Skip to content
  • Top Colleges 2023
  • How to Choose Schools
  • Advice for Students
  • About
Find Schools
2023-2024 Colleges of Distinction badge
Colleges of Distinction: Illinois
2023-2024 Public Colleges of Distinction badge

Northern Illinois University

DeKalb, Illinois

APPLY NOW REQUEST INFO
Visit the School Website »
Logo for Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university located in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. With a history that dates back to 1895, NIU has grown to become one of the largest universities in the state of Illinois, offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs across seven colleges. The university is known for its strong commitment to research, experiential learning, and community engagement, providing students with numerous opportunities to explore their passions, develop their skills, and make a difference in the world. 

Whether students are interested in the arts, sciences, business, education, or any other field, NIU is a welcoming and supportive community that can help them achieve their goals and succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.

Get to know Northern Illinois University

11,819
Degree-Seeking Undergraduates
Enrolled female students
53%
 
Enrolled male students
47%
 
Gender Ratio
Full-time students
85%
 
Part-time students
15%
 
Full-time to Part-time Ratio
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Retention rate
Full-time faculty
73%
 
Adjuncts
27%
 
Faculty Ratio
15:1
Student/teacher ratio
$9,790
Full-time tuition cost
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
6-year graduation rate
Aug. 1
Application deadline
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Acceptance rate
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Out-of-state students
-0%1%2%3%4%5%6%7%8%9%10%11%12%13%14%15%16%17%18%19%20%21%22%23%24%25%26%27%28%29%30%31%32%33%34%35%36%37%38%39%40%41%42%43%44%45%46%47%48%49%50%51%52%53%54%55%56%57%58%59%60%61%62%63%64%65%66%67%68%69%70%71%72%73%74%75%76%77%78%79%80%81%82%83%84%85%86%87%88%89%90%91%92%93%94%95%96%97%98%99%100%
Full-time faculty w/ terminal degree

Benefits

Student Activities

Student Activities

  • Campus Ministries
  • Choral groups
  • Concert band
  • Dance
  • Drama/theatre
  • Jazz band
  • Literary magazine
  • Marching band
  • Model UN
  • Music ensembles
  • Opera
  • Pep band
  • Radio station
  • Student government
  • Student newspaper
  • Symphony orchestra
SHOW MORE
High-Impact Practices

High-Impact Practices

  • First-Year Seminars and Experiences
  • Common Intellectual Experiences
  • Learning Communities
  • Writing-Intensive Courses
  • Collaborative Assignments and Projects
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Diversity/Global Learning
  • Service-Learning, Community-Based Learning
  • Internships/Coops/Practicums
  • Capstone Courses and Projects/Senior Experience
SHOW MORE
Campus Resources

Campus Resources

  • Career Services
  • Writing Center
  • Academic Advisors
  • Library Services
  • Faculty Mentors
  • Disability Services
  • Multicultural Engagement Center
  • Health Services
  • Academic Tutors
  • Financial Aid Advisors
  • Student Success Initiative
  • Veteran Services
  • Peer Mentors
  • Counseling
  • Gender & Sexuality Center
SHOW MORE
SHOW MORE

College Highlights

Engaged Students
Great Teaching
Vibrant Communities
Successful Outcomes
Admission & Aid
2023-2024 Business Colleges of Distinction badge
2023-2024 Education Colleges of Distinction badge
2023-2024 Equity & Inclusion Colleges of Distinction badge
2023-2024 Career Development Colleges of Distinction badge
2023-2024 Affordable Colleges of Distinction badge
2023-2024 Engineering Colleges of Distinction badge
2023-2024 Nursing Colleges of Distinction badge
Engaged Students

CLASS SIZE
The number of sections of each class size.
2-9: 428 | 10-19: 477 | 20-29: 572
30-39: 233 | 40-49: 102 | 50-99: 162 | 100+: 56

ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 1%
Hispanic/Latinx: 22%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 20%
White, non-Hispanic: 46%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 0%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 6%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 4%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 0%

Great Teaching

SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Cooperative education program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
English as a Second Language (ESL)
External degree program
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/career combination
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program

Vibrant Communities

RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 93%
Undergraduates: 31%

Campus housing options.
Coed dorms
Men’s dorms
Women’s dorms
Apartments for married students
Apartments for single students
Special housing for students with disabilities
Fraternity/sorority housing
Theme housing

Successful Outcomes

Admission & Aid

Admission

APPLICATION DEADLINE
Application closing date (fall): Aug. 1
Priority date: Mar. 1

ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record | Class rank | Academic GPA

Considered
Application Essay | Recommendation(s) | Interview
Extracurricular activities | Talent/ability

Tuition & Cost

Tuition (in-state): $9,790
Tuition (out-of-state): $9,790
Tuition (international): $19,580
Fees: $2,682
Room & Board: $11,420

What Others are Saying

Contact Northern Illinois University

Contact Admissions

niu.edu/admissions
(815) 753-0446
admissions@niu.edu

Campus Location

1425 W. Lincoln Hwy.
DeKalb, IL 60115

Visit NIU Online

niu.edu

Colleges of Distinction

Colleges of Distinction was founded on the premise that there are hundreds of remarkable colleges across the United States, each with a unique strength to offer the next generation of college-bound students. We connect these colleges to curious, talented students.

  • Contact Us
  • Nominate a School
  • Media & Release
  • Privacy & Terms
  • The Best Colleges for You – Colleges of Distinction 2023
© 2023 Colleges of Distinction

Website made by the MAC

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok

Are you an adult degree seeker?

Discover Abound