Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL, USA

Tuition, Cost & Aid

Affordability and Cost

Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.

Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$14,397
Calculate your net cost
Average Net Price By Family Income
Income
Average Amount
< $30k
$10,395
$30k - $48k
$11,499
$48k - $75k
$13,778
$75k - $110k
$16,882
$110k+
$20,068
Tuition
In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution.
$12,472
Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school.
$12,472
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
  • (amount for on-campus room, board and other expenses * # of students living on-campus.
  • + amount for off-campus (with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus with family
  • + amount for off-campus (not with family) room, board and other expenses * # of students living off-campus not with family)
divided by the total # of students. Students whose living arrangements are unknown are excluded from the calculation. For some institutions the # of students by living arrangement will be known, but dollar amounts will not be known. In this case the # of students with no corresponding dollar amount will be excluded from the denominator.
$11,420
Books and Supplies
$1,300
Tuition Payment Plan
Yes
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]

Aid & Grants

0
100
67%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
43%
Average Aid Per Year
$11,848
Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution.
43%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,899
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$5,426
Students receiving state aid
69%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$4,617
Students receiving federal aid
64%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$4,899
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$76,485,408
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$11,944,614

Student Loans

Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
69%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,741
Students receiving federal loans
68%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$5,721
Average Other Loans Per Year
$10,930
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$18,251
Loan Default Rate
7%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$216

What Students Are Saying

Only $830/class. This is very good for a non-community college. The drom prices are what will hurt (nearly $1000/mo.), but appartments are only $275/mo. And with the top Accounting program and one of the best business colleges in the state, it certainly is a hefty discount.
Erik from Hanover Park, IL
Northern Illinois University gives you what you pay for, in every aspect. The resources on campus are outstanding. There's a student center full of recreational activities, educational information, food, and tools for being a student.
Calvin from Island Lake, IL
Whatever you do, do not let your money go to waste. We're college students and we're here for a purpose and that's to further our education. Don't let the freedom drive you away from your priorities. Your academics come first, then your social life. It's a shame to see how so many students fail out of college, simply from partying to much, and losing thousands of dollars in loans and or scholarship money.
emmanuella from Round Lake Beach, IL
School is not cheap. But NIU has a renowned education program known for producing quality, ethical, successful students into the working world. And for such a well-known and respectable school, you are really getting your moneys worth here.
Brittany
I believe they charge entirely too much for the dorms but for your education the price is right. You get everything you need in order to succeed.
Latoya from Matteson, IL
You learn a lot, its worth the money.
Beca from Chicago, IL
I think it's pretty good, at least for the in-state students. As an out-of-state student, it is a lot more expensive (double tuition) so you should try to establish residency if you can.
Rehtse
Cost for school can be expensive, but you get what you pay for. The dorms are nice and apartments vary.
Beatriz from Chicago, IL
The main absolutely awesome deal, is that of our meal plan. I am on the lowest level meal plan with $60 a week, I never have any reason to be hungry and I almost never run out of food money. Clubs are often free or at least relatively cheap. And as for activities, Monday is one dollar bowling! What could be better! And it's no cost to visit or rent from the multi-story library or use the computers in the labs, plus free printing!
Katrina from Plainfield, IL