GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
$13,248
per year
In-State Tuition
71%
Acceptance Rate
49%
Graduation Rate
70%
Retention Rate
Northern Illinois University is a public four-year institution in DeKalb, IL. Programs offered include Psychology, Nursing, Computer Science, Accounting and Marketing.
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21 of 23 CLEP exams accepted
Conditions Northern Illinois University places on CLEP credit
Biology is awarded at two levels: a score of 50 earns BIOS 103 and 105, and a score of 66 earns BIOS 208, 210, 209 and 211; a student may request in writing within 30 days to take the lower award of BIOS 103 and 105 instead. NIU charges a non-refundable $25 administrative fee to sit an exam on campus, waived for eligible military members on first attempts.
Healthcare & Medicine
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Major: Clinical Laboratory Science
Technology & Computer Science
Business & Finance
Science & Research
Sports & Fitness
Hospitality & Culinary
Broad degrees built to transfer into a bachelor’s program rather than lead to one specific career. They’re a common starting point at community colleges — you pick your major after you transfer.
A broad program across the humanities, social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, most often taken as a transfer degree into a bachelor's program. NCES CIP 24.0101 "Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies".
13
Sports
7
Men’s teams
10
Women’s teams
Team Sports(6)
Football
Basketball
Baseball
Softball
Soccer
Volleyball
Individual Sports(6)
Tennis
Golf
Track and Field (Indoor)
Track and Field (Outdoor)
Cross Country
Gymnastics
Combat Sports(1)
Wrestling
Application Requirements
Historical data for first-time undergraduate applicants seeking a degree or certificate; requirements may have changed. This does not specify a number of recommendation letters.
Confirm current admission requirements with the school, including any program or transfer requirements.
In-State Students
NIU awards renewable freshman merit scholarships of $1,000 to $8,000 per year based on high school GPA, starting at a 3.0.
For students entering Fall 2026 and beyond
Freshman Merit Scholarship (GPA 4.0)
Automatic$8,000 per year
Renewable: 2.75 cumulative GPA and continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring
Application and all required documents by the priority deadline: Feb 1 for summer or fall admission, Oct 1 for spring. Awarded on a rolling basis afterward if funds remain.
GPA band 4.0: you receive only the award for your band. NIU uses the GPA listed on your high school transcript, whether weighted or unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
Freshman Merit Scholarship (GPA 3.90-3.99)
Automatic$7,000 per year
Renewable: 2.75 cumulative GPA and continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring
Application and all required documents by the priority deadline: Feb 1 for summer or fall admission, Oct 1 for spring. Awarded on a rolling basis afterward if funds remain.
GPA band 3.90-3.99: you receive only the award for your band. NIU uses the GPA listed on your high school transcript, whether weighted or unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
Freshman Merit Scholarship (GPA 3.70-3.89)
Automatic$6,000 per year
Renewable: 2.75 cumulative GPA and continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring
Application and all required documents by the priority deadline: Feb 1 for summer or fall admission, Oct 1 for spring. Awarded on a rolling basis afterward if funds remain.
GPA band 3.70-3.89: you receive only the award for your band. NIU uses the GPA listed on your high school transcript, whether weighted or unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
Freshman Merit Scholarship (GPA 3.50-3.69)
Automatic$4,000 per year
Renewable: 2.75 cumulative GPA and continuous full-time enrollment each fall and spring
Application and all required documents by the priority deadline: Feb 1 for summer or fall admission, Oct 1 for spring. Awarded on a rolling basis afterward if funds remain.
GPA band 3.50-3.69: you receive only the award for your band. NIU uses the GPA listed on your high school transcript, whether weighted or unweighted, on a 4.0 scale.
Students: add profile GPA and scores to check.
Requirements change yearly; colleges may recalculate GPAs. Confirm requirements and deadlines with the college.
College scholarship pageChecked Oct 30, 2026
From the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, most recent reporting cohort.
Net Price(family income < $30K)
$10,126
Per year, after grants & scholarships
Median Earnings
$57,808
10 years after entry, working full-time
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,162
Among completers who borrowed
Verified on Aug 2026
Conditions Northern Illinois University places on CLEP credit
Biology is awarded at two levels: a score of 50 earns BIOS 103 and 105, and a score of 66 earns BIOS 208, 210, 209 and 211; a student may request in writing within 30 days to take the lower award of BIOS 103 and 105 instead. NIU charges a non-refundable $25 administrative fee to sit an exam on campus, waived for eligible military members on first attempts.
⚠️ Partial acceptance — not all exams listed below may be accepted. Verify each with the registrar before planning your CLEP strategy.
| Exam | Credits | Min Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
CLEP American Government Political Science | — | 61 | Accepted |
CLEP American Literature Literature & Humanities | — | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP Biology Biology & Science | — | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP Calculus Mathematics | — | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP Chemistry Science | — | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP College Composition English & Writing | — | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP English Literature Literature & Humanities | — | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP French Language — Level 1 World Languages | — | 50 | Accepted |
CLEP French Language — Level 2 World Languages | — | 63 | Accepted |
CLEP German Language — Level 1 World Languages | — | 50 | Accepted |
Type
Public University
Location
DeKalb, Illinois
DeKalb County
Control
Public
Programs Listed
65 career paths
GI Bill Certified
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