# Northern Illinois University

> Northern Illinois University's acceptance rate is 69.8% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, 22,602 applicants). It is a public university in Dekalb, IL, with 11,301 students. The average net price after grants is $14,505 a year. The six-year graduation rate is 48.5%, and median earnings ten years after entry are $61,351.

Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Federal source years are listed with each table.

- Profile: https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-illinois-university-1927
- Location: Dekalb, IL, United States
- Setting: Small suburb
- Control: Public
- Classification: R2 research university
- Official website: https://www.niu.edu/
- IPEDS Unit ID: 147703
- Last verified by CollegesRef: 2026-11-03

## Admissions

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Applicants | 22,602 |
| Admitted | 15,922 |
| Acceptance rate | 69.8% |

## Cost

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| In-state tuition | $13,792 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $13,792 |
| Average net price (per year, after grants) | $14,505 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 51.7% |

## Outcomes

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Graduation rate (within six years) | 48.5% |
| First-year retention rate | 69.6% |
| Median earnings (10 years after entry) | $61,351 |

## Enrollment

Source: U.S. College Scorecard, 2025 data.

| Measure | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Total students | 11,301 |

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the Northern Illinois University acceptance rate for 2026?

Northern Illinois University admitted 69.8% of 22,602 applicants in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition, the most recent release. That is the figure colleges report to the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

### How much is Northern Illinois University tuition?

Tuition at Northern Illinois University is $13,792 a year before financial aid in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. The average net price after grants is $14,505 a year.

### What is the average net price at Northern Illinois University?

The average net price at Northern Illinois University, what first-time, full-time students paid after grants and scholarships, was $14,505 a year in the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition. Your own price depends on family income; the college's net price calculator gives a personal estimate.

### What is the graduation rate at Northern Illinois University?

48.5% of first-time, full-time students at Northern Illinois University graduate within six years (150% of normal time), according to the CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.

### What colleges are similar to Northern Illinois University?

The closest matches are Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Eastern Illinois University, and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, based on admissions, cost, graduation rate, size, and campus profile.

## Related pages

- [Northern Illinois University Tuition 2026](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-illinois-university-1927/financial)
- [Northern Illinois University Rankings by Major](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-illinois-university-1927/rankings)
- [Northern Illinois University Earnings by Major](https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-illinois-university-1927/outcomes)
- [Colleges similar to Northern Illinois University](https://www.collegesref.com/collegesref/northern-illinois-university-1927)
- [Compare Northern Illinois University with other colleges](https://www.collegesref.com/compare?slugs=northern-illinois-university-1927)
- [College Scorecard entry](https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?147703)
- [College Navigator entry](https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=147703)

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Source: CollegesRef, https://www.collegesref.com/college/northern-illinois-university-1927. Figures are federal reports (IPEDS and the U.S. College Scorecard); cite the data year shown with each table. Blank measures were not reported and are left out rather than estimated.