Fast Facts
At NIU, numbers tell only part of our story, but they're an important part. From our intimate 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio to our diverse community where 50% of undergraduates are first-generation college students, these figures reflect our commitment to inclusive excellence.
Our vibrant campus community brings together more than 15,000 students from across the globe, creating an environment where future psychologists, engineers, artists and entrepreneurs learn alongside each other. With an average class size of 23 students and faculty who are leaders in their fields, NIU offers the personal attention of a small college with the opportunities of a major research university.
Fall 2024
Total Student Enrollment: 15,415 (Fall 2024)
- 11,349 undergraduate students
- 3,728 graduate students
- 338 College of Law students
- 4,042 students living on campus
- 972 international students
- Nearly 1,000 students from out of state
Entering class profile:
- 1,991 freshmen
- 3.39 average high school GPA
- 19% achieved 4.0 high school GPAs
- 36% earned GPAs of 3.7 or higher
- 50% first-generation college students
- 66% students of color
- $6.3 million awarded in merit scholarships
- 62% of freshman scholarship recipients are students of color
Fall 2024
- 1,164 instructional faculty
- 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- 23 students average undergraduate class size
- Seven degree-granting colleges
- 174 academic degree programs
- 89 bachelor's programs
- 58 master's programs
- 27 doctoral programs
- Study abroad opportunities in 80 countries
- 1,193 students in University Honors Program
- 4,056 degrees awarded (2023-24 academic year)
- 2,477 bachelor's degrees
- 1,318 master's degrees
- 94 law degrees
- 167 doctoral degrees
Top Undergraduate Programs:
- Psychology (B.A. and B.S.)
- Health Sciences (B.S.)
- Computer Science (B.S.)
- Business Administration (B.S.)
- Mechanical Engineering (B.S.)
- Nursing for RNs (B.S.)
- Accounting (B.S.)
- Biology (B.S.)