Northern Illinois University
- 4 Year
- DEKALB, IL
CollegeGrad School
Northern Illinois University
- grade BOverall Grade
- 4 Year
- DEKALB, IL
- Rating 3.52 out of 5 2,759 reviews
Monthly Update
11.21.2023
Apply for Fall 2024 admission by Dec. 1 to be considered for a renewable merit scholarship. It's free to apply and we don't consider test scores. Apply now! Learn More
Report Card
- Academicsgrade B
- Valuegrade B+
- Diversitygrade A minus
- Campusgrade C
- Athleticsgrade A minus
- Party Scenegrade A
- Professorsgrade B+
- Locationgrade C
- Dormsgrade C+
- Campus Foodgrade B
- Student Lifegrade B minus
- Safetygrade C
About
Athletic Division
NCAA Division I-FBS
Athletic Conference
Mid-American Conference
From Northern Illinois University
Choosing the right college is a big decision for you. Your undergraduate experience will shape your career and many other aspects of your life. So why choose NIU? Located 65 miles west of Chicago, Northern Illinois University is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university. We believe a life-changing education should be within reach of everyone, and we strive to deliver a university experience tailored to your interests and driven by your dreams. Whether you’re a freshman who wants to explore your passions or a career-focused transfer student, we’ll help you develop your talents and blaze your own unique path to success.
Upcoming Events
Northern Illinois University Rankings
Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.
Admissions
Application Deadline
Rolling Admissions
Acceptance Rate
70%
SAT Range
940-1170
ACT Range
19-25
Application Fee
$0
SAT/ACT
Neither required nor recommended
High School GPA
Required
Accepts Common App
Yes
Will You Get In?
Will You Get Into NIU?
Test Scores and High School GPA for Northern Illinois University See Other Colleges
Cost
Net Price
$13,265 / year
National
$15,523Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
Average Total Aid Awarded
$13,008 / year
National
$7,535Students Receiving Financial Aid
99%
Scholarship
Academics
Professors
grade B+
Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
Student Faculty Ratio
12:1
Evening Degree Programs
No
75%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes. 153 responses64%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want. 192 responses55%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage. 191 responsesMajors
Most Popular Majors
- Psychology189 Graduates
- Nursing185 Graduates
- Health Service Preparatory Studies164 Graduates
- Communications160 Graduates
- Accounting138 Graduates
- Computer Science128 Graduates
- Marketing125 Graduates
- Mechanical Engineering120 Graduates
- Operations Management100 Graduates
- Liberal Arts and Humanities91 Graduates
Online
Programs Offered Entirely Online
0
Offers Online Courses
Yes
Online Certificate Programs
0
Online Associates Programs
0
Online Bachelor's Programs
0
Students
Full-Time Enrollment
9,994 Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
1,840
Undergrads Over 25
15%
Pell Grant
56%
Varsity Athletes
4%
Campus Life
Freshmen Live On-Campus
No data available
Poll
51%
of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join. 217 responsesPoll
65%
of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life. 263 responsesAfter College
Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
$45,500 / year
National
$33,028Graduation Rate
51%
National
49%Employed 2 Years After Graduation
94%
National
83%77%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation. 109 responsesNorthern Illinois University Reviews
Rating 3.52 out of 5 2,759 reviews
Northern Illinois University is a campus full of a diverse student and faculty population. It’s not a perfect place. Some professors have racial biases and harsh grading, you may clash with some students, but you will find a tight knit community, friendly and welcoming staff and students. A variety of majors to choose from. A diverse age range of students - from 18 year old first time students to 30+ year olds returning to college to start a degree or complete previously unfinished degrees. There’s fun activities to take part of, on campus events regularly, great local dining options and it is truly a memorable experience to attend. Go Huskies!
My overall experience with Northern Illinois University is positive! I really enjoy the environment, I wanted to experience something new; a new location, people, anything! The campus is really widespread which I enjoy (although walking can get very tiring). The classes I’ve taken so far have been great! I’m really dedicated to pursue my education here.
For pre-law students, NIU is a great fit. There are many class options, and the professors care about their students. My advisor has been awesome and is always willing to answer any questions I have. I like to plan for the future, and my advisor helps me to do just that! If you want to maintain rigorous academics, I suggest applying to the honors program! These small classes provide a more intimate, one-on-one environment with your professors. The only issue I have with NIU is that after the first week, there aren't a lot of honors events. In the future, I hope the honors program makes strides to do as such.