Northern Illinois University
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Northern Illinois University: Ranking, Cost, Acceptance Rate & Admissions 2024

Shiksha popularity ranking
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#774 in World

#218 in USA

Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 19 Sep '25

NIU USA
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The last date to submit all application documents at Northern Illinois University for the Spring semester is Oct 1, 2025.

About Northern Illinois University

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Year of establishment
1895
Also known as
NIU
University website
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Student website
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Total foreign students
1211
Campus size
756 acres
No. of campus
4
Endowment value
USD 74 million
Scholarships granted
11297
Scholarship amount granted
USD 104 million
English proficiency test
Required
Accepted exams
SAT/ACT accepted
Not required
Total faculty
819
Faculty/Student ratio
14
Total criminal offences
131
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights
Q:   What is Northern Illinois University known for?
A: 

The Northern Illinois Univeristy is known for being among an illustrious group of higher education institutions, that form part of the "R2 Universities". The tag "R2" is given by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, that rewards institutes for their high-research activity & expenditure over the course of an academic year.

The institute lays a major emphasis on experential learning. As a result, its student population is exposed to some of the best industrial practices from the early years of their education.

Q:   Does Northern Illinois University require an application fee?
A: 

After fulfilling the eligibility for undergraduate and graduate programs at NIU, students must fill out the required personal details and submit the documents, such as transcripts, test scores, English language proficiency scores, essays, letters of recommendation, and more. After completing the application, students must pay USD 50 (INR 4K) for the UG programme and USD 60 (INR 5K) for the PG programme as an application fee at Northern Illinois University.  

Q:   What is the ranking of Northern Illinois University?
A: 

The Northern Illinois University ranks highly as part of university rankings given by prominent domestic & international publications. Shiksha Popularity Rankings ranks NIU #207 among all higher educational institutions in the United States.

Shiksha also ranks some of its major courses, very highly, as given below:

CourseRanking
MS#228
MIM#158
MA#179
MSN#182
BBA#205
LLM#215

Northern Illinois University Ranking 2026

#774

World level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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#218

Country level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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Course wise : Shiksha Popularity Rankings
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Commonly asked questions
On Rankings
Q:   Which is the #1 university in Illinois?
A: 

The University of Chicago ranks #1, as per the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings of the best colleges/universities in Illinois. The institute also happens to be one of the best higher educational institutes in the US, securing a country-level rank of #13 as part of Shiksha's rankings.

Being such a highly rated institution means, it is also one of the most selective institutions in the United States, with an acceptance rate of only around 5%. 

Prospective students must perform extremely well in school/college level academics & satisfy the institute's academic requirements to have a chance of a seat at UChicago.

Q:   What is Northern Illinois University ranked in the world?
A: 

NIU's global rank varies with different ranking publications, as each publisher has its own criteria of assessment of an institution.

A major ranking platform ranks the institute #801 as part of its Global University Rankings 2025, while another prominent publisher ranks it #1181 as part of its Best Global Universities Rankings.

The same publisher also gives NIU a country-level rank of #273 in its rankings of US Universities.

Northern Illinois University Admissions 2026

  • Application fees :No Fees
  • Type of deadline :Depends on course
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNeeded for few courses
LORNeeded for few courses
EssaysNot required
CVNeeded for few courses
Additional documentsRequired
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   How many international students are studying in Northern illinois University?
A: 

According to Northern illinois University data from 2020-2021, a small portion of the student body consists of international students, showcasing a wide range of diversity. Specifically, Northern Illinois University had a total of 735 international students enrolled, with 173 of them pursuing undergraduate degrees. Northern Illinois University has a moderate level of selectivity. Once all the applications are in, the university evaluates them one by one. The average ACT score for admitted students is around 22. To secure a spot at the university, students need to demonstrate exceptional abilities and achieve high scores. In some cases, students may need to provide work portfolios or essays as part of their admission process. Gaining admission to this university is a challenging endeavor.

Q:   Can an average indian student from tier 2 / tier 3 indian student join Northern illinois University?
A: 

Getting admission to Northern Illinois University or any other prestigious university requires students with passion, commitment and diligence. With sincerity, any student who can afford to study abroad can join Northern Illinois University. However, students must fulfil the eligibility criteria of the programme they are seeking admission into. Indian students seeking admission at Illinois University are required to have a minimum education of high school from a recognised board, with English, mathematics, Science and social Science as compulsory subjects. Furthermore, they are also required to show their English Language Proficiency by qualifying for any of the exams such as TOEFL iBT/ TOEFL PBT/ IELTS and others.s If an Indian student from tier 2/ tier 3 manages to satisfy the eligibility criteria, then she/he can surely join Northern Illinois University.

Q:   What are the admission requirements for international students at Northeastern Illinois University?
A: 

International students willing to take part in UG and PG programs at Northeastern Illinois University must fulfill the basic eligibility criteria and submit the documents required by the university. The admission requirements for international students at Northeastern Illinois University are given below:

Undergraduate requirements:

  • Students must hold a high school Diploma degree
  • Official transcripts
  • English language requirements

Graduate requirements:

  • Students must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
  • 2.75 undergraduate GPA (on a 4.0-point scale)
  • Unofficial transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Proof of English proficiency 

NIU USA
Northern Illinois University Scholarships

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Commonly asked questions
On Scholarships
Q:   Does Northern Illinois University offer scholarships to international students?
A: 

Yes, Northern Illinois University offer scholarships to support international students. Northern Illinois University offers mainly two types of scholarships to international students; Merit scholarship and Housing scholarship. The award given in Merit and Housing scholarship are given below.

Scholarship NameAward (per year)
Merit ScholarshipUSD 5,000 to USD 9,000 (INR 415,135 - 747,243)
Housing ScholarshipUSD 3,600 (INR 298,897)

*USD/INR = 83.03

NIU USA Popular Courses

MS
MBA/PGDM
B.E. / B.Tech
B.Sc.
More

₹15.16 LGet Fee Details

₹16.31 LGet Fee Details

₹15 LGet Fee Details

₹9.31 LGet Fee Details

₹17.77 LGet Fee Details

View AllMS Courses

NIU USA
Students Ratings & Reviews

4.2/5
Verified Icon1 Verified ReviewInfo Icon
Student Views (Based on Reviews)
  • 0% students never faced discrimination in this university
Vibe of Campus
Friendly
Liberal
Academically oriented
Internships4
Part time work5
Post study jobs4
Quality of faculty4
Student Life4
Value for money3
Public transportation5
Safety5
Indian Food4
Permanent Immigration4
M
Mallipudi Sri Satya Sai Gayathri Verified Icon
Master of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2024
4.2
Fun and relishing college.
Tips: Before joining this college, part time opportunities and accommodations should be taken care of. One should have clear mindset for working hard and everything is good in here. The opportunities we get should be made use of. It is the best university you would ever go in Illinois state.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1064
Prepping time for classes12 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 110665
Reviewed on 8 Nov 2022Read more
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Northern Illinois University Placements

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Commonly asked questions
On Placements
Q:   How is the placement for M.A. at Northern illinois University?
A: 

The Placement opportunities at Northern Illinois University are quite good. The Placement rate varies according to the courses. The Placement rate for M.A is usually 76%. The average Placement lies between 3.4-3.6 LPA and the high Placement lies between 6.6-6.9 LPA. The University also provides ample of Internship opportunities or summer training to the students to enhance their skills and boost their knowledge.

Q:   Which companies are the top employers of Northern Illinois University graduates?
A: 

Northern Illinois University is among the top universities for international students in Canada. The University is known for having the highest placement rate. Moreover, university graduates are consistently in high demand worldwide. Also, the graduates work in top sectors such as Business Development, Sales, Engineering, Information Technology, and more. A few of the top employers at Northern Illinois University are listed below:

  • Amazon
  • Microsoft
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Salesforce
  • Chief
  • PwC
  • United Airlines
  • CDW
  • McDonald’s
  • AbbVie
  • Discover Financial Services

Northern Illinois University Fees

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MS(10 courses)
INR 9 L - 27 LGet Fee Details
Duration1 year-24 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 53 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above, GRE, GMAT
MBA/PGDM(4 courses)
INR 13 L - 48 LGet Fee Details
Duration12-24 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo, GMAT, GRE
B.E. / B.Tech(2 courses)
INR 11 L - 17 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 71 & Above, PTE, Duolingo
B.Sc.(1 course)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 71 & Above, PTE, Duolingo
MPA(1 course)
Duration18-24 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo
BBA(1 course)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 71 & Above, PTE, Duolingo
M.A.(3 courses)
INR 13 L - 27 LGet Fee Details
Duration18-24 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 53 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above, GRE
B.J.M.C.(1 course)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 71 & Above, PTE, Duolingo
Read more
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility
Q:   How much is the tuition fee in Northern illinois University?
A: 

The tuition charge for international students at Northern Ilinois University varies depending on whether the student belongs to the same state or he/she is an International students. It is critical to submit tuition money on time because if students fail to do so, their grades will be withheld by the university. Check below the average tuition fees for Northern Illinois University courses for International students. 

Courses1st Year Tuition Fees
INR 9 L - 15 L
INR 16 L
INR 45 L
Q:   What is the tuition fee (per annum) for various programs at NIU?
A: 

The university provides around 90 undergraduates, 58 masters’, and 27 doctoral degree programs in specializations such as Computer Science; Chemistry; Biology; Mathematics; and more. Northern Illinois University fees range between INR 19L and INR 23L for UG programs and for PG, it is between INR 11L and INR 23L. Students can check the tuition fees for the popular programs below:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

MS (5 courses)

INR 12 L - 16 L

MBA/PGDM (3 courses)

INR 13 L - 15 L

MA (22 courses)

INR 12 L - 23 L

BA (20 courses)

INR 19 L - 22 L

BSc (8 courses)

INR 19 L - 22 L

BBA (7 courses)

INR 19 L

MPH (1 course)

INR 16 L

BE/ BTech (2 courses)

INR 19 L - 23 L

MIM (2 courses)

INR 13 L - 14 L

Q:   What are the requirements for MS in CS at Northern Illinois University?
A: 

International students must meet the below Northern Illinois University requirements for MS in Computer Science admission:

·      Must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline

·      Official Undergraduate transcripts.

·      The Standard GRE Examination (no subject exam required)

·      Submit English language proficiency test score

·      Two letters of recommendation

·      A Statement of Purpose.

·      Resume or CV







NIU USA
Student profile

Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success
UG Race

Others

48%

Hispanic

23%

Black

20%

Asian

6%

UG Applicant Icon

UG Number of Applicant

25961
grad RateIcon

Overall Graduation Rate

53

Northern Illinois University Notable Alumni

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Commonly asked questions
On Alumni
Q:   Who are the notable alumni of Northern Illinois University?
A: 

Northern Illinois University is one of the best universities for higher education in the United States. With over 245,000 alumni members all over the world. The University graduates work in top sectors such as Business Development, Operations, Education, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and more. Some of the famous personalities that are part of the university alumni network include:

  • Robert Zemeckis
  • Tammy Duckworth
  • Joan Allen
  • Kurt Sutter
  • Dan Castellaneta
  • Wood Harris
  • Maria Kanellis
  • Anies Baswedan
  • Matt Walsh
  • Carrie Snodgress
  • P. J. Fleck
  • Charlotte Kate Fox
  • Jose Manuel Diokno
  • Samantha Irby
  • Markos Moulitsas
  • Robin Kelly
Q:   How many alumni does Northern Illinois University have?
A: 

Northern Illinois University has a vast alumni of more than 245,000 members who work for top companies worldwide. The graduates work for top companies such as Amazon, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and more. Some famous people who went to the university include Robin Kelly, Fritz Peterson, Tim Gullikson, Paul Sereno, etc. The University alumni network includes various famous personalities, innovators, leaders, entrepreneurs, and more. Moreover, the graduates are highly skilled in Leadership, Project Management, Marketing, Business Development, etc.

Northern Illinois University Vs UIUC Vs DePaul University: Which is better?

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Compare NIU USA with other similar colleges

MS
MBA/PGDM
B.E. / B.Tech
B.Sc.
MPA
BBA
M.A.
B.J.M.C.
College1st Year Tuition FeesRanking
INR 9.31 L - 26.68 L#301 US News, 2026
INR 13.94 L - 48.71 L#257 US News, 2026
INR 10.26 L - 16.25 L -/-
INR 11.25 L - 18.49 L -/-
INR 9.71 L - 26.48 L#222 US News, 2026
INR 13.5 L - 19.79 L -/-
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
View comparisonsRight Arrow Icon
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Commonly asked questions
On Comparisons
Q:   Which is a better university among Northern Illinois University and University of Illinois (Urbana Campus)?
A: 

Northern Illinois University and the University of Illinois Urbana Campus are the most esteemed universities in the United States. Both universities offers something unique for their international and domestic students. When choosing a university, students must consider some crucial factors. A few crucial factors include rankings, fee, scholarships, placement rate, average salary, and more. Check the comparison listed below between Northern Illinois University and UIUC:

Parameters

NIU

UIUC

Shiksha Popularity Ranking

#207

#25

Average Salary

INR 50.44 LPA

INR 62 LPA

QS World Ranking 2025

NA

#69

Popular Programs

Business, Management, Information Technology

Engineering, Business, Psychology

Location

DeKalb, Illinois, USA

Champaign, Illinois, USA

Annual Tuition Cost

UG - INR 10.62 L - 16.37 L | PG - INR 8.77 L - 44.77 L

UG - INR 28.06 L - 35.84 L | PG - INR 14.77 L - 45.15 L

Acceptance Rate

Around 71%

Around 45%

Q:   Which is harder to get into among Northern Illinois University and University of Illinois-Urbana Campus?
A: 

Both NIU & UIUC are considered part of the best universities in the region. However, both are selective at granting admissions to its students, to varying extents. The NIU acceptance rate stands at 70% while that of UIUC is around 45%.  Thus, the Northern Illinois University is relatively less selective at granting admissions as compared to University of Illinois-Urbana.

Despite that, interested candidates must still perform well in academics & university entrance exams to have a good chance of securing a seat at either institute.

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Northern Illinois University FAQs

Q:   What is the opinion of those who have gone to Northern Illinois University (NIU) for engineering and business majors?
A: 

Northern Illinois University's College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET) has a good reputation for its programs in various engineering fields, including mechanical, electrical, and industrial engineering. The CEET is accredited by ABET, which is a well-known accrediting agency for engineering programs. In general, Northern Illinois University is a good choice for students who want to earn a degree that will look good on their resumes, especially in the fields of engineering and business. However, it is important to note that the value of a degree ultimately depends on various factors, such as the student's academic performance, work experience, and networking skills, among others.

Q:   What is it like to attend Northern Illinois University?
A: 

As per one of the former Northern Illinois University graduates; It is a fairly good University, its Education is one of the top schools in the States. I enjoyed my years there. I found many good friends above all many great professors.

Q:   Which is the better university for M.A. in USA, Northern illinois University or Illinois State University?
A: 

 The Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, IL while Illinois State University is located in Normal, IL. Northern Illinois University is ranked 412 Nationally while Illinois State University is ranked 467 Nationally. Illinois State University is 20% more expensive to attend than Northern Illinois University and the admission standards are easy in Northern Illinois Universilty while the admission standards are moderate in Illinois State University.  
 

Q:   Can students apply for Part-time jobs while studying at Northern illinois University?
A: 

Certainly, students at Northern Illinois University can seek employment opportunities while pursuing their studies. If a student is in their last year, they are eligible to apply for internships or jobs. Throughout the semester, the University permits students to work up to 20 hours per week on campus, and during breaks, full-time work is allowed. Students also get the chance to sit as part of on campus placements.

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NIU USA

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a month ago

Yes, Northern Illinois University has been ranked #150 in Best Law Schools by U.S. News. Some of the other rankings for other NIU schools and programs are given below:

#61 in Best Public Affairs Programs 

#135 in Economics 

#82 in Statistics 

#150 in Best Law Schools 

#107 in Political Science 

#160 in Mathematics 

#120 in History 

#192 in Chemistry 

#131 in English 

#251 in Biological Sciences 

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

The NIU cost of attendance for international students for 2025-26 is given below: 

Particulars 

UG 

PG (12 Credit Hours) 

Tuition

USD 10,742 (INR 9.3L) 

USD 9,304 (INR 8.1L) 

Fees

USD 3,050 (INR 2.6L) 

USD 3,494 (INR 3.0L) 

Loan Fees (UG)/Federal Student Loan Fees (PG)

USD 72 (INR 6.2K) 

USD 178 (INR 15.4K) 

Living Expenses

USD 14,680 (INR 12.7L) 

USD 16,374 (INR 14.2L) 

Transportation 

USD 1,140 (INR 99.0K) 

USD 3,398 (INR 3.0L) 

Books, supplies, course materials, and equipment 

USD 1,200 (INR 1.0L) 

USD 1,188 (INR 1.0L) 

Miscellaneous personal expenses 

USD 1,600 (INR 1.4L) 

USD 1,600 (INR 1.4L) 

Total4 

USD 32,484 (INR 28.2L) 

USD 35,536 (INR 30.8L) 

(1 USD = INR 86.75) 

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Yes, Northern Illinois University campus boasts 17 intercollegiate athletic teams that compete in the NCAA Division I. These teams are known as the Northern Illinois Huskies. In 2024,  thirty-one of the student-athletes of NIU earned the 1A FAR Academic Excellence Award. A total of 400+ student-athl

...Read more

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 months ago

Yes, international students are not required to pay any tuition fee to apply at Nothern Illinois University at UG level, however students are required to pay an NIU application fee of USD 60 (INR 5.1 K)

B

Bhumika Vimal

Contributor-Level 8

Answered 4 months ago

Northern Illinois University is considered a good university and there are two intakes in a year namely: Fall and Spring. After making a successful application at this university, it takes them two to three weeks for upadating an application decision to the students. 

Students can also check the stat

...Read more

P

Piyush Rastogi

Contributor-Level 8

About the author

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Akansha katariya

Study Abroad Expert

Akansha katariya is a content creator at shiksha.com, creating content for study abroad. Having pursued B tech. in Electronics and communication from RGPV University, she has been creating content across diverse domains. When not guiding students, sh...Read Full Bio
NIU USA Others(1)Northern Illinois University
NIU USA Others(2)Aerial View
NIU USA Others(3)Altgeld Hall
NIU USA Others(1)
NIU USA Others(2)

NIU USA
Location

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University CityDeKalb, Illinois, USA

NIU USA
Campuses

Departments Icon4   Campuses
NIU CampusUp Arrow Icon
Address

Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, 231 N Annie Glidden Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA

Visit official site External Link Icon

NIU USA
Contact Information

Address

1425 W. Lincoln Hwy.
DeKalb, IL 60115-2828

DeKalb ( Illinois)

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