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 2,781 reviews
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
11:1
Evening Degree Programs
Yes
75%
of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes. 157 responses64%
of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want. 196 responses55%
of students agree that the workload is easy to manage. 195 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
9,931 Undergrads
Part-Time Undergrads
1,498
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. 221 responsesPoll
65%
of students say varsity sports are a big part of campus life. 267 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%78%
of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation. 112 responsesNorthern Illinois University Reviews
Rating 3.52 out of 5 2,781 reviews
Northern Illinois is alright overall. They have tons of parties everyday and the students at the college are not always the best in the classroom setting. It's difficult working with certain students because most of them don't take the class seriously. Although it's not my concern, it does affect my ability to learn when we do group projects because most of the time, I have to do the heavy lifting. Most of the students are friendly though. They are nice and welcoming when it comes to parties or social situations. The professors can be a little bit difficult to work with when it comes to deadlines on assignments and group projects. They have very high standards, which is expected, but can sometimes be unreasonable.
It is a nice college, very diverse. If you are American and have a hard time understanding accents, brush up or choose a different university. There is always something going on, as I am sure there is on most university campuses. I am a commuter and a non-traditional student. That being said, there is only one spot in town that I have tried to eat at and it was decent (Junction). The gas stations are a little dollar-store-ish. Traffic is very slow. The police station is right across the way from the parking garage. The professors are smart and engaging for the most part. There is a lot of research opportunities on campus! Overall, it's a good school. I don't have another university to compare it to, but I still say it's nice.
Diversity, inclusiveness, and a strong sense of community are essential components of NIU's campus culture. Students at NIU come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, which creates an atmosphere where people are encouraged to express themselves, have meaningful conversations, and accept one another for who they are. NIU fosters a sense of community and belonging through a wide range of extracurricular activities, cultural events, and student organisations. This enhances the college experience and creates well-rounded individuals who are ready to make valuable contributions to society.