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© 2025 Tuition Covered. All Rights Reserved.
OverviewTuition & CostsReturn on EducationAdmissionsMajors & DegreesStudentsReviews
  1. Colleges
  2. Catalog
  3. Northern Illinois University

Estimated Net Cost
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$14k

Estimated Post Grad Salary
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$55k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent
Northern Illinois University is a public university located in Dekalb, Illinois, founded in 1895. It is known for its strong programs in education, business, and engineering, and is recognized for its commitment to providing a quality education at an affordable cost. NIU's campus features beautiful green spaces and a strong sense of community among its diverse student body.

Pros

  • Strong academic programs

  • Diverse campus culture

  • Affordable tuition

  • Active student life

Cons

  • Harsh winters

  • Limited off-campus activities

  • Large commuter population

  • Some programs may lack funding

Tuition and Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at Northern Illinois University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at Northern Illinois University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at Northern Illinois University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at Northern Illinois University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
Average Tuition, including fees before grants and scholarships.
 
$12,700$50,800
Room and Board
This is the average, based on staying on-campus
 
$12,800$51,200
Books and Supplies
The expenditure on books and supplies for an average student at Northern Illinois University
 
$1,300$5,200
Other expenses
The amount of money (estimated by the financial aid office at Northern Illinois University) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings.
 
$2,836$11,344
Sticker Price$29,636$118,544

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $436 per year over the next three years, reaching $15,818 in 2024, and $16,253 in 2025, and $16,689 in 2026.

Return On Education

Admissions

Northern Illinois University admissions is somewhat selective with an acceptance rate of 71%. The application deadline can be found on the institution's website.
71%Admission Rate
52%Graduation Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
ACT Range -
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application DeadlineSee college website
Early Decision DateSee college website
Early Action DateSee college website

Majors & Degrees

Explore the range of academic programs offered at this institution.
SciencesBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Professional
⌄
Economics•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Atmospheric Sciences•Bachelor's Degree
Geology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Psychology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
EngineeringBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Electrical Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Mechanical Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Industrial Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
HistoryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Political Science•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Cartography•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
HumanitiesBachelor's Degree
HospitalityBachelor's Degree
EducationMaster's Degree
⌄
Curriculum & Instruction•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Education Administration•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
Educational Design•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Education Assessment•Master's Degree
Special Education•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Teaching•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Physical Education•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
HealthBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Nutrition•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Health Preparation•Bachelor's Degree
Rehabilitation•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Professional
Apparel & TextilesBachelor's Degree
LawDoctoral Degree – Professional
Liberal ArtsBachelor's Degree
BiologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
MathematicsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Applied Mathematics•Master's Degree
Statistics•Master's Degree
AccountingBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
ChemistryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
PhysicsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
AnthropologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
SociologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
MedicalBachelor's Degree
⌄
Clinicalology•Bachelor's Degree
Mental Health•Bachelor's Degree
Registered Nursing (RN)•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
BusinessBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Finance•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Marketing•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Taxation•Master's Degree
ManagementBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
⌄
Management Information Systems (MIS)•Master's Degree

Student Life

Learn about the community, campus culture, and experiences that shape student life at this college.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment2,202
Full-time Students2,179
Part-time Students23

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:14:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about Northern Illinois University. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

Tuition Covered Rating
(4.0)
Niche
(3.5)
US News
(4.1)

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Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

RoEDU
895
Northern Illinois University is distinguished by a high ROEdu, suggesting graduates enjoy considerable financial and professional rewards that surpass the costs of their education.

Northern Illinois University

Public
Dekalb, IL
Suburb