Northern Illinois University

In DeKalb, Illinois, the public research institution, Northern Illinois University (NIU), is located. On May 22, 1895, Illinois Governor John P. established it as the Northern Illinois State Normal School. Dedicated to helping students succeed in their careers, Northern Illinois University is a top-tier public research institution. There are many academic possibilities and a vibrant campus culture at NIU, which is ranked nationwide for quality and value. The university is a member of the Universities Research Association, which oversees the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory in Batavia, Illinois, among other government physics laboratories. Wood Harris, P.J. Fleck, Joan Allen, and Michael Turner are its notable alumni. 

Northern Illinois University Highlight

The following information about the university is in table format:

About Campus and Accommodation

There are five campuses for Northern Illinois University: DeKalb, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Rockford. The 800 acres of lush grounds that make up Northern Illinois University's main campus. There is a sports club at the institution that is available to all students who are paying tuition. Here, you can play sports for fun, including archery, swimming, bowling, ice hockey, volleyball, tennis, and more.

The university offers housing options with curated meal plans and other residential facilities. The table below provides the cost of accommodation on the basis of room choice.

Northern Illinois University Global Ranking

According to QS Top Universities, Northern Illinois University is ranked #201-250 in the US UNI Rankings. According to Times Higher Education (THE), NIU ranks 801-1000th in the World University Rankings 2023. 

Acceptance Rate of the University

The admissions process at Northern Illinois University is somewhat selective, with an acceptance rate of 70%. It is moderately difficult to get through this university because of the selective acceptance. 

Top Courses Offered at Northern Illinois University

The resident status, eligibility for the truth-in-tuition policy, and program major all affect undergraduate tuition. A different tuition rate may be charged to students pursuing the following majors: Nursing, Engineering, and Computer Science.

The following courses are taught at NIU. 

●      Economics & Econometrics

●      Business & Management

●      Accounting & Finance

●      Languages, Literature & Linguistics

●      Art, Performing Arts & Design

●      History, Philosophy & Theology

●      Biological Sciences

●      Sport Science

●      Physics & Astronomy

●      Chemistry

●      Mathematics & Statistics

●      Politics & International Studies (incl Development Studies)

●      Sociology

●      Communication & Media Studies

●      Geography

●      Psychology

●      Law

●      Education

●  Engineering & technology

●  Clinical, pre-clinical & health

The table below projects the average tuition fees charged by NIU, as of the 2022-2023 session. 

Northern Illinois University Admission Process

Applicants seeking admission at Northern Illinois University must be aware of the following admission guidelines. 

• All application materials must be uploaded using the online system of NIU, with the exception of art portfolios and music auditions. 
• Paper applications or electronic submissions made in any other way are not accepted by the university.
• If you're an international student or a student-at-large, make sure to read more about the application process.
• With careful preparation, it takes about 15 to complete the online application. 
• For students pursuing degrees, the application price is $60; for those who are not pursuing degrees, it is $10. There is no reimbursement for the application cost. 

The following are the application deadlines for freshmen, visiting, reentry, post-baccalaureate and transfer students.

• Fall Term- August 1
• Spring Term- December 1
• Summer Term- May 15

Documents Required for Northern Illinois University

The following documents are required for applying to the degree courses of Northern Illinois University.  

• Official academic transcripts
• Standardized test scores
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Financial statements
• Passport

Exam Requirements for Northern Illinois University

The following are the test requirements for applicants seeking admission to the undergraduate colleges of Northern Illinois University. 

• Candidates must secure a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or higher for guaranteed general admission. 
• Standardized test scores like ACT or SAT are not necessary for undergraduate admission. 
• International students whose first language is not English must secure 71 in internet-based TOEFL or 527 in paper-based TOEFL.
• Or, at least an overall 6.0 in IELTS.
• Or, a minimum score of 105 in Duolingo English Test.
• Or, a minimum score of 48 in PTE Academic English.

The following are the test requirements for applicants seeking admission to the graduate colleges of Northern Illinois University. 

• Candidates must secure a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
• At least an overall 7.0 in IELTS.
• Or, candidates must secure at least 80 in TOEFL iBT. 

Northern Illinois University Cost of Attendance

The cost of attendance for pursuing an undergraduate course at Northern Illinois University is presented in the table below. 

The cost of attendance for pursuing a graduate course at Northern Illinois University is presented in the table below. 

Available Scholarships for Northern Illinois University

For overseas students who want to study in the USA, Northern Illinois University provides financial aid in the form of grants, federal work-study, loans, and scholarships. Students must submit an FAFSA to be considered for grants and loans. Four years are allocated for the NIU Scholars Award. The prize is worth USD 7,000. The four years of accommodation and board, fees, tuition, and a book stipend are covered by the Presidential Scholarship. The minimal academic qualifications for this award are a cumulative GPA of 3.75 and a SAT score of 1450 (91%). The first year after graduation, students whose parent(s) graduated from NIU are awarded $1,000 USD. Every applicant to the university is automatically given consideration for this scholarship.

Placements at Northern Illinois University

The career services at Northern Illinois University assist students in making career decisions, arranging internships and job searches, planning graduate school, practicing interview techniques, participating in mock interviews, and reviewing resumes and LinkedIn profiles, among other things. Additionally, it organizes a job expo for the students.

The median annual salary for graduates after two years is 36,800 USD, whereas the median annual salary after six years is 45,500 USD. The employment rate is 94% after 2 years of graduation, compared to 92% after 6 years of graduation. The university's graduates make an average of 45,500 USD annually, which is 14% more than the average graduate salary in the country.

The table below represents the average salary of NIU alumni by job position.