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Compare colleges

Up to 4 at once. Figures are from the 2022-23 reporting year and are averages, so they will differ from what any one student pays or experiences.

  • Northern Illinois University
  • University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

What stands out

Northern Illinois University has the lower average net price, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports the higher graduation rate, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign reports higher median earnings ten years on, while University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign leaves graduates with less median federal debt. Which of those matters more depends on what you need, and none of it predicts your own cost or your own chance of admission.

Northern Illinois University compared with University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
MetricNorthern Illinois UniversityDekalb, ILPublic · 4-yearLowest net priceUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, ILPublic · 4-yearHighest graduation rateHighest retentionLowest median debtHighest median earnings
Cost
Average net priceWhat students on federal aid actually paid per year, after grants.$13,391lowest$14,355
Published costSticker price before aid. Few students pay it.$28,851$33,642
In-state tuition$13,248$16,004
Out-of-state tuition$13,248$35,124
Admissions
Acceptance rate70%42%
SAT midpointNot reported1,415
ACT midpointNot reported32
Outcomes
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time. Excludes transfer students.49%85%highest
Retention rateFirst-year students who come back for a second year.70%95%highest
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only. Private and parent loans are not included.$22,162$19,500lowest
Median earnings, 10 yrsReflects the subjects a college teaches and where it sits, not only its teaching.$57,808$81,054highest
Campus
Undergraduates11,30136,258

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2022-23. Blank figures mean the college did not report that measure, not that the value is zero. Acceptance rate and enrollment carry no highlight because neither a lower acceptance rate nor a larger campus is better in itself. How this works.