | Interim Dean, Graduate School |
| Grad admissions contact e-mail address | |
| Grad admissions contact phone (local) | 800-892-3050 Ext 3050 |
| Number of undergraduate men | 5,326 |
| Number of undergraduate women | 6,013 |
| Total number of undergraduate students | 11,339 |
| Total enrollment | 11,349 |
| 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.) |