Northern Illinois University is a public 4-year college in Dekalb, Illinois with 11,301 undergraduates. It admits 70% of applicants, costs an average of $14,505 a year after grants and graduates 49% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
Northern Illinois University acceptance rate and admissions
Northern Illinois University admitted 70% of applicants for fall 2024. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Neither required nor recommended (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
Northern Illinois University application deadlines 2026-27
| Round | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Rolling admission | Applications reviewed as they arrive |
Application fee through the Common App: free for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on Northern Illinois University’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
Northern Illinois University tuition, cost and net price
| Tuition and fees, in-state (2025-26) | $13,792 |
|---|---|
| On-campus housing and food (2025-26) | $14,680 |
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $29,642 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $14,505 |
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $14,505 a year after grants and scholarships, $15,137 less than the full cost of attendance. This figure covers in-state students.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students paying in-state tuition, by family income (2024-25):
Your own price depends on your family's full situation. Run Northern Illinois University's net price calculator for a personal estimate, or make a "what it costs us" card.
Northern Illinois University graduation rate, earnings and debt
- 49% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
- Former students earned a median of $61,351 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $19,555 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
Debt compared
Median debt is 32% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
Northern Illinois University majors and what graduates earn
Northern Illinois University awarded bachelor's degrees in 52 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from electrical engineering ($93,962).
All 52 majors at Northern Illinois University
| Major | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical engineering | 41 | $77,987 | $93,962 | $19,658 |
| Computer science | 122 | $66,593 | $93,438 | $16,093 |
| Mechanical engineering | 119 | $74,956 | $86,999 | $16,731 |
| Finance | 48 | $63,036 | $86,511 | $15,085 |
| Accounting | 104 | $71,735 | $83,573 | $15,000 |
| Industrial engineering | 19 | $79,613 | $82,584 | $20,000 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | 43 | $67,295 | $81,554 | $20,490 |
| Medical lab science | 22 | $72,500 | $76,856 | $19,344 |
| Marketing | 112 | $54,296 | $76,373 | $18,669 |
| Business administration | 95 | $60,307 | $73,176 | $19,500 |
| Business analytics and operations research | 76 | $53,627 | $71,040 | $16,000 |
| Mathematics | 17 | $55,597 | $69,856 | $15,000 |
| Apparel and Textiles | 8 | $43,143 | $68,636 | n/a |
| Economics | 19 | $57,726 | $66,760 | $17,000 |
| Chemistry | 23 | $51,422 | $65,611 | $16,500 |
| Hospitality management | 14 | $46,507 | $58,546 | n/a |
| Sociology | 28 | $43,103 | $58,023 | $24,585 |
| Liberal arts and general studies | 93 | $39,380 | $57,697 | $23,250 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | 113 | $39,127 | $55,778 | $22,500 |
| Mental health counseling | 33 | $46,403 | $55,586 | $25,000 |
| Nutrition and dietetics | 15 | $31,702 | $55,221 | $29,575 |
| Communication | 62 | $48,258 | $55,109 | $21,236 |
| Anthropology | 5 | n/a | $54,890 | n/a |
| Environmental science | 27 | $39,491 | $54,666 | $16,798 |
| Kinesiology and exercise science | 102 | $43,124 | $54,207 | $21,375 |
| Political science | 53 | $37,301 | $54,039 | $19,899 |
| Teacher education by subject | 46 | $48,841 | $53,672 | $21,500 |
| Special education | 63 | $49,400 | $53,148 | $20,909 |
| Biology | 65 | $40,191 | $52,086 | $20,500 |
| Romance languages | 15 | $44,047 | $51,151 | $22,500 |
| Journalism | 13 | $37,867 | $50,658 | $21,500 |
| Teacher education by grade level | 132 | $45,553 | $50,385 | $19,100 |
| Psychology | 214 | $41,028 | $49,669 | $19,000 |
| Speech-language pathology | 27 | $27,810 | $49,653 | $16,220 |
| Human services | 7 | $39,533 | $49,514 | n/a |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 11 | n/a | $49,198 | n/a |
| Human development and family studies | 56 | $37,729 | $49,147 | $22,635 |
| English | 49 | $42,304 | $47,981 | $19,306 |
| Geography | 11 | n/a | $47,738 | n/a |
| History | 40 | $37,315 | $46,086 | $19,281 |
| Fine and studio arts | 78 | $29,916 | $44,202 | $19,375 |
| Music | 24 | $39,404 | $40,398 | $22,498 |
| Theater | 22 | $31,741 | $36,777 | $25,000 |
| Nursing | 124 | $77,976 | n/a | $22,700 |
| Biomedical engineering | 16 | n/a | n/a | $29,000 |
| Criminology | 14 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Geology and earth sciences | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Physics | 9 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Statistics | 8 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Philosophy | 7 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at Northern Illinois University
75 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
Show 75 graduate programs
Students and location
- 11,301 degree-seeking undergraduates (fall 2024)
- 53% women, 47% men
- 15 students for every faculty member
- Setting: small suburb
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
Frequently asked questions
What is the acceptance rate at Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University admitted 70% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does Northern Illinois University cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $13,792 for in-state students. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $14,505 a year in 2024-25.
Is Northern Illinois University test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, Northern Illinois University reported that test scores were: neither required nor recommended. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at Northern Illinois University?
49% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do Northern Illinois University graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $61,351 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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More: all colleges in Illinois · Northern Illinois University on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, data release of October 15, 2026. What each figure means and the year it covers.