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Campus Life

Campus Size

Large Campus
17,856
Total Undergrads
Including 2,027 Part-time
2,705
Degree-Seeking Freshmen
Including 42 Part-time
Gender Breakdown:
52% Women
48% Men

Athletics

NCAA Division I-A

Mid-American Conference

  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • Cross Country/Track

Total Varsity Sports

7
Men's sports coaches (Average salary: $151,346)
8
Women's sports coaches (Average salary: $71,337)
Athletics Details
Sport Varsity Men Varsity Women Club Intramural
All Track Combined - 101 Yes -
Baseball 34 - Yes -
Basketball 15 22 - Yes
Football 117 - - -
Golf 11 12 - Yes
Gymnastics - 20 - -
Soccer 31 29 Yes Yes
Softball - 19 - Yes
Tennis 6 9 Yes Yes
Volleyball - 23 Yes Yes
Wrestling 31 - - -
Badminton - - - Yes
Bowling - - - Yes
Court Sports - - - Yes
Equestrian - - Yes -
Fencing - - Yes -
Field Hockey - - - Yes
Flag Football - - - Yes
Frisbee/Disc Sports - - Yes Yes
Ice Hockey - - Yes -
Indoor Fitness/Recreation - - - Yes
Lacrosse - - Yes -
Martial Arts/Self Defense - - Yes Yes
Rugby - - Yes -
Swimming and Diving - - Yes -
Table Tennis - - Yes Yes
Water Polo - - Yes -
Water Sports - - Yes -

Diversity

Student Total
American Indian/Alaskan Native 0.5%
Asian/Pacific Islander 5.3%
Black/non-Hispanic 11.2%
Hispanic 7.3%
Non-resident alien 3.6%
Race/Ethnicity unknown 5.1%
Two or more races 0.0%
White/non-Hispanic 67.0%
Disabilities
Percent of students with disability 3% or less

Services & Housing

Services Offered
  • Academic/Career counseling
  • Employment services for current students to find part-time positions
  • Job placement for graduates to find full-time employment
  • Daycare on campus for children of students
  • Library on campus
Living
  • On-Campus Housing
  • Meal plan offered, meals per week can vary

Clubs & Organizations

Musical Groups
  • Choral Groups
  • Concert Band
  • Jazz Band
  • Symphony Orchestra
Performance Arts
  • Dance
  • Drama Theater
  • Opera
Journalism & Publications
  • Student Newspaper
  • Television Station
  • Radio Station
Reserved Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)
  • Army ROTC
Other
  • Student Government

Safety Statistics

Arrests On Campus
Illegal Weapons Possession 4
Drug Law Violation 60
Liquor Law Violation 46
Criminal Offenses On Campus
Personal Crime 5
Property Crime 15

Notable Alumni

  • Dan Castellaneta [Class of 79], Emmy Award winning voice of Homer Simpson
  • Dennis Hastert [Class of 67], Former Speaker of the House of Representatives
  • Paul Sereno [Class of 79], World famous paleontologist who discovered the Carcharodontosaurus, the largest dinosaur known to man.
  • Steve Harris [Class of 89], Emmy nominated star of The Practice and The Rock
  • Joan Allen [Class of 89], Academy Award nominated actress who has starred in films such as The Contender, and Nixon
Reviews: Dorm Life
  • james from Chicago, IL
  • 4
  • “I have never lived on campus and don't plan to. Crimes are daily. Once a fight broke out over a motzerrala stick. By what i have seen students are very…”

  • Jan-05-2012 » Read More
  • Ashley from Streamwood, IL
  • 3
  • “niu does not call the rooms 'dorms.' instead they are called residence halls. niu's important aspect to them is the sense of community. residence advisors? we call them community advisors.…”

  • Feb-03-2012 » Read More
  • Esha
  • 4
  • “Speaking from my personal experience, im glad that the dorms were a requirement for freshmen. It was a great way to meet new people and also get used to the…”

  • Jul-10-2012 » Read More
  • Monique from Maywood, IL
  • 3
  • “Dorm life is so exciting and fun. If you are a girl i advise you to live on a coed floor because girls are surprisingly dirty and full of drama.…”

  • Jul-18-2012 » Read More

Reviews

Student Responses to Review Topic: Food And Dining
  • 4
  • Mallory from Moline, IL
  • May-06-2013 I am a current student here

    They have decent food; some places are healthier than others. A few dorms offer unlimited dining plans (which is cheapest) and others have weekly budget plans (unlimited, $60, $90, and $110). Lots of options, and many restaurants take Huskie bucks, money on your id card.

    » Read More
  • 5
  • Taylor from Belvidere, IL
  • Apr-30-2013 I am a current student here

    For college, it is amazing. Many different types of food to eat. Each dorm has daily specials. This is one of the activities that really brings students from other dorms together.

    » Read More
  • 5
  • Kyra from Chicago, IL
  • Apr-10-2013 I am a current student here

    food is very good,but make sure you stock up on food in your doom for later on in the night,so you wont spend so much time eating out

    » Read More
  • 5
  • Ashley from Loves Park, IL
  • Mar-15-2013 I am a current student here

    While it isn't gourmet or homecooked food, the dining at NIU is great. There are dining halls all over campus, which all specialize in different things. Some of the specialty foods they make are so good that I actually crave them!

    » Read More
  • 4
  • Chavon from Chicago, IL
  • Mar-15-2013 I am a current student here

    The food is good and there are many places to go to when you want to eat. When you enroll, you get a choice of a meal plan for the dining halls you can go to. The dining halls offer many choices from healthy vegetarian foods to handmade supreme toppings pizza.

    » Read More
  • 4
  • Manisha from Chicago, IL
  • Mar-06-2013 I am a current student here

    Freshman 15 is no joke! With a 24 hour IHOP right around the corner from campus and weekly meal plan money, you're sure to put on some weight! The food isn't mom's home cooking but it gets the job done.

    » Read More
Student Responses to Review Topic: Greek Life
  • 0
  • Mallory from Moline, IL
  • May-06-2013 I am a current student here

    Greek life is good for those who are interested. There's a rivalry between some Greeks and non-Greeks, but most people don't care. Greeks do a lot of activities on campus, but there's a lot of obligations if you decide to join a sorority or fraternity.

    » Read More
  • 0
  • Unknown
  • Mar-18-2013 I am a current student here

    wasn't a part of it but i've gone to a few parties.. weren't to fun..

    » Read More
  • 0
  • Marcus from Dekalb, IL
  • Jan-27-2013 I am a current student here

    The Greek Life on campus has a lot of support from the students. The events on campus they put on are very promoting of unity and expression.

    » Read More