National Louis University (NLU) vs Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)

National Louis University and Northeastern Illinois University, both located in the vibrant city of Chicago, offer distinct educational experiences for students seeking higher education. National Louis University, known for its flexible learning options and diverse student body, boasts an acceptance rate of 100%, welcoming students from all backgrounds. Northeastern Illinois University, on the other hand, has a more selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 78%, attracting students with strong academic records. While both universities offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, National Louis University excels in fields such as education, nursing, and business, while Northeastern Illinois University is renowned for its programs in the arts, sciences, and social sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and additional program offerings, to determine which university best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	National Louis University	Northeastern Illinois University
Overview
Location	Chicago, Illinois	Chicago, Illinois
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	61.0%	61.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	97.0%	62.1%
Application fees		Undergraduate: $30 Graduate: $30
SAT range	N/A	N/A
ACT range	N/A	N/A
Students submitting SAT score
Students submitting ACT score
Total number of applicants	1,518	3,399
Total number of admissions given out	1,473	2,111
Admitted students who chose to enroll	558	330
Yield rate	37.9%	15.6%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$32,325	In state: $24,985 Out of state: $35,076
Average net price	$14,665	$14,133
Tuition	$10,755	In state: $10,091 Out of state: $20,182
Room & board
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Guaranteed tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	93.0% Average amount $8,931	78.0% Average amount $10,529
Students receiving federal student loan	14.0% Average amount $3,883	15.0% Average amount $6,215
Students taking out private loans	1.0% Average amount $19,696	1.0% Average amount $5,866

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	3,607 Men 25.8% Women 74.2%	4,608 Men 41.6% Women 58.4%
Graduate students	3,708 Men 17.5% Women 82.5%	1,832 Men 32.0% Women 68.0%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	2.9%	2.4%
International students	1.3%	2.1%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	N/A	426
First year students are required to live on campus?	N/A	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Illinois Indiana Arizona California	Illinois Missouri Wisconsin California Georgia

Academics
Popular study areas	Education Business Psychology Family and Consumer Sciences Multidisciplinary Studies	Education Business Public Administration and Social Service Computer and Information Science Liberal Arts
Students to faculty ratio	16:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	33.8%	21.4%
Dropout rate	51.2%	75.4%
Transferred out	12.5%	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $116,556 Year 2: $86,424 Year 3: $90,466 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,515 Year 2: $61,516 Year 3: $68,357 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $56,800 Year 2: $56,234 Year 3: $62,702 Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,308 Year 2: $59,921 Year 3: $62,677 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $56,451 Year 2: $57,705 Year 3: $59,800 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $70,872 Year 2: $63,600 Year 3: $59,310 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $53,332 Year 2: $53,017 Year 3: $57,588 Curriculum and Instruction (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,059 Year 2: $54,238 Year 3: $55,084 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $50,097 Year 2: $50,887 Year 3: $53,488 Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $49,720 Year 2: $45,696 Year 3: $53,026	Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $72,937 Year 2: $77,401 Year 3: $85,599 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $52,326 Year 2: $56,544 Year 3: $67,702 Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,232 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $62,229 Special Education and Teaching (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $55,083 Year 2: $56,415 Year 3: $57,180 Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,637 Year 2: $45,383 Year 3: $55,124 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $43,581 Year 2: $46,407 Year 3: $51,995 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $44,263 Year 2: $43,240 Year 3: $49,244 Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $39,577 Year 2: $45,500 Year 3: $47,512 Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $42,527 Year 2: $41,565 Year 3: $45,767 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $38,519 Year 2: $47,260 Year 3: $45,740

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between National Louis University (NLU) and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)?

National Louis University (NLU) is a private, non-profit university known for its focus on education, human services, and business programs, often catering to working adults and non-traditional students. Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) is a public university with a broader range of undergraduate and graduate programs, serving a diverse student body with a strong emphasis on affordability and accessibility. NLU tends to have smaller class sizes and a more personalized learning environment, while NEIU offers a more traditional university experience with a larger campus and a wider array of student activities.
Which university, NLU or NEIU, is more affordable?

Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU), as a public institution, generally offers lower tuition rates compared to National Louis University (NLU), which is a private university. However, the actual cost can vary depending on your program, financial aid eligibility, and residency status. It's best to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) at both institutions based on your individual circumstances.
What types of programs are National Louis University (NLU) and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) known for?

National Louis University (NLU) is particularly well-regarded for its programs in education, especially teacher preparation, as well as human services, counseling, and business administration. Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) offers a broader range of programs, including education, arts and sciences, business, and social work. NEIU is also known for its diverse student body and commitment to social justice.
Which university, NLU or NEIU, has a larger campus and student body?

Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) generally has a larger campus and a larger student body compared to National Louis University (NLU). NEIU offers a more traditional campus environment with more extensive facilities and a wider range of student organizations and activities.
How do the class sizes compare between National Louis University (NLU) and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)?

National Louis University (NLU) typically has smaller class sizes compared to Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). NLU's smaller class sizes allow for more personalized attention from instructors and a more intimate learning environment. NEIU, while having larger classes in some instances, still maintains a commitment to student success through various support services.
What kind of student support services are available at NLU and NEIU?

Both National Louis University (NLU) and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) offer a range of student support services, including academic advising, career services, tutoring, disability services, and counseling. NLU often emphasizes personalized support for its students, particularly working adults. NEIU provides comprehensive support services tailored to its diverse student population, including resources for first-generation students and students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Which university is better for working adults or non-traditional students, NLU or NEIU?

National Louis University (NLU) is often considered a strong choice for working adults and non-traditional students due to its flexible scheduling options, accelerated programs, and focus on career-oriented education. While Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) also welcomes non-traditional students and offers evening and weekend classes, NLU's programs are often specifically designed to accommodate the needs of working professionals.
What are the admission requirements like for NLU and NEIU?

Admission requirements vary depending on the program and level of study at both National Louis University (NLU) and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU). Generally, NEIU, as a public university, may have slightly less stringent admission requirements compared to NLU. However, both institutions consider factors such as GPA, standardized test scores (if required), letters of recommendation, and personal essays. It's best to check the specific admission requirements for your desired program on each university's website.
Do NLU and NEIU offer online programs?

Yes, both National Louis University (NLU) and Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) offer a variety of online programs. NLU has a strong online presence, particularly in its education and business programs. NEIU also offers a growing number of online courses and degree programs to provide flexible learning options for students.
What is the campus culture like at NLU and NEIU?

National Louis University (NLU) has a more focused and career-oriented campus culture, often attracting students who are already working professionals or seeking to advance their careers. Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) has a more diverse and traditional campus culture, with a wider range of student organizations, activities, and events. NEIU is known for its commitment to social justice and its welcoming environment for students from diverse backgrounds.

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