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.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students owe a lot less than the total tuition after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

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

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

Northern Illinois University is a public, state institution, so 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. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can save students a lot of money on the overall cost of college. Don't forget to check your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state tuition. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria too, 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 can expect to pay around $19,580 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or Northern Illinois University-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students who demonstrate financial 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 Housing Expenses, 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.

House and Food Costs at Northern Illinois University

Room and board at Northern Illinois University costs $11,420 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining halls.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Northern Illinois University

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges offer ways so that those with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

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? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. 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 a city may be pricey, but there may be more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. The Northern Illinois University campus is located in a small town setting in Illinois, not far from Chicago.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending 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 the actual cost of attending Northern Illinois University.

Total Cost of Northern Illinois University

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$9,790
Out-of-State Tuition	$9,790
Room and Board	$11,420
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.

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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 finance their education. In 2022, 7,555 of the 11,834 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Northern Illinois University meets 65.7% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,374 a year. Around 74% 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 $32,098 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$26,342
Private Loans	$27,873

Most Common Loans for Northern Illinois University Students
Federal Loans	73%
Private loans	16%

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 2022, Northern Illinois University awarded 6,982 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $70.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $10.95 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Northern Illinois University Net Cost

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 $15,374 in 2022. 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	$-4,826
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-2,712
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$10,548

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 make more informed decisions about 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.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Northern Illinois University Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools 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.

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

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Learn More About Northern Illinois University

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