Northern Illinois University (NIU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Northern Illinois University
Big horizons meet small-city ease in DeKalb. Northern Illinois University is known for strong teaching across engineering and computing, business and public service, education and health fields, plus the arts and media. Students work in hands-on labs and studios, study in bright libraries, and lean on advising, tutoring, wellness, and cultural centers that feel approachable. Recreation is a staple too, with active intramurals, outdoor spaces, and a campus that invites you to walk, stay, and linger a bit.
The vibe is practical and welcoming, with Huskie spirit that shows up at performances, game days, and late-night events you actually want to attend. Career prep runs through the experience, from resume help and mock interviews to internships tied to regional employers and opportunities within reach of Chicago. DeKalb adds local coffee, arts, and community service that's easy to plug into. Notable alumni include NFL running back Michael Turner and quarterback Jordan Lynch.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Northern Illinois University (NIU) offers 90 degree programs across 24 major academic fields, graduating approximately 4,004 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (9 programs, 752 graduates), Education (16 programs, 575 graduates), Health (15 programs, 494 graduates), Computer & IT (2 programs, 377 graduates) and Engineering (4 programs, 303 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (9 programs, 752 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 207 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 130 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Management Science | 116 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1301 |
| Marketing Management | 112 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 49 |
|
Master's
|
52.1399 |
| Finance, General | 48 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Operations Management and Supervision | 43 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0205 |
| Marketing | 33 |
|
Master's
|
52.1499 |
| Hospitality Management | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0901 |
Education (16 programs, 575 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teaching | 112 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1001 |
| Elementary Education | 77 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1202 |
| Physical Education Teaching and Coaching | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1314 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 58 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Early Childhood Education | 40 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1210 |
| General Education | 35 |
|
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 26 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0301 |
| Instructional Technology | 26 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0501 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 25 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1101 |
| Adult and Continuing Education Administration | 24 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0403 |
| Middle School Education and Teaching | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
13.1203 |
| Art Education | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
13.1302 |
| Reading Teacher Education | 15 |
|
Master's
|
13.1315 |
| Higher Education Administration | 14 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0406 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 11 |
|
Master's
|
13.0499 |
| Educational Evaluation and Research | 4 |
|
Master's
|
13.0601 |
Health (15 programs, 494 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 124 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.3801 |
| Health and Medical Preparatory Programs | 113 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1199 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0201 |
| Nursing Science | 35 |
|
Master's
|
51.3808 |
| Community Health Counseling | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1504 |
| Dietetics | 31 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3101 |
| Public Health | 28 |
|
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| Physical Therapy | 24 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Clinical Laboratory Science and Medical Technology | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.1005 |
| Health Professions and Related Sciences | 12 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.9999 |
| Athletic Training | 7 |
|
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Audiology | 5 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.0202 |
| Health Services Administration | 4 |
|
Master's
|
51.2211 |
| Nursing Practice | 4 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 2 |
|
Master's
|
51.2310 |
Computer & IT (2 programs, 377 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 233 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0701 |
| Information Technology | 144 |
|
Master's
|
11.0103 |
Engineering (4 programs, 303 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 137 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.1901 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 84 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.1001 |
| Industrial Engineering | 66 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.3501 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0501 |
Psychology (3 programs, 253 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 246 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.0101 |
| Educational Psychology | 5 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2806 |
| School Psychology | 2 |
|
Post-Master's
|
42.2805 |
Arts (6 programs, 177 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Music Performance | 62 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Studio Arts, General | 61 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Art Studies | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0701 |
| Theatre Arts | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0501 |
| Art History and Conservation | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0703 |
| Music | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
Social Sciences (7 programs, 163 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 62 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1001 |
| Sociology | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.1101 |
| Economics | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Geography | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0701 |
| Criminology | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0401 |
| Anthropology | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0201 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 7 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0603 |
Kinesiology (2 programs, 121 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport and Fitness Management | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31.0504 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 58 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0501 |
Law (1 programs, 94 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 94 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
22.0101 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Northern Illinois University (NIU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Northern Illinois University (NIU)
How much does it cost to attend Northern Illinois University (NIU)?
The annual tuition at Northern Illinois University (NIU) is $12,506 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $29,442 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $12,800 and books and supplies $1,300.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Northern Illinois University offer?
Northern Illinois University (NIU) offers 90 academic programs across 24 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (9 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (16 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (15 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (2 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University (NIU) has an 70.5% acceptance rate and a 12.9% yield rate, making it selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 24,177
- Students admitted: 17,033
- Students enrolled: 2,202
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Northern Illinois University?
Northern Illinois University (NIU) provides financial aid to 21% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $13,565 and average loans of $6,218.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,241
- State/Local grants: $6,310
- Institutional grants: $6,286
- Federal loans: $5,162
The university supports 2,323 students with grants and 1,382 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Northern Illinois University graduates?
Northern Illinois University (NIU) graduates earn a median salary of $46,113 after 6 years and $57,808 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $37,890 (25th percentile) to $83,290 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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