Huskie fact The Carnegie Foundation recognizes NIU among “doctoral universities: high research activity.” That’s a fancy way of saying that our professors — and our students — are on a quest to discover new information, create inventions and innovations, push the boundaries of artistry and help us interpret our changing world.
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Your future. Our focus.
Choosing the right college is a big decision for you. Your undergraduate experience will shape your career and many other aspects of your life.
So why choose NIU? Located 65 miles west of Chicago, Northern Illinois University is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university. We believe a life-changing education should be within reach of everyone, and we strive to deliver a university experience tailored to your interests and driven by your dreams. Whether you’re a freshman who wants to explore your passions or a career-focused transfer student, we’ll help you develop your talents and blaze your own unique path to success.
“I would recommend NIU to others because it is the perfect place for you to fast-track your life and start seeing the ‘successful you’ that you’ve been waiting all of your life to see.”
Diamond Williams of Chicago, Illinois, business administration and human development and family sciences
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Huskie fact About 1,000 Huskies participate in our University Honors Program. Honors students enjoy some distinct advantages, such as priority registration for courses, honors-only scholarship opportunities and guaranteed admission into 25 graduate programs on campus. Our program fosters the sense of a tight-knit community, while providing benefits afforded by a public research university.
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The academic programs you want “At NIU, it’s not just about academics; it’s about making an environment conducive to learning.”
Princess Jeremie of Brooklyn, New York, biomedical engineering
We offer high-quality academic programs that lead to successful careers. You can choose from more than 100 areas of study, from STEM fields to the visual and performing arts — with so much in between. Engineering, education, environmental studies … nursing, biological sciences, physical therapy … chemistry, communication, computer science … business, psychology, theatre studies … the list goes on. Innovative areas of study like social entrepreneurship, social change leadership and nonprofit studies will provide you with the skills you need — not only to have a successful career but to make a positive difference in the world. And accelerated degree programs can help you more quickly earn advanced degrees in areas such as law, economics, public health and political science. Our dedicated professors are focused on your future. They will give you the tools to innovate, change lives and make a difference.
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MAJORS
Biomedical Engineering (B.S.) Biomechanics and Biomaterials Biomedical Instrumentation, Sensors and Signal Processing
Business Administration (B.S.) Accountancy (B.S.) Actuarial Science (B.S.) Anthropology (B.A. or B.S.) Environment and Evolution General Anthropology Language, Culture, and Mind Social Complexity and Inequality
Applied Management (B.S.) (Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment) Instructional Technology, Training and Evaluation
Applied Management (B.S.) (School of Public and Global Affairs) Public Service
Art (B.A. or B.S.) Art and Design Education (B.S.Ed.)
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Art History (B.A.) Art Studio and Design (B.F.A.) Design and Media Arts - Photography - Time Arts - Visual Communication Art Studio - Ceramics - Drawing - Fiber - Illustration - Metalwork, Jewelry Design, and Digital Fabrication
Chemistry (B.S.) Biochemistry Chemistry Chemistry for Pre-Professional Students Secondary Teaching
Communication Studies (B.A. or B.S.) Advocacy and Public Communication Media Studies
Early Childhood Education (B.S.) Economics (B.A. or B.S.) Financial Economics (B.S.only)
Electrical Engineering (B.S.) Elementary Education (B.S.Ed.) Bilingual/ESL
Geomatics (B.S. only)
Geology and Environmental Geosciences (B.S.)
Geology
Special Education
English (B.A. or B.S.) English Studies in Literature English Studies in Writing English Studies Leading to Secondary Licensure in English Language Arts
Environmental Studies (B.A. or B.S.)
Communicative Disorders (B.S.)
Biodiversity and Environmental Restoration Educator Licensure – Environmental Science
Computational Software
Energy Studies
Enterprise Software
Environmental Policy
Software Development
Nature in Society
Dance Performance (B.F.A.)
Geography
Reading Teacher
- Printmaking
Biological Sciences (B.S.)
Geography (B.A. or B.S.)
Earth and Space Science Education
- Painting
- Sculpture
Finance (B.S.)
Elementary Mathematics Education
Organizational/Corporate Communication
Computer Science (B.S.)
Fashion Merchandising (B.S.)
Water Sciences
Environmental Geosciences
Health Sciences (B.S.) Degree Completion General Pre-Physical Therapy
History (B.A. or B.S.) Hospitality and Tourism Management (B.S.) Human Development and Family Sciences, Comprehensive Major (B.S.) Child Development Family Social Services Family and Individual Development
Industrial and Systems Engineering (B.S.)
Mechatronics Engineering (B.S.)
Health Systems Engineering
Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.)
Manufacturing Systems
Meteorology (B.S.)
Engineering Management
Journalism (B.A. or B.S.) Kinesiology (B.S.) Management (B.S.) Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility
Political Science (B.A. or B.S.) International Politics Justice and Democracy: The American Experiment
Middle Level Teaching and Learning (B.S.Ed.)
Politics and Governance
Music (B.A.)
Public Law
Music (B.M.) Composition
Public Administration and Service
Psychology (B.A. or B.S.) Public Health (B.S.)
Technology (B.S.) Applied Manufacturing Technology Electrical Engineering Technology
Pre-dentistry
Industrial Management and Technology
Pre-medicine
Manufacturing Engineering Technology
Pre-pharmacy
Theatre Arts (B.F.A.)
Music Education
Environment and Health
Acting
Leadership and Management
Performance
General Public Health
Design and Technology
Health Administration
Theatre Studies (B.A.) World Languages and Cultures (B.A.)
Mathematical Sciences (B.S.) Applied Mathematics Computational Mathematics General Mathematics Education
Mechanical Engineering (B.S.) Advanced Computing and Simulation
Nonprofit and NGO Studies (B.A. or B.S.) Nursing (B.S.) Nutrition, Dietetics, and Wellness (B.S.) Operations and Information Management (B.S.) Philosophy (B.A. or B.S.) Physical Education (B.S.Ed.) Physics (B.S.)
Mechatronics and Robotics
Applied Physics
Sustainable Energy
Professional Physics for Graduate Study
Health Promotion
Rehabilitation and Disability Services (B.S.) Sociology (B.A. or B.S.) Special Education (B.S.Ed.)
Combined Degree Program in Physics and Engineering
Energy and Environmental Technology
Human Resource Management
Marketing (B.S.)
PRE-PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Pre-law Pre-optometry
Pre-veterinary Medicine
French and Francophone Studies German Studies Spanish and Hispanic Studies
Learning Behavior Specialist I with PEL Visual Impairments with PEL
Sport Management (B.S.) Statistics (B.S.)
Secondary School Teaching
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NIU is affordable At NIU, we’re committed to making a life-changing education affordable for you. NIU has kept base undergraduate tuition rates at the same level for five consecutive years. U.S. students from out-of-state pay the same as Illinois residents. “My piece of advice would be to take advantage of scholarships — there are many and they are very real.”
Judith Gil of Mundelein, Illinois, public health
As an eligible undergraduate, your base tuition rate will remain unchanged for four calendar years (from the date of your initial semester). With our flat-tuition rate for full-time undergraduates, you’re not charged for taking extra courses beyond 12 credit hours. If you’re ambitious, you can potentially graduate more quickly. More than 80% of our undergraduate students receive financial aid through federal, state, NIU and other programs. Based on your financial need, academic achievements, residency and more, you may be eligible for gift-aid you don’t have to repay, such as scholarships and grants. During a recent academic year, 4,600 NIU students received a total of $15.8 million in scholarships. NIU continually works to maximize your access to scholarships. For the fall of 2019 alone, we increased these opportunities with an additional $5 million pledge to our scholarship programs.
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A place for you to explore Some students come to NIU with specific career goals. But it’s also common for new students to be undecided about their major area of study. We can help you turn uncertainty into a distinct advantage. The first year or two of college can be a valuable time to explore. Thoroughly investigating your degree options will help you increase the probability that you’ll make a good choice. • Our team at the Academic Advising Center will help you identify your interests, values and skills. We’ll assist you when selecting courses to help you explore, and will even suggest majors or career paths that play to your strengths. • Our annual Majors and Minors Fair will help you learn more about our programs and how they connect to careers. • Our unique AcademicsPLUS Program allows you to customize your general education with a pathway to get a head start in your area of interest. • From creating your résumé and cover letter to connecting with employers, our Career Services staff will help prepare you for career success.
“During my campus visit, I was already picturing myself walking to my classes, and I felt so comfortable and confident. I learned that day that NIU has over 100 undergraduate programs, which was perfect because I was still undecided about my major. These factors all contributed to my decision
NIU Academics
60 majors. More than 100 minors and certificate programs. studies and Plus preprofessional accelerated integrated programs. More than
to choose NIU.” Sydney Johnson of Moline, Illinois, communication studies and nonprofit and NGO studies
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Hands-on learning We’ll encourage you to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to your own professor-guided research, scholarship or artistry project.
“I think what NIU offers over other schools is that you don’t have to wait to be able to do research. You have the opportunity from the start to get involved and form great relationships with professors and other students that way. You can choose your own path.” Drew Donnally of Plainfield, Illinois, chemistry
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Get started as a freshman or first-semester transfer student in our Research Rookies program, where you’ll work with a faculty mentor and receive a $500 stipend upon completion of your project. Other programs available to upperclassmen can even provide pay, project funding or travel expenses. Our students have conducted research in countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Madagascar and Cambodia. You also can gain valuable experiences and learn about social issues through service learning programs like Huskie alternative spring breaks. Our more extensive Huskie Service Scholars program, for eligible freshmen and first-year transfer students, could connect you to a supportive campus network that engages in community-based projects and service activities. Scholars who complete the requirements and 150 hours of direct service receive a $1,200 partial-tuition waiver. Internships can help you develop workplace skills and build your résumé. Our career counselors will help you identify your interests and make internship and job decisions. We collaborate with partners in our region and beyond to provide these hands-on learning opportunities. It helps that we have the world-class city of Chicago, as well as high-tech federal facilities like Fermilab and Argonne National Laboratory, right in our back yard.
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We celebrate diversity At NIU, you’ll meet people from different communities, cultures and countries. You’ll live, learn and socialize with students who share your interests and offer their unique perspectives. And you’ll be surrounded by resources and supportive staff to help you achieve success. We recognize the diversity of our Huskie community as one of our key strengths, celebrate all identities, and make equity and inclusion for all of our students a top priority. NIU has a wealth of resource centers that serve as a home away from home for our students. The centers provide spaces where you can express your cultural heritage, broaden your cultural knowledge and connect with others who share your interests.
“I’ve found that NIU has a community with a place for everyone if you seek
As a member of our Huskie community, you’ll learn about the Northern Pact and the elements of community that it represents. Huskies are:
it out. I have met some of my best friends on this campus. NIU definitely is a university full of opportunities, no matter what interests you have.”
Marilyn Chakkalamuri of Woodstock, Illinois, biological sciences
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You can make friends and have fun From the moment you arrive on campus, we’ll strive to help you stay active, make connections in our Huskie community, forge lifelong friendships and have fun. Welcome Days. Your first week at NIU will be filled with exciting events where you can meet new friends. Homecoming. We have one of the longest-celebrated homecoming traditions in the country. Division I athletics. Sixteen sports — and free admission for students. School of Theatre and Dance productions. Watch your talented classmates shine on stage. 16
Cool campus. Hop on a bike via our bike-sharing program and enjoy NIU’s beautiful campus. Camp out at the West Lagoon, work up a sweat at our 27-acre outdoor sports complex or join an outdoor pickup game of hockey (during the winter months, of course). Outdoor Adventures. Take part in one of more than 20 scheduled outings and events, such as kayaking along the Chicago River or rock climbing in Wisconsin. Recreation and Wellness. Get involved in a wide variety of programs to help you achieve your health and fitness goals. Play hoops, lift weights, run the track and get in shape at our Rec Center. Join one of our fitness classes. Or swim some laps in our Anderson Hall Pool. Intramurals and sports clubs. Get competitive with an assortment of intramural sports and activities, from basketball and flag football to floor hockey and volleyball. We also have sports clubs that allow you to compete in archery, lacrosse, bass fishing, figure skating, table tennis and more. Greek-lettered organizations. Join one of more than 40 fraternities and sororities, all founded on the principles of academic excellence, community service and bonding.
“Learning won’t stop once I get a degree. NIU has helped me see the importance of keeping up with the latest developments in my field and becoming the best
Home away from home:
Location, location, location:
Expanding esports:
The downtown areas in DeKalb and Sycamore feature charming shops, one-of-a-kind eateries and vibrant cultural venues.
At NIU, you won’t be too far from Chicago, and you’ll be even closer to a corridor of suburbs offering a wealth of dining, shopping and entertainment options.
With the addition of the new Esports Arena on campus, Huskies have expanded access to casual and competitive video gaming. NIU is also now offering for-credit courses on esports.
clinician I can be.”
Ryan Scheri of DeKalb, Illinois, communicative disorders
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Exciting new options for dining and entertainment are coming to the Holmes Student Center, located in the heart of the NIU campus. 18
A dynamic living-learning environment Nearly 3,500 students live in NIU residence halls each year. It’s a smart decision because living on campus provides you with important advantages. • Your classes, campus entertainment and Huskie sporting events are all within walking distance. • You’re surrounded by resources and supportive professional staff to help you achieve success. • You can make lifelong friends with people from different communities, cultures and countries. • You can live, learn and socialize with students who share your academic and career interests. • You’ll have opportunities to develop leadership skills and to pursue student employment. • On-campus residents enjoy the security afforded by NIU OneCards and 24-hour controlled-door access, and our staff members are available 24/7 in each community.
“It’s like a home away from home. If you want to find a second family, come to NIU — everyone here is always so helpful.”
Mary Carter of Peru, Illinois, biomedical engineering
Customize your housing and dining options to suit your needs and interests: • Special-interest communities for transfers, esports, sports and recreation and more. • Leadership-development opportunities with Community Council and Residence Hall Association. • More than 10 campus restaurants, from Einstein Bros. Bagels to three residence hall dining rooms. 19
Huskie fact First-generation college students represent about 50% of our first-year students. We’re here to help you open doors and connect with NIU’s community of first-gen students and with those who will encourage you throughout your journey.
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A caring, supportive community We place a very high priority on the words, “Huskie community.”
And we value the contributions of all our students — high achievers, nontraditional learners, first-generation college students, transfer students and learners from underserved communities. No matter what your background, we’ll provide a culture of caring to support you on your journey. You’ll have access to services like tutoring, peer mentoring, technology resources, library help, disability resources, writing coaching, campus child care, health and counseling services and career development.
University 101 (for freshmen) and University 201 (for transfers) will help you get to know the campus. In these elective, one-credit, 11-week courses, you’ll be introduced to campus and learn critical skills that will help you succeed. Whether you have questions about residence hall life, finding a job on campus or ways to get involved, you’ll get answers from our First-Year Success Series. It offers a variety of workshops to help you transition to NIU. Our campus police officers patrol the university and nearby neighborhoods 24/7 to keep you safe. We also offer you safety services such as accompanied walks, motorist assistance and safe-selling spaces, as well as training programs like self-defense, first aid and CPR.
“I have experienced a great sense of community, being a part of a large student body. As a former transfer student, this university made me feel welcome immediately after I became a Huskie.”
Sadie Filipski of St. Charles, Illinois, transfer student in elementary education
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An NIU education you can take anywhere Nothing speaks more to the value of an NIU education than our graduates. Our 240,000 Huskie alumni are found in just about all walks of life. Actors and performers. Teachers and professors. Novelists and screenwriters. Musicians and artists. CEOs and CFOs. Doctors and nurses. Judges and lawyers. Engineers and entrepreneurs. Members of Congress and leaders in our communities. You get the picture. An NIU education isn’t just about your major. It’s about learning to communicate effectively, think critically and solve problems. These skills will inspire you throughout your career and in your life — and they might take you to places you never expected.
Three NIU alumni are members of the U.S. Congress. Ten NIU alumni are members of the Illinois Legislature. One out of three Illinois city managers is an NIU graduate. One out of every five school superintendents in Illinois is an NIU graduate. One out of every twelve teachers in Illinois is an NIU graduate. NIU alumni serve as mayors of some of Illinois’ largest communities. Nearly 850 College of Business alumni hold C-suite titles such as CEO, CIO, COO, CMO and CFO.
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16:1
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
100+
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Areas of Academic Study
States that Huskies Call Home
17,169 75
240,000+ NIU Alumni
3,000
NIU Students
Countries Where Huskies Study Abroad
$51.4K
Average Early Career Salary (payscale.com)
Student Employment Jobs
43%
Transfer Students
300+
Student Organizations
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