Northern Illinois University
Image: Alexbaumgarner, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a mid-sized public research university in DeKalb, Illinois, 65 miles west of Chicago. They have a wide range of popular majors and programs.
Affordability: NIU has a relatively low total sticker price for out-of-state students ($27,218). They offer need- and merit-based aid. Average net price in 2020-21 was $13,265 (NCES).
Rankings:
#331-440 national research universities, U.S. News
#412 best colleges and universities, CollegeSimply
#169 best colleges for Accounting, Niche
Popular Majors (NCES):
Psychology
Nursing
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
Computer Science
Mechanical Engineering
Accounting
Marketing
Speech Communication and Rhetoric
Elementary Education
Management Science
Biology
Admissions, enrollment, graduation rates (NCES):
11,834 undergraduates; 4,400 graduate students
70% acceptance rate
14% enrolled
51% graduation rate