Illinois's premier public research university transforming lives through rigorous academics and hands-on learning since 1895.
NIU comprises seven degree-granting colleges: Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Health and Human Sciences, Law, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate majors, 70 minors, nine pre-professional programs, and 79 graduate programs across 24 doctoral degree areas. Faculty maintain a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring personalized mentorship. The fall 2025 freshman class achieved a record 3.42 average GPA, with 18% earning perfect 4.0s in high school.
NIU is classified as an R2 Doctoral University with high research activity and is a member of the Universities Research Association managing federal physics laboratories including Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The university's Center for Southeast Asian Studies, established in 1963, is one of seven federally recognized National Resource Centers and has received Title VI FLAS Fellowships since 1974. Students engage in hands-on research projects, internships, and creative work alongside faculty leaders in their fields.
The main 756-acre DeKalb campus features 64 major buildings, including the iconic castle-like Altgeld Hall. Facilities include Huskie Stadium (23,000+ capacity), the Convocation Center (10,000-seat arena), athletic complexes, and six residence hall complexes. Over 4,000 students live on campus. The university hosts more than 400 student organizations, 200+ annual art exhibitions and performances, and Division I athletics competing in the Mid-American Conference. The student body is 48% White, 21% Hispanic, 19% Black, 6% Asian, with 52% low-income students.
NIU accepts freshman, transfer, returning, post-baccalaureate, and visiting students. The university emphasizes accessibility as one of Illinois's most affordable public universities with transparent cost information and comprehensive financial aid. Graduate admissions include master's, doctoral, and certificate programs. The College of Law offers traditional J.D., accelerated B.S./B.A. to J.D., and dual degree options. Half of undergraduates are first-generation college students, reflecting NIU's commitment to expanding educational opportunity.
U.S. News & World Report ranks NIU 269 (tie) among National Universities and 57th for Public Affairs programs. Forbes ranks the university 339 nationally. Washington Monthly places NIU at 248. In 2021, Payscale and CollegeNet ranked NIU 97th for social mobility. The university is classified as a Carnegie R2 research institution and recognized as a Colleges of Distinction institution.