Northeastern Illinois University SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
With a 74% acceptance rate, your score strategy at Northeastern Illinois should aim beyond the middle SAT range of 790–1000. A 1200 SAT or 25 ACT, paired with a 3.5 GPA, can put you in range for the Presidential Scholarship, with awards from $17,900 to $60,000.
Data on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
Northeastern Illinois University facts and stats
Northeastern Illinois University enrolls about 4,226 undergraduates in an urban campus setting. Northeastern Illinois has a 52% freshman retention rate and a 22% six-year graduation rate. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11:1.
Chicago, IL
How do your scores compare at Northeastern Illinois?
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Key Northeastern Illinois University application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
August 1
Early Action
Not offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
—
Financial Aid Priority
February 15
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
If you plan to submit scores to test-optional Northeastern Illinois, take your first SAT or ACT by the spring of junior year, then use the summer before senior year and fall retakes to improve your score. For the Presidential Scholarship, which lists a 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT with a 3.50+ GPA, aim to finish testing by the December retake so scores arrive before the February 15 financial aid priority deadline.
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What you'll actually pay
Northeastern Illinois is a public university with in-state tuition of $10,343 and out-of-state tuition of $20,686. About 81% of students receive aid, and the FAFSA priority deadline is February 15.
For students paying out-of-state tuition, Northeastern Illinois costs $20,686 in tuition, compared with $10,343 for in-state tuition. Room and board adds about $10,390. About 81% of students receive aid, with an average aid package of $2,821, and merit awards average $1,675. Graduates leave with an average debt of $19,944.
Student life at Northeastern Illinois University
9% of undergrads live on campus
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus.
Similar schools
American Islamic College
Chicago, ILAcceptance rate: 100%
Augustana College
Rock Island, ILAcceptance rate: 62.8%
SAT: 1040–1260
ACT: 21–29
Aurora University
Aurora, ILAcceptance rate: 80.8%
SAT: 900–1160
ACT: 21–29
Southwestern Illinois College
Belleville, ILAcceptance rate: 100%
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