Ӱ̳

About

University Type

Public

University Type

US News National rank

273

US News National rank

Average Living Expenses

$43,599

Average Living Expenses

Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois. Northern Illinois University was founded in 1895 and is one of the largest universities in the state. Northern Illinois University has over 25,000 students and offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate of Northern Illinois University?

The acceptance rate of Northern Illinois University is 70%.

Northern Illinois University campus is located in DeKalb, which is a city of about 95,000 people. The campus is home to a variety of modern buildings, including the NIU Convocation Center, which is a 10,000-seat arena.

Northern Illinois University is a member of the Mid-American Conference and competes in Division I athletics. The Huskies are one of the most successful college football programs in the MAC, having won 10 conference championships.

Northern Illinois University's student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1, and the average tuition fee for international students is $24,200. The acceptance rate for international students is 85%. Northern Illinois University is ranked #257 in the U.S. News & World Report's "National Universities" category, and it is also ranked #39 in the Forbes "America's Best Colleges" list.

Top Reasons to Study in the Northern Illinois University

  • Strong academic reputation: Northern Illinois University is a highly-ranked university with a strong focus on undergraduate education.

 

  • Vibrant campus life: Northern Illinois University has a vibrant campus life with a variety of student organizations, intramural sports, and cultural events.

 

  • Entrepreneurship: Northern Illinois University has a strong focus on entrepreneurship, and it offers a variety of programs and resources to help students start their businesses.

 

  • Commitment to research: Northern Illinois University is a major research university with over $50 million in annual research expenditures.

 

  • Beautiful campus: Northern Illinois University's campus is located in a beautiful setting on the shores of DeKalb Lake.

 

  • Strong alumni network: Northern Illinois University has a strong alumni network that can provide students with support and guidance after graduation.

Check your eligibility at over 2000+ universities by connecting with our experts!

0%

Courses

MS in Computer Science

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Rolling

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

18 Months

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$19,406/yr

MS in Management Information Systems

College of Business

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Rolling

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

18 Months

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$22,420/yr

MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Rolling

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

24 Months

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$15,536/yr

MS in Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Rolling

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

24 Months

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$16,022/yr

MS in Electrical Engineering

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Rolling

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

NA

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$14,322/yr

MS in Industrial & System Engineering - (Thesis Option)

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Rolling

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

24 Months

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$14,322/yr

Masters in Business Administration (Global)

College of Business

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Fall, 25/08/2025

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

12 Months

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$37,412/yr

Masters in School Business Management

College of Education

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Rolling

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

12 Months

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$33,504/yr

MS in Statistics

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Rolling

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

24 Months

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$14,405/yr

MS in Integrated Systems Engineering

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Will you get in?

Application deadline

Application deadline

Rolling

Degree

Degree

Masters

Duration

Duration

24 Months

Tuition fee

Tuition fee

$14,291/yr

Cost of Studying at Northern Illinois University

Average tuition fee

Reasonable

Get Full Coverage at 0 Cost

Just fill in your preferences and reach the best loan offer with Loan Finder

5000+ Students

Availed education loan

3000+ Cr

Loan amount approved

100% Free

Assistance for loan

Living expenses

Average living expenses (Bachelors)

$40,862

Average living expenses (Masters)

$43,599

Admissions at The Northern Illinois University

Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)

70%

Application Fee

$60


How to Apply at Northern Illinois University

Undergraduate

 

  • Visit the Northern Illinois University website and create an account.
  • Complete the online application.
  • Submit your high school transcript.
  • Submit your SAT or ACT scores.
  • Submit two letters of recommendation.
  • Submit a personal statement.
  • Pay the application fee. ($50)

 

Graduate

 

  • Visit the Northern Illinois University website and create an account.
  • Complete the online application.
  • Submit your official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.
  • Submit your GRE or GMAT scores (if required).
  • Submit two letters of recommendation.
  • Submit a personal statement.
  • Pay the application fee. ($50)

Documents Required to Apply to Northern Illinois University

Undergraduate Admissions

To be considered for admission to Northern Illinois University as an undergraduate student, you must submit the following:

 

  • An application form
  • Official high school transcripts
  • SAT or ACT scores
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Application fee ($50)

 

Graduate Admissions

To be considered for admission to Northern Illinois University as a graduate student, you must submit the following:

 

  • An application form
  • Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended
  • GRE or GMAT scores (if required)
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement
  • Application fee ($50)

 

Additional Requirements for International Students

International students who are applying to Northern Illinois University must also submit the following:

 

  • Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic)
  • Financial documentation
  • A letter of motivation

Exams Accepted By Northern Illinois University

English Proficiency Exams

 

  • TOEFL: 80 iBT or 610 PBT
  • IELTS: 6.5
  • PTE Academic: 52
  • Duolingo: 110
  • Cambridge English: C1 Advanced

 

GRE

 

  • Verbal Reasoning: 300
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 300
  • Analytical Writing: 3.0

 

GMAT

 

  • Verbal: 550
  • Quantitative: 550
  • Analytical Writing: 4.0

 

SAT

 

  • Reading and Writing: 1050
  • Math: 600

 

ACT

 

  • Composite: 22

 

Please note that these are just the minimum scores required for admission at Northern Illinois University. The actual scores required may vary depending on the program you are applying to. For more information, please visit the Northern Illinois University's website.


⏱️ Find Your Perfect College Match in 30 Seconds

Just pick your degree - we’ll handle the rest. Instant shortlist, no guesswork.

community-students-image Trusted by 120K+ users

Which degree do you want to study?

I want to do
Bachelors

I want to do
Masters/MBA

info-icon

Select one of the options to get started

Rankings for The Northern Illinois University

US News Ranking

#273

US News National rank

The World University Rankings

#801-1000

The World University Rankings


More rankings for this university

View More Rankings

Students

944

Ӱ̳ers Applied

831

Ӱ̳ers Admitted

2,581

Ӱ̳ers Interested

Northern Illinois University admitted student profiles

TOEFL

91

IELTS

7

Profiles that got Into Northern Illinois University

loggedout-user-icon
Vinit Bhosale
fall 2024
university Logo
Northern Illinois University

GRE 279

loggedout-user-icon
Shikhar Sahu
fall 2024
university Logo
Northern Illinois University

TOEFL 73

GRE 293

IELTS 6.5

loggedout-user-icon
Venkata Srikar Gali
fall 2024
university Logo
Northern Illinois University

IELTS 7.5

GRE 329

loggedout-user-icon
Mc Tallapaneni
fall 2024
university Logo
Northern Illinois University

TOEFL 94

GRE 315

Related Discussion for the Universities

Ask, post and discuss!

Have a question? Ask and discuss with your fellow aspirants!

Asritha Konde
Asritha Konde

a year ago

Finding roommates for NIU.
Hi guys, I am a fall 2024 student who opted NIU for masters in computer science. Please let me know if any one opted NIU and are searching for roommates like me.
Asritha Konde
Asritha Konde

a year ago

Any NIU here
Hi guys, If any one heading to NIU. I am also heading for NIU 😊
Ramya Siliveri
Ramya Siliveri

a year ago

I have applied to NIU in the month of December for fall 2024 intake, I haven’t received the admit yet, any suggestions?
Mounika Reddy
Mounika Reddy

2 years ago

Is april 2023 is late to apply for universities in USA for CS for aug/sept 2023 intake. Particularly for NIU.
Everyone is telling it is late to apply. Even though deadline is till may 1st 2023. Almost all admits got filled. #applicationprocess

Reviews for Northern Illinois University

Campus life

Number of campuses the university has
1

Campus locations
Illinois


Transportation in the city

  • Bus: Northern Illinois University operates a bus system called the Huskie Bus. The bus system has 14 routes that serve the campus and surrounding areas. Bus fares are $1.25 for a single ride or $3.50 for a day pass.

 

  • Bike: DeKalb is a very bike-friendly city, and there are many bike lanes and trails throughout the city. The university also has a bike share program called Northern Illinois University Bikes. Northern Illinois University Bikes has over 200 bikes that students can rent for a fee.

 

  • Walk: The Northern Illinois University campus is relatively small, so it is easy to walk from one class to another. There are also many sidewalks and crosswalks in the area, so it is safe to walk.

 

  • Ride-sharing: Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are also available in DeKalb for Northern Illinois University students. This is a convenient option for Northern Illinois University students if they need to get to a destination that is not served by public transportation.’

 

  • Car: If you need to drive, there are several parking garages on campus. Parking permits are required, and they can be purchased online or at the Northern Illinois University Transportation Services office.

Services offered by the university

  • Academic Advising: The Northern Illinois University Office of Academic Advising provides students with individual advising, group advising, and workshops on academic planning.

 

  • Career Services: The Northern Illinois University Career Services office helps students with resume writing, job search skills, and interviewing techniques. They also have a job board and career fairs.

 

  • Financial Aid: The Northern Illinois University Financial Aid office helps students with applying for financial aid, understanding financial aid packages, and managing their finances.
  • Student Health Services: The Northern Illinois University Student Health Services office provides medical, dental, and mental health services to students. They also have a pharmacy and a counselling centre.

 

  • Housing and Residential Life: The Northern Illinois University Housing and Residential Life office provides housing options for students, including traditional residence halls, apartments, and Greek houses. They also offer a variety of programs and activities for residents at Northern Illinois University.

 

  • Student Activities: The Northern Illinois University Student Activities office coordinates a variety of student activities, including clubs, organizations, intramural sports, and cultural events.

 

  • Athletics: Northern Illinois University is a member of the Mid-American Conference and competes in Division I athletics. The Huskies are one of the most successful college football programs in the MAC, having won 10 conference championships. Northern Illinois University also competes in a variety of other sports, including basketball, baseball, softball, and volleyball.

Student life at Northern Illinois University

  • Student population: Northern Illinois University has a student population of over 20,000 students. The student body is made up of students from all 50 states and over 100 countries.

 

  • Volunteering: There are many opportunities to volunteer your time at Northern Illinois University. Northern Illinois University has several service-learning opportunities, and students can also volunteer with local organizations.

 

  • Percentage of international students: 8% of Northern Illinois University students are international students.

 

  • Number of student organizations: Northern Illinois University has over 300 student organizations. These organizations represent a wide range of interests, including academic, cultural, social, and political.

 

  • Intramural sports: Northern Illinois University offers over 40 intramural sports. These sports are a great way to stay active and meet new people.

 

  • Greek life: Northern Illinois University has 20 fraternities and sororities. Greek life is a great way to get involved on campus and make lifelong friends.

 

  • Student government: Northern Illinois University has a student government that is made up of students from all over campus. The student government at Northern Illinois University is responsible for representing student interests to the university administration.

Read More

Faculty Information

Jobs and Opportunities

FAQ