Northern Illinois University Admissions 2025: Process, Requirements & Deadlines

University Ranking

Here is the list of university rankings- 

• #201-250 in the QS US UNI list (2021)
• 331-440 in the 2022-203 U.S. News Rankings for National Universities 

Acceptance rate

Northern Illinois University has an acceptance rate of 70% as of the fall of 2022. However, it usually averages at 60%, making the university moderately selective while evaluating candidates. 

Admission eligibility criteria

A GPA of at least 3 or above and a minimum of 24 semester hours of credit are requirements for admission. Moreover, the university also requires students to meet the stipulated GPA and SAT/ACT criteria.

Documents required

• Passport
• Mark sheets of previous academic degree
• Student Visa
• Proof of Financial soundness
• English proficiency test scores
• Application confirmation copy
• Entrance Exam Scorecards—SAT/ ACT or equivalent for international students.
• SOPs and LORs as mandated by the University

It is advisable for the students to check the admissions portal of the university for further details as special requirements may be added.

Test required/ Average score

• SAT and ACT scores are not mandatory as the university has discontinued evaluating students on standardized testing.
• Prior to enrolling at NIU, students must demonstrate their ability to converse in English at the university level, which is comparable to an IELTS score of 6 or above.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): Score of 4 or higher.
• English as a test subject for IGCSE, GCSE, GCE O-level, or A-Level exams. A minimum of "C" is required to pass.
• Grades of all transcripts and/or test scores must be passing grades or a C+ in the United States.

Popular courses

• Mechanical engineering
• Operations administration and supervision
• Liberal arts and sciences
• Psychology
• Communication and rhetoric
• Financial reporting
• Computer engineering, 

How the university evaluates applicants

A GPA of 3 and above is necessary for applicants, along with good past performance in academics. If a student's GPA is under 3.0, the institution conducts a holistic review, which involves a unique assessment of the circumstances and the application. The comprehensive assessment process considers not just academic performance, but also one’s unique circumstances, activities, and accomplishments. 

Applicants will be required to submit one or more answers to the systematic review questions stipulated by the university admissions panel, grades from the first semester of their students' senior year, and go through an interview.

Tips for applying to the university

• Applications can be applied directly to the University through their admissions portal on the official website.
• Authorized agents of the university can also be used for applying and this is mainly for international students.
• Maintaining a GPA of 3 or above is necessary for selection. 
• A personal statement is recommended by the evaluating panel.
• Prepare yourself for an interview with the admissions panel as well. 

Application deadline

The application deadline for Northern Illinois University is August 1st for the Fall batch, May 15th for the Summer Batch, and December 1st for the Spring batch. International students are expected to enroll beforehand as the acceptance rate is higher in the initial trimesters. 

Acceptance Rate of Top University