Highest Package
Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.
Northern Illinois University is a public research university in DeKaIb, Illinois, USA. It was founded in 1895 as “Northern Illinois State Normal School”, initially to provide the state with college-educated teachers.
In addition to the main campus in DeKalb, it has satellite centers in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon, Illinois. Northern Illinois University is composed of 7 degree-granting colleges including business, education, engineering and engineering technology, health and human sciences, law, liberal arts, and visual and performing arts. These 7 colleges are then organized further into 42 schools and departments. Through these colleges and schools, Northern Illinois University provides a total of 174 academic degree programs.
In the Fall 2024 academic year, for which the latest official data is available, total student enrollment at Northern Illinois University was 15,415 including 11,349 undergraduate students, 3,728 graduate students and 338 College of Law students. Out of this number, 972 were international students, and nearly 1,000 were from out-of-state.
2.1 Northern Illinois University Accommodation
4.1 Admission Requirements for Graduate courses
4.2 Admission Requirements for MBA
4.3 Admission Requirements for Undergraduate courses
6.1 NIU 2024-2025 Graduate Cost of Attendance
6.2 NIU 2025-26 Undergraduate Cost of Attendance
As per the US News & World Report, Northern Illinois University is ranked:
Other rankings include:
| Ranking Body | Index/Report | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Times Higher Education | World University Rankings 2025 | 801-1000 |
| QS Ranking | Sustainability Ranking 2025 | #1501 |
Also check: Northern Illinois University vs University of Alabama
NIU’s residence halls house over 3,500 NIU students each year. Living on campus provides many opportunities for students to meet people from different cultures, countries and ethnic backgrounds. When students live in an NIU residence hall, they have the ability to quickly become a comfortable, full-fledged member of the NIU community.
Also check: Student Accommodation in the USA: A Guide for Indian Students
Northern Illinois University provides a total of 174 academic degree programs, including 89 bachelor’s programs, 58 master’s programs and 27 doctoral programs, through its 7 colleges and their respective schools and departments.
Some of the popular programs at Northern Illinois University for international students are mentioned below:
| Program Name |
Tuition Fees (in USD) |
Tuition Fees (in INR) |
Campus | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration M.B.A. | 39,000 | 33,41,301 |
Chicago DeKalb Naperville Schaumburg |
College of Business |
| Executive M.B.A. [E.M.B.A.] | 60,000 | 51,40,464 | Naperville | College of Business |
| M.S Management Information Systems | 31,591 | 27,06,539 | DeKalb | College of Business |
| M.S. Finance | 28,626 | 24,52,515 | DeKalb | College of Business |
| M.S Computer Science | 27,720 | 23,74,894 | DeKalb | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| M.S Biological Sciences | 31,020 | 26,576,19 | DeKalb | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| M.S Nutrition and Dietetics | 31,020 | 26,57,619 | DeKalb | College of Health and Human Sciences |
Northern Illinois University requires international students to submit a number of documents along with the application. These documents vary among programs across undergraduate and graduate courses. Some programs may require additional documents, such as writing samples, test scores, and resumes.
The application fee for international students is $60 (₹ 5,140).
Northern Illinois University offers more than 80 graduate degree programs across 6 colleges - business, health and human sciences, education, liberal arts and sciences, visual and performing arts, and engineering and engineering technology. The eligibility criteria and the documents needed to be submitted are mostly the same for all programs, save a few. These have been mentioned below:
Eligibility criteria:
Documents required:
* The above 3 documents need to be submitted in both the native/original and English languages.
* Upon admission, the English proficiency test scores need to be sent to the NIU testing centre(except Duolingo, which can be sent directly through the website)
Certain graduate programs like M.S. Computer Science, M.S. Biological Sciences, M.S. Finance, and M.S. Nutrition and Dietetics required additional eligibility and documents, as mentioned below:
| Program | Additional eligibility and documents required |
|---|---|
| M. S. Computer Science |
Resume or CV B.S. or B.A. degree in computer science or any closely related field Test scores of all sections of GRE taken in the last 5 years |
| M.S. Finance | A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (at least 15 semester hours in Finance or department approval) |
| M.S. Biological Sciences | GRE Biology (Subject exam), along with GRE (general exam) |
| M.S. Nutrition and Dietetics |
2.75 GPA in the below mentioned subjects: General Chemistry (with lab) Biochemistry General or Cellular Biology Human anatomy and physiology Nutrition Statistics *International students can only apply for Fall semesters |
Northern Illinois University offers the MBA program in 4 formats - Executive MBA (EMBA), One-year MBA, Global MBA, and Online MBA. Each of these programs have different term duration as mentioned in the table below:
| MBA Format | About | Term duration |
|---|---|---|
| Executive MBA (EMBA) | Weekend classes only | 16 months |
| One-year MBA | Hybrid classes, with 75% online live sessions and 25% offline sessions | 12 months |
| Global MBA |
STEM-designed program. Students with F-1 visa can extend their stay in the US after graduation the Optional Practical Training (OPT) benefit. |
12 months |
| Online MBA | 100% online and no set meeting times | 16 months |
Along with the eligibility criteria and documents required for all Graduate courses, international students wanting to apply for an MBA program at Northern Illinois University need to meet some additional criteria, which are as follows:
For Global MBA program, further eligibility criteria are to be met:
Northern Illinois University provides a diverse array of majors, minors, and certificates, which students can customize as per their goals and interests. From traditional on-campus experiences to flexible online options, dual-degree (known as “accelerated programs”)paths to pre-professional programs, NIU offers flexibility and support students need to thrive.
The common eligibility criteria for all undergraduate programs include:
Northern Illinois University conducts 3 semesters per academic year - Spring, Summer and Fall. For the 2025 academic year, the Summer and Spring semesters applications are closed, while that of Fall will be opening on October 1, 2025.
Note: International students seeking student visas are not eligible to apply for summer term. However, visiting students and those who will be taking online courses are eligible to apply.
Below is a list of deadlines for all the 3 semesters:
| Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | May 1, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Spring | October 1, 2025 |
| Summer | May 15, 2026 (Tentative) |
Note: The deadlines remain the same for undergraduate and graduate courses and across their respective programs. However, these may be subject to change at the discretion of the University.
The cost of attendance (COA) is the average educationally-related costs a student may incur during their period of enrollment (semester or year). Cost of attendance includes tuition and fee costs, as well as allowances for the cost of books, course materials, supplies, and equipment, transportation, living expenses and miscellaneous personal expenses.
| Standard rate for 6 credit hours | Standard rate for 9 credit hours | Standard rate for 12 credit hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
$6,116 (₹5,23,969) |
$9,174 (₹7,85,954) |
$12,234 (₹10,48,110) |
| Federal Student Loan Fees (if borrowed) |
$176 (₹15,078) |
$176 (₹15,078) |
$176 (₹15,078) |
| Living expenses |
$15,446 (₹13,23,288) |
$15,446 (₹13,23,288) |
$15,446 (₹13,23,288) |
| Books, supplies, Course materials and Equipment |
$600 (₹51,403) |
$900 (₹77,104) |
$1,200 (₹1,02,806) |
| Transportation |
$3,268 (₹2,79,975) |
$3,268 (₹2,79,975) |
$3,268 (₹2,79,975) |
| Miscellaneous/personal expenses |
$2,368 (₹2,02,871) |
$2,368 (₹2,02,871) |
$2,368 (₹2,02,871) |
| Total |
$27,974 (₹23,96,585) |
$31,332 (₹26,84,271) |
$34,692 (₹29,72,129) |
| Category of expenses | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition |
$10,742 (₹9,20,287) |
| Living expenses |
$14,680 (₹12,57,663) |
| Transportation |
$1,140 (₹97,665) |
| Books, supplies, course materials & equipment |
$1,200 (₹1,02,806) |
| Miscellaneous personal expenses |
$1,600 (₹1,37,075) |
| Total |
$32,484 (₹27,82,966) |
Also check: Cost of Studying in the USA
Northern Illinois University provides various scholarships to international students who are pursuing undergraduate or graduate courses. Once the student is admitted to the university as a freshman or transfer student, he/she can be considered for either a merit or housing scholarship.
The student has to apply for the International Student Merit Scholarship from the Office of International Admissions of the university.
Below are some of the scholarships that Northern Illinois University provides to international students and their respective eligibility criteria and award:
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Award |
|---|---|---|
| International Freshman Merit Scholarship | 3.5 CGPA on a scale of 4.0 |
Varies from $5,000 (₹4,28,495) to $9,000 (₹7,71,291) per academic year |
| International Transfer Merit Scholarship | 3.5 CGPA on a scale of 4.0 |
$5,000 (₹4,28,495) per academic year |
| Housing Scholarship |
2.75 CGPA on a scale of 4.0 Neptune Hall resident in 1st academic year |
$3,600 (₹3,08,516) per year towards on-campus room costs and does not cover the cost of a meal plan. |
Also check: Scholarships for Indian Students in USA
An Northern Illinois University has good career outcomes, with
Other than this, official data shows:
Moreover, the top skills have been - Business process research, Customer service, Leadership and Management. The top job titles are - Account executive, Account Manager, CEO, and the top employers are - Abbott, AbbVie, Allstate, Amazon.
This shows Northern Illinois University’s credibility in preparing students for successful careers and opening to them doors to higher earning potential.
Besides academic life, Northern Illinois University has over 200 student organizations, including cultural and identity groups, performing arts and media, sports and recreation. The university also provides fun adventures, from local activities to team building. With more than 700 active student participants, the various sport clubs are a great way for students to get some exercise, make new friends and gain leadership experience. NIU also provides Counseling and Consulting services for students as well as Academic assistance.
Ques. What is the student-to-teacher ratio at Northern Illinois University?
Ans. Northern Illinois University has a faculty strength of 1,164, making the student-to-faculty ratio at an impressive 14:1
Ques. Does Northern Illinois University provide dual degree programs?
Ans. Yes. The accelerated programs of Northern Illinois University are dual degree programs providing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in less time than it takes to get them separately.
Ques. Do international students not need transcripts to apply for Graduate programs at Northern Illinois University?
Ans. No. Northern Illinois University mentions that students from India and Pakistan must submit individual marksheets attested by principle or the registrar instead of transcripts
Ques. Is there any better affordability option for course materials at Northern Illinois University?
Ans. Yes. Students can either rent physical books or buy digital copies, both of which cost 50%-80% less than new books
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Northern Illinois University has an acceptance rate of 70%. In the Fall 2024 academic year, for which the latest official data is available, total student enrollment at Northern Illinois University was 15,415 including 11,349 undergraduate students, 3,728 graduate students and 338 College of Law students. Out of this number, 972 were international students, and nearly 1,000 were from out-of-state.
Northern Illinois University is composed of 7 degree-granting colleges including business, education, engineering and engineering technology, health and human sciences, law, liberal arts, and visual and performing arts. These 7 colleges are then organized further into 42 schools and departments. Through these colleges and schools, Northern Illinois University provides a total of 174 academic degree programs.
The tuition fees at Northern Illinois University for international students range from $ 10,491 - $ 53,550 (₹ 8,98,651 - ₹ 45,87,055) for undergraduate courses and from $ 27,000 - $ 60,000 (₹ 23,12,801 - ₹ 51,39,558) for graduate courses. International students who meet a certain academic requirement, like 2.75 - 3.5 GPA are eligible for scholarships, with amounts ranging from $3,600 (₹3,08,373) to $9,000 (₹7,70,933). International students are also eligible for graduate assistantship which requires work up to 20 hours a week to receive a tuition waiver and stipend.
2.1 Admission Requirements for Graduate courses
2.2 Admission Requirements for MBA
2.3 Admission Requirements for Undergraduate courses
4.1 NIU 2024-2025 Graduate Cost of Attendance
4.2 NIU 2025-2026 Undergraduate Cost of Attendance
Northern Illinois University provides a total of 174 academic degree programs, including 89 bachelor’s programs, 58 master’s programs and 27 doctoral programs, through its 7 colleges and their respective schools and departments.
Some of the popular programs at Northern Illinois University for international students are tabulated below:
| Program Name | Tuition Fees(in USD) | Tuition Fees(in INR) | Managing Campus | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration M.B.A. | 39,000 | 33,41,301 |
Chicago DeKalb Naperville Schaumburg |
College of Business |
| Executive M.B.A. [E.M.B.A.] | 60,000 | 51,40,464 | Naperville | College of Business |
| M.S Management Information Systems | 31,591 | 27,06,539 | DeKalb | College of Business |
| M.S. Finance | 28,626 | 24,52,515 | DeKalb | College of Business |
| M.S Computer Science | 27,720 | 23,74,894 | DeKalb | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| M.S Biological Sciences | 31,020 | 26,576,19 | DeKalb | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
| M.S Nutrition and Dietetics | 31,020 | 26,57,619 | DeKalb | College of Health and Human Sciences |
Northern Illinois University requires international students to submit a number of documents along with the application. These documents vary among programs across undergraduate and graduate courses. Some programs may require additional documents, such as writing samples, test scores, and resumes.
The application fee for international students for all courses and programs is $60 (₹ 5,140).
Northern Illinois University offers more than 80 graduate degree programs across 7 colleges - business, health and human sciences, education, liberal arts and sciences, visual and performing arts, and engineering and engineering technology, and law. The eligibility criteria and the documents needed to be submitted are mostly the same for all programs, save a few. These have been mentioned below:
* The above 3 documents need to be submitted in both the native/original and English languages.
* Upon admission, the English proficiency test scores need to be sent to the NIU testing centre (except Duolingo, which can be sent directly through the website)
Certain graduate programs like M.S. Computer Science, M.S. Biological Sciences, M.S. Finance, and M.S. Nutrition and Dietetics required additional eligibility and documents, as mentioned below:
| Program Name | Additional eligibility criteria and documents |
|---|---|
| M. S. Computer Science | Resume or CVB.S. or B.A. degree in computer science or any closely related fieldTest scores of all sections of GRE taken in the last 5 years |
| M.S. Finance | A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (at least 15 semester hours in Finance or department approval) |
| M.S. Biological Sciences | GRE Biology (Subject exam), along with GRE (general exam) |
| M.S. Nutrition and Dietetics | 2.75 GPA in the following subjects:General Chemistry (with lab)BiochemistryGeneral or cellular biologyHuman anatomy and physiologyNutritionStatistics* International students can only apply for Fall semesters |
Northern Illinois University offers the MBA program in 4 formats - Executive MBA (EMBA), One-year MBA, Global MBA, and Online MBA. Each of these programs have different term duration as mentioned in the table below:
| MBA Format | About | Term Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Executive MBA (EMBA) | Weekend classes only | 16 months |
| One-year MBA | Hybrid classes with 75% online live sessions and 25% offline sessions | 12 months |
| Global MBA | STEM-designed program. Students with F-1 visa can extend their stay in the US after graduation under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) benefit. | 12 months |
| Online MBA | 100% online and no set meeting times | 16 months |
Along with the eligibility criteria and documents required for all Graduate courses, international students wanting to apply for an MBA program at Northern Illinois University need to meet some additional criteria, which are as follows:
Northern Illinois University provides a diverse array of majors, minors, and certificates, which students can customize as per their goals and interests. From traditional on-campus experiences to flexible online options, dual-degree (known as “accelerated programs”) paths to pre-professional programs, NIU offers flexibility and support students need to thrive.
The common eligibility criteria for all undergraduate programs include:
Northern Illinois University conducts 3 semesters per academic year - Spring, Summer and Fall. For the 2025 academic year, the Summer and Spring semesters applications are closed, while that of Fall will be opening on October 1, 2025.
Note: International students seeking student visas are not eligible to apply for summer term. However, visiting students and those who will be taking online courses are eligible to apply.
Below is a list of deadlines for all the 3 semesters:
| Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | May 1, 2026 (Tentative) |
| Spring | October 1, 2025 |
| Summer | May 15, 2026 (Tentative) |
Note: The deadlines remain the same for undergraduate and graduate courses and across their respective programs. However, these may be subject to change at the discretion of the University.
The cost of attendance (COA) is the average educationally-related costs a student may incur during their period of enrollment (semester or year). Cost of attendance includes tuition and fee costs, as well as allowances for the cost of books, course materials, supplies, and equipment, transportation, living expenses and miscellaneous personal expenses.
| Standard rate for 6 credit hours | Standard rate for 9 credit hours | Standard rate for 12 credit hours | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition |
$6,116 (₹5,23,969) |
$9,174(₹7,85,954) | $12,234(₹10,48,110) |
| Federal Student Loan Fees (if borrowed) |
$176 (₹15,078) |
$176 (₹15,078) |
$176 (₹15,078) |
| Living expenses |
$15,446 (₹13,23,288) |
$15,446 (₹13,23,288) |
$15,446 (₹13,23,288) |
| Books, supplies, Course materials and Equipment |
$600 (₹51,403) |
$900 (₹77,104) |
$1,200 (₹1,02,806) |
| Transportation |
$3,268 (₹2,79,975) |
$3,268 (₹2,79,975) |
$3,268 (₹2,79,975) |
| Miscellaneous/personal expenses |
$2,368 (₹2,02,871) |
$2,368 (₹2,02,871) |
$2,368 (₹2,02,871) |
| Total |
$27,974 (₹23,96,585) |
$31,332 (₹26,84,271) |
$34,692 (₹29,72,129) |
| Category of expenses | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition |
$10,742 (₹9,20,287) |
| Living expenses |
$14,680 (₹12,57,663) |
| Transportation |
$1,140 (₹97,665) |
| Books, supplies, course materials & equipment |
$1,200 (₹1,02,806) |
| Miscellaneous personal expenses |
$1,600 (₹1,37,075) |
| Total |
$32,484 (₹27,82,966) |
Also check: Cost of Studying in USA
The admission policy of Northern Illinois University is selective but, with the right preparation and dedication, students can easily secure a seat in the program of their choice.
Ques. Is it difficult to get into Northern Illinois University?
Ans. For every 100 applicants to Northern Illinois University, 70-71 students are selected. So the selection process is moderately strict, but with the right preparation, students can easily secure admission.
Ques. Is there an interview round as part of the selection process of Northern Illinois University?
Ans. No. Northern Illinois University does not mention any interview round during the selection process.
Ques. Does Northern Illinois University require SAT or ACT scores of international students?
Ans. No. International students seeking admission to Northern Illinois University are only evaluated based on high school (for undergraduate) and bachelor’s (for graduate) GPA and work experience, if any.
Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.
Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in DeKalb, Illinois, United States.
Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.
Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.
Placement information is currently limited.
More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.
Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.
Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary
Overall score
Based on 3 ratings
Visual summary of rating distribution and categories
