Highlights
- 5th largest public university in Illinois
- Over 17,000 total students
- 240,000-plus alumni worldwide
- 150,000-plus alumni in Illinois
Overview
Northern Illinois University, chartered in 1895, first opened its doors as the Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1899. Today, NIU has a growing alumni network of over 240,000 and has 17,000 plus students currently enrolled. Students can choose from 61 undergraduate majors and 62 graduate programs across seven degree-granting colleges on-campus. Over the last decade, NIU Online has rapidly expanded and has grown to encompass a variety of online options including seven undergraduate degree-completion programs, 11 master’s programs, two doctoral, and nine certificate programs. An online education with Northern Illinois University allows students to receive a quality degree that is delivered wherever they are from a reputable brick-and-mortar institution.
Online Program Rankings
- U.S. News & World Report: Best Online Graduate Education Programs - NIU’s College of Education ranks No. 9 nationally.
- U.S. News & World Report: Best Public Affairs Schools, Local Government Management – NIU’s MPA Local Government Management Specialization ranks No. 4.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALAs a post-traditional student, I returned to school after many years working in industry. I graduated from the program at age 49, proving that it is never too late to go back to school. NIU provided the opportunity to advance my education and career without having to sacrifice my job. Although it was a lot of work, receiving my diploma was the best thing I’ve ever done. The tassel is definitely worth the hassle!— John K., BS in Technology-Applied Manufacturing Technology, NIU
Northern Illinois University Online Degree Programs
- Online Bachelor’s Degree-Completion Programs
- Online Master’s Degrees
- Online Doctorate Degrees
- Online Undergraduate Certificates
- Online Graduate Certificates
NIU Online Accreditation, Approvals, Tuition & Admissions Information
Accreditation
Northern Illinois University and its online programs are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Programmatic Accreditation
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB): NIU College of Business.
Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): Master of Public Health.
National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPA): Master of Public Administration-Local Government.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): all NIU undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
National Association of Schools of Art and Design: M.S. in Art Education.
Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET): M.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering-Engineering Management.
State Authorization for Offering Online Programs
Illinois is a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) and NIU is an approved SARA institution.
Tuition
- Online undergraduate domestic tuition: $349 - $399
- Online undergraduate international tuition: $698 - $798
- Online graduate domestic tuition: $445 - $896
- Online graduate international tuition: $496 - $896
Admissions and Transfer Information
Eligibility and required application materials vary by program and degree level.
Students seeking admission to a bachelor’s degree-completion program:
- $40 application fee.
- Transfer student application to undergraduate admissions.
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended.
Students seeking admission to a non-degree granting certificate program:
- $10 application fee.
- Student-at-large (SAL) application.
- Unofficial baccalaureate transcripts.
Students seeking admission to a graduate-level degree-granting program:
- $60 application fee.
- Application to the Graduate School.
- Unofficial transcripts from each college or university attended.
- Two to three letters of recommendation.
- Statement of purpose.
- Test scores (if applicable).
- Optional résumé or curriculum vitae.
STUDENT TESTIMONIALI found that the online structure of the program was not too difficult to manage. I was able to complete the assignment when I had spare time, and I was able to work ahead when I knew there were going to be issues with my personal schedule. I have three kids and a full-time job, so it meant a lot of late nights and often losing my weekends, but it was worth the effort.— Justin D., MS in Engineering Management, NIU
School Profile
- Accreditation: Regional (Higher Learning Commission)
- Region: Midwest
- Public/Private: Public nonprofit
- Tuition per credit:
- Online undergraduate domestic tuition: $349 - $399
- Online undergraduate international tuition: $698 - $798
- Online graduate domestic tuition: $445 - $896
- Online graduate international tuition: $496 - $896
- Address: 1425 W. Lincoln Highway, DeKalb, IL 60115-2828
- Regional Locations:
- Chicago, Illinois
- Hoffman Estates, Illinois
- Naperville, Illinois
- Rockford, Illinois
Other Statistics
- Student population: 17,169
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
- Alumni: More than 240,000
STUDENT TESTIMONIALThe online NIU MPH program does not feel ‘online’ at all. The teachers make the classes interactive and even have collaborative class sessions. Schoolwork is able to be completed around my 40 hour-a-week work schedule. I am so thankful I chose the NIU program!— Morgan M., Master of Public Health, NIU
Alumni
Alumni Association
The NIU Alumni Association is a supporting organization of Northern Illinois University. It is focused on building lifelong relationships with alumni, prospective students, corporate partners, and friends. The NIU Alumni Association offers programs, hosts special events, and partners with various departments and organizations. The Alumni Association serves about 150,000 NIU alumni in Illinois and 240,000 plus worldwide.
Alumni Network
Affinity Groups bring together NIU alumni with similar backgrounds and interests:
Black Alumni Council, Computer Science Alumni Council, Greek Alumni Council, Latino Alumni Council, NIU Huskie Marching Band Alumni Council, Engineering and Technology Alumni Society.
Geographic Networks consist of alumni interested in connecting to support NIU and their local community:
NIU Rockford Alumni Club.
The Travel Program allows NIU alumni and friends to reconnect with the university through exciting travel adventures around the world.
Alumni Support
Career Services offers programs and resources to all NIU alumni to assist in their transition to the professional world. Alumni who have graduated within the past three years have access to career counseling, Huskies Get Hired, résumé reviews, and participation in career fairs and events. Alumni who graduated over three years ago also have the ability to use Huskies Get Hired, attend NIU career fairs, and receive feedback on their résumés.
Huskies Get Hired: Current students and alumni have HGH accounts that connect them to employers that have open positions.
Online Bachelor’s Degree-Completion Programs
- Bachelor of General Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Health Science
- Bachelor of Science in Applied Management: Instructional Technology, Training, and Evaluation
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Politics
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing for RNs
- Bachelor of Science in Technology: Applied Manufacturing Technology
Online Master’s Programs
- Master of Public Administration: Local Government Management
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Science in Art Education
- Master of Science in Data Analytics
- Master of Science in Digital Marketing
- Master of Science in Educational Research and Evaluation
- Master of Science in Education: Instructional Technology
- Master of Science in Education: School Business Management
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Industrial Management
- Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering: Engineering Management
Online Doctorate Degrees
- Doctor of Education: Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis in Community College Leadership
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Technology
Online Undergraduate Certificates
- Certificate of Undergraduate Study: Geographic Information Systems
Online Graduate Certificates
- Certificate of Graduate Study: Data Science for Business
- Certificate of Graduate Study: Eating Disorders and Obesity
- Certificate of Graduate Study: Geographic Information Analysis
- Certificate of Graduate Study: Postsecondary Developmental Literacy and Language Instruction
- Certificate of Graduate Study: Public Health
- Certificate of Graduate Study: Public Management
- Certificate of Graduate Study: Trauma-Informed Counseling
- Post-Master’s Certificate of Graduate Study: Nursing Education
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