My colleges

Northern Illinois University vs Western Illinois University

Western Illinois University students with aid paid less on average (in-state): $10,018 vs $14,505 a year.

Highlighted = the better number: lower price or debt, higher rate or pay.

Getting in
MeasureNorthern Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois University
Admit rate 70% 71%
SAT or ACT for fall 2027 Not checked yet Not checked yet
Next deadline Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cost
MeasureNorthern Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois University
Sticker price per year (in-state at public colleges) $29,642 $28,915
Average paid after grants (in-state at public colleges) $14,505 $10,018
What in-state families with aid paid, by income
MeasureNorthern Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois University
Under $30,000 $12,319 $3,427
$30,000–$48,000 $11,502 $5,063
$48,000–$75,000 $13,387 $7,229
$75,000–$110,000 $20,105 $524
Over $110,000 $24,295 $19,878
After you start
MeasureNorthern Illinois UniversityWestern Illinois University
Undergrads 11,301 4,410
Graduate within 6 years 50% 45%
Come back for year two 70% 61%
Median earnings 10 years after starting $61,351 $57,175
Median debt at graduation $19,555 $20,168

Highlighted only when the gap is at least 5%. "Average paid" is what students who got federal aid paid per year after grants, not a price quote; at public colleges the income rows are in-state students. How we get our numbers

See Northern Illinois University See Western Illinois University