Northern Illinois University

In 2022, Northern Illinois University's tuition was $9,790 a year for in-state students and $9,790 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

If this information makes going to college sound impossible, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't mean much if you plan to use financial aid to help pay for college. Many students pay far less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college feel more doable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 19,580 per year for tuition at Northern Illinois University.

Northern Illinois University meets 66.5% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Northern Illinois University is around $15,639 a year.

The average student debt for graduates in the class of 2023 was around $28,637 per student, not including those with no debt.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Northern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $9,790 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For non-Illinois residents, out-of-state tuition is $9,790 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as Illinois residents.

Attending a college where you are eligible for in-state tuition can save on the total cost of attending college. Be sure to confirm your state's eligibility criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Is Northern Illinois University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Northern Illinois University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at Northern Illinois University usually pay around $19,580 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or Northern Illinois University-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Northern Illinois University:

•Northern Illinois University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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Northern Illinois University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Northern Illinois University.

Room and Board Costs at Northern Illinois University

Housing and campus dining at Northern Illinois University costs $11,748 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at Northern Illinois University

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at Northern Illinois University

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these questions can drastically impact your transportation budget. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

A school's location can impact transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area is sometimes expensive, but cities may offer more trains, busses or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. Northern Illinois Universityis in a town in Illinois, not far from Chicago.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to take into account personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Financial Breakdown for Northern Illinois University

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Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of how much students can expect to shell out for Northern Illinois University.

How Much Does Northern Illinois University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Northern Illinois University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$9,790
Out-of-State Tuition	$9,790
Room and Board	$11,748
Other expenses	$1,840

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

Northern Illinois University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Academic program for both full and part-time students

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Financial Aid at Northern Illinois University

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The majority of Northern Illinois University undergrads use financial aid to help pay for school. In 2023, 7,311 of the 11,429 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Northern Illinois University meets 66.5% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,639 a year. Around 70% of Northern Illinois University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Northern Illinois University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $28,637 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$24,920
Private Loans	$21,954

Most Common Loans for Northern Illinois University Students
Federal Loans	69%
Private loans	13%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Northern Illinois University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Northern Illinois University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Northern Illinois University awarded 6,858 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $76.5 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $11.94 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Northern Illinois University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Northern Illinois University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Northern Illinois University was $15,639 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Northern Illinois University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-5,184
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-3,133
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$10,455

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending Northern Illinois University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Northern Illinois University's net cost calculator on their website.

Northern Illinois University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Northern Illinois University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Northern Illinois University Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Northern Illinois University has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - X - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Northern Illinois University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

Northern Illinois University's endowment was valued at $11.6 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. The school spends $9,925 for each full-time student enrolled.

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Learn More About Northern Illinois University

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