Northern Illinois University
School info
3.3
Overall Quality
Reputation
3.2
Food
3.1
Clubs
3.4
Facilities
3.3
Internet
3.4
Location
3
Opportunities
3.5
Safety
2.3
Social
3.3
Happiness
3.5
Basic Information
Location
- DeKalb, IL
Institution Overview
- Public/Private: Public research university
- Established: May 22, 1895;129 years ago (1895-05-22)
- Founder: Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld
Academic information
Degree Courses
- More than 60 undergraduate majors
- 70 minors
- 9 pre-professional programs
- 79 graduate programs
- and 24 areas of study leading to doctoral degrees
Key Area
- Mitigation of climate change and restoration of damaged ecosystems
- cleaner energy solutions
- healthcare ergonomics and office ergonomics
- bio-inspired functional nanomaterials and bioanalytical sensing systems
Student and Staff Numbers
- Students: 15,649 (fall 2022)
- Undergraduates: 11,429 (fall 2022)
- Postgraduates: 4,220 (fall 2022)
- Academic Staff: Over 1,100 instructional faculty
Notable Alumni
- Tammy Duckworth
- Joan Allen
- Dan Castellaneta
- Wood Harris
- Judith Curry
10 FAQs about this University from
Reddit
Students talk about this school
Good reviews
Overall 5
It's cool
Overall 5
The majority of teachers are wanting to see you succeed and are eager to help. Everyone is accepting and welcoming.
Overall 5
NOTHING IN LIFE IS PERF. GO OUT GO TO CLASS HAVE A SOCIAL LIFE BE SOCIAL. BE A BADDIE HAVE FUN GET A'S GO TO CAST IRON GO TO LIB GO TO EVERWHERE AND EBVERYTHING.!!
Overall 4.6
I based my review off the Marketing and Sales Programs. The Marketing program is great and the NIU Sales Program is ELITE. If you are going into business, NIU better be at the top of your list. These business professors will connect you with so many business professionals. 96% of Sales students receive a full-time job offer before graduating!
Overall 4.4
From my POV as a commuter student in their late 20s, NIU is a great school. I can't speak on their student residences, dorm cafeterias, parties, etc. but I've had amazing classes with amazing professors, and tuition is very affordable!! My biggest complaint is that it's a pain driving 40 minutes to Dekalb 4 times/week.
Overall 4.4
I have a lot of experience here in NIU in just a short time, it was fun too and I learned a lot.
Overall 4.3
Business program is great! Marketing and Management majors love it. The best part is the ELITE NIU Sales Program! If you are going into Sales, NIU better be at the top of your list. Professors are former salespeople who will connect you with current business professionals. 96% of Sales students at NIU have a full-time job offer before graduation!
Overall 4.1
Teachers are really knowledgeable and helpful. There’s a good gym, bowling alley, pool, ping pong and more. It’s very easy to meet people if you try. I can honestly say I’ve never had more close friends. Good public transit. Greek life is active, there’s lots of parties. It is in the middle of no where and the internet is spotty.
Overall 4
I would say it is a pretty good school so far at least. Socially if you want to be involved you just have to put yourself out there and seek opportunities to thrive. As to campus life and facilities, I think I have a different perspective just because I am a business major, and BARSEMA is so nice, and all the professors as well.
Overall 4
People here are down to earth and friendly. Clubs are numerous and engaging. The education is good. The upper level classes are small and personable. This school is what you make of it. Put your time and effort in and you'll have a great experience.
Bad reviews
Overall 1
DO NOT DO THE ONLINE PSYCH PROGRAM. They only have one advisor and she can barely keep herself organized and always gives contradicting information. Expect to be here an extra semester. The set up is also a mess in the program. They changed it without letting any students know until a week before fall registration. I regret getting my degree here.
Overall 1
This school is complete trash. Professors don't know what they're doing or what they're talking about. Administration would run smoother even if they replaced all the employees with headless chickens. Classes don't teach you anything. The campus doesn't offer anything. There are shootings and robberies every day. Don't go here. Save yourself.
Overall 1
The advising department told me to take "required" classes only to tell me afterwards that my transferred credits covered the requirements. When I asked why I was not informed of this until after all deadlines to remove myself from the courses and get my money back, I was told "some students fall through the cracks". This school is a scam.
Overall 1.3
Antisocial/boring environment that is nowhere near academically stimulating.
Overall 1.4
Not fun, the professors can be so hit or miss but a lot of them are not very helpful for such a small school. Absolute no social climate besides the bars which are gross anyways. No opportunities besides maybe slim business but for other majors good luck. safety of campus has been a threat to enrollment and made less desirable.
Overall 1.5
I currently attend NIU as a Graduate student. This is by far the worst institution in the state of Illinois. The surrounding area is riddled with gun violence. There is nothing to do in the surrounding area. Save the money, go elsewhere. I would not be surprised if in 10 years if they close altogether.
Overall 1.6
If you can, I would go just about anywhere else. The constant alerts to crime in the area make you feel unsafe walking back to the dorms in the daylight. Nothing to do around DeKalb without having to drive twenty minutes. Definitely not a college friendly town. It's mediocre at best and nothing really stands out to make it worthwhile.
Overall 1.6
If you can go anywhere else, do so.
Overall 1.6
don't go here
Overall 1.7
NIU is an affordable college but if you want an enjoyable and/or memorable college experience, I'd recommend a different school. The social environment is sad to say the least and some of the teachers definitely need to be replaced. It's an alright college for the price but if I could go back in time I wouldn't choose NIU again.