Northern Illinois University Review
Located about 65 miles west of Chicago in DeKalb, IL, Northern Illinois University (NIU) is the second-largest school in the state. NIU offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, as well as several special degrees and certificates, through seven colleges and 40 schools, divisions and departments.
Northern Illinois University Overview
NIU is a public university with outreach centers in Rockford, Naperville, Oregon and Hoffman Estates, IL. NIU offers 63 undergraduate and 79 graduate programs. As of fall 2009, the university had a student enrollment of over 24,000 and employed 1,200 faculty members.
NIU's College of Business ranked 65th on BusinessWeek's 2007 list of best undergraduate business programs. The university is also known for its study abroad program, which features opportunities for students from any major to study in 75 different countries.
Admissions and Enrollment Overview
Students applying to NIU must complete an online or paper application, as well as submitting high school (or applicable college) transcripts, standardized test scores and an application fee. They may also submit a personal statement and letters of recommendation. Those applying to limited admissions programs, such as acting, nursing or business, must meet department-specific criteria. Most NIU scholarships must be applied for through the financial aid office, although some departments automatically extend consideration for specific scholarships to all students in a program.
Campus Facilities and Learning Environment
Comprised of eight branches, the Northern Illinois University Library system has periodicals, electronic resources, audiovisual materials, computer research stations and over two million books. The university also has 13 computer labs, as well as department-specific labs, such as cartography and meteorology labs through the Department of Geography.
NIU has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17:1, with classes averaging about 28 students. The university offers research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students, with at least 20 undergraduate research proposals per year awarded funding. Research programs are sponsored through all academic majors.
Colleges at Northern Illinois University
- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
- College of Visual and Performing Arts
- College of Education
- College of Law
- College of Business
- College of Health and Human Services
- College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Contact Information
- Address: 1425 W. Lincoln Hwy., DeKalb, IL 60115
- Phone Number: (815) 753-1000