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Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University says yes to 69.8% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $57,808 median earnings.
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Northern Illinois University occupies suburban Dekalb, IL — a public campus quieter than a downtown one, closer to one than a rural seat.
Its highest-earning path is Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, where graduates median $93,962 four years out. 47.3% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 11,301 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 69.6% of first-years come back for a second year.
Northern Illinois University won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Northern Illinois University received 24,177 applications and admitted 17,033 (70.5%), with 2,202 enrolling.
Leave the SAT prep out of this one — test scores are disregarded entirely. Northern Illinois University's 69.8% admission rate turned on grades and application strength.
How Northern Illinois University compares
| Northern Illinois University | Illinois median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 69.8% | 77% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $13,248 | $31,360 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $57,808 | $58,572 | $53,781 |
At $57,808, ten-year earnings trail the state median ($58,572). Look at Northern Illinois University's major-level rows below before reading too much into the campus-wide number.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $13,248 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $13,248. For non-residents, Northern Illinois University's $13,248 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
At 11,301 undergrads, Northern Illinois University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.
48.7% graduate within six years. Roughly 51% don't — ask a Northern Illinois University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Northern Illinois University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $93,962 |
| Computer Science | $93,438 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $86,999 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $86,511 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $83,573 |
| Industrial Engineering | $82,584 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, General | $81,554 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $76,856 |
| Marketing | $76,373 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $73,176 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $71,040 |
| Mathematics | $69,856 |
| Apparel and Textiles | $68,636 |
| Economics | $66,760 |
| Chemistry | $65,611 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $58,546 |
| Sociology | $58,023 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $57,697 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs | $55,778 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | $55,586 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $55,221 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $55,109 |
| Anthropology | $54,890 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $54,666 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $54,207 |
| Political Science and Government | $54,039 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | $53,672 |
| Special Education and Teaching | $53,148 |
| Biology, General | $52,086 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $51,151 |
| Journalism | $50,658 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $50,385 |
| Psychology, General | $49,669 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $49,653 |
| Human Services, General | $49,514 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | $49,198 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $49,147 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $47,981 |
| Geography and Cartography | $47,738 |
| History | $46,086 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $44,202 |
| Music | $40,398 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $36,777 |
Median earnings for these 43 Northern Illinois University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $57,808 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 14 additional Northern Illinois University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University doesn't look at test scores; its 69.8% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is Northern Illinois University's acceptance rate?
70.5% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 17,033 admitted from 24,177 applicants.
How much does Northern Illinois University cost?
In-state tuition is $13,248; out-of-state students pay $13,248. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do Northern Illinois University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $57,808 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in Illinois
- North Park University — 68.5% admitted
- North Central College — 77.3% admitted
- Northeastern Illinois University — 74.6% admitted
- Moody Bible Institute — 82.7% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.