Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University is a large public R2 doctoral research university located in Dekalb, Illinois, with an undergraduate enrollment of 11,301. Classified as a doctoral research university, it supports graduate programs in select disciplines and allocates significant resources to faculty research activity alongside its undergraduate mission. As a public institution primarily funded through state appropriations and federal grants, it operates within the broader Illinois postsecondary education landscape and is regionally accredited, making its credits and degrees eligible for federal financial aid. With a 70% acceptance rate, admission is broadly accessible. With a 70% acceptance rate, the institution is broadly accessible while maintaining academic standards. Net price for families earning \$48,001–$75,000 averages $12,797 per year. The highest program-level earnings outcomes are in CIP 00 — 10-year median earnings among aid recipients in these fields reach $119,872. The 4-year graduation rate is 49%, 4 percentage points above the national average of 45%. Among students who received federal financial aid, 10-year median earnings are $57,808.