Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU)
Major Intakes
Plan your application according to these cycles.
Ranking
Excellence Recognized Worldwide
Most Affordable Public University in Illinois
Top Public Schools
Top Performers on Social Mobility
Regional Universities Midwest (U.S. News 2026)
Academic Programs & Deadlines
University Overview / History
Founded in 1867, Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago. It serves over 5,700 students across four campuses and is federally recognized as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American & Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. NEIU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Foundation & Key Facts
- Established in 1867; 67-acre main campus in North Park neighborhood
- 11:1 student-faculty ratio
- 70+ undergraduate and graduate programs
- First HSI in Illinois since 1997.
Location Insights (City / State)
Chicago is the 3rd largest city in the US, located on Lake Michigan. It's a global hub for finance, culture, and education with a thriving job market. The campus is in the North Park neighborhood, 10 miles northwest of downtown.
About Fresno, California
Chicago is known as the Windy City, home to world-class museums, diverse neighborhoods, and a vibrant arts scene. It offers excellent public transportation via CTA, numerous internship opportunities, and a lower cost of living compared to coastal cities.Estimated Cost of Study (approximate values per year)
| Expense | Undergraduate | Graduate | MBA |
| Tuition & Fees | $12,742 | $10,526 | $18,986 |
| Health Insurance | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Books | $1,200 | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Living | $10,810 | $10,810 | $10,810 |
| Total | $26,752 | $24,536 | $32,996 |
Career Opportunities
| Companies
& Industry Exposure
|
Job
& Employability |
| Boeing,
United Airlines, Abbott Laboratories, Walgreens Boots Alliance, McDonald's
Corporation, Caterpillar, Allstate, Exelon, and numerous tech startups in the
Chicago area. |
NEIU
Career Development Center offers career fairs, employer panels, networking
events, one-on-one coaching, resume workshops, and internship pipelines. |
| Median alumni salary 6 years post-graduation: $43,801. |
Admission Procedure
| Admissions
& Test Prep Admission Requirements |
Language
Requirements(Undergraduate) | Language
Requirements(Graduate) |
| UG:
High school diploma, minimum 2.5 GPA, test-optional (SAT/ACT). |
TOEFL iBT: 61+ | TOEFL iBT: 79+ |
| Graduate:
Bachelor's degree, minimum 2.75 GPA, GRE/GMAT optional. Transcripts evaluated
by NACES member agency. |
IELTS: 6.0+ | IELTS: 6.5+ |
| Transcripts evaluated
by NACES member agency. |
Duolingo: accepted | Duolingo: accepted |
| Pearson (PTE): 44+ | Pearson (PTE): 53+ |
Funding & International Student Support
| Scholarships
& Financial Aid |
Visa
Process | Additional
Requirements |
| NEIU
For You Scholarship covers tuition for qualified students; Presidential
Scholarship ($60,000 over 4 years); |
I-20 issued after admission & financial
verification. | Official
transcripts (evaluated by WES/ECE), personal statement, financial
documentation for I-20 issuance, copy of passport. |
| Provost Merit Scholarship ($2,000); |
F-1 Visa guidance through NEIU Office of International
Programs. | Graduate programs may
require letters of recommendation and resume/CV. |
| Dean
Merit Scholarship ($1,000); |
SEVIS fee: $350, Visa application fee: $185. | |
| Graduate Merit Tuition Scholarships available. |
Student Testimonials
Asma
USAI went to NEIU from 2018-2020, and my journey was unfortunately cut short due to Covid. The time I spent at NEIU was truly amazing, and felt like my second home due to how much time I was spending there. I loved every minute, and am so glad I am able to come back to complete a new journey towards my masters degree. I knew if I ever went back to school, it would be to NEIU, especially because of the inclusive community, and the amazing professors. The education program here is absolutely amazing, and I cannot wait to continue this journey here at NEIU!!
Jaidyn
USAI think it's a great school and it will help me learn more about healthcare and how to be a Veterinarians.
hailey
USAI'm interested in attending northeastern Illinois university because of my college visit i feel in love with the school after that visit after seeing the campus and being in Chicago always made me feel happy always made me feel like I've found my people something about being able to attend the school that's its my favorite city just makes me so happy I've known its where I'm meant to be on a train ride home with my friends. I overall think they have a beautiful campus and the community seems so nice like its somewhere I can see myself attending it feels like home i knew just from my campus visit that it was the school I want to attend.
Suzi
USAMy decision to attend Northeastern Illinois University was the best one for my academic and career goals. The school's commitment to diversity and inclusion impresses me the most. Transferring from Truman College, I have been looking for a place where I feel supported and inspired, and NEIU gives me that feeling. Its culture reflects the same values I have carried throughout my journey, such as resilience, fairness, and making a meaningful difference in my community. Being part of a university that actively celebrates those ideals makes me feel like I belong and that I’m headed in the right direction.
Lina
USAI visited Northeastern on a school field trip. I was able to tour the campus and see what the school had to offer. The day my school came was the open house career day in which I was able to explore all these different career options I would have at Northeastern. Overall, I liked the school and will most likely be applying.
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