
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1895 as Northern Illinois State Normal School by Illinois Governor John P. Altgeld. The university has a student body of approximately 15,000 to 16,000 students, with over 400 student organisations. NIU is classified as a Doctoral University – High research activity and is a member of the Universities Research Association.
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Northern Illinois University has around 16,000 students
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university located in DeKalb, Illinois. It was founded in 1895 as the Northern Illinois State Normal School, with the initial aim of providing the state with college-educated teachers. Today, NIU has a student population of around 16,000, comprising both undergraduate and graduate students.
The university's campus in DeKalb is the main hub, but NIU also has satellite centres in several other cities across Illinois, including Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. The DeKalb campus is known for its welcoming community feel, with local amenities offering student discounts, and it is just an hour away from Chicago, providing easy access to big-city opportunities.
NIU offers a diverse range of academic programs and extracurricular activities. The university is composed of seven degree-granting colleges, including a School of Art and Design, a School of Music, and a School of Theatre and Dance. NIU's College of Visual and Performing Arts hosts numerous art exhibitions, music concerts, and theatrical and dance productions each year. The university also has over 400 student organizations, including recreational sports clubs, fraternities, and sororities, providing a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved and find their passion.
NIU is classified as a "Doctoral University with High Research Activity" and is a member of the Universities Research Association, which manages several federal physics laboratories. The university has a strong research focus and provides hands-on research opportunities for its students. NIU also boasts a low student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, ensuring that every student receives mentorship and personal attention.
With around 16,000 students, NIU offers a vibrant and diverse learning environment, bringing together individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives. The university's commitment to academic excellence, research, and student success makes it a popular choice for those seeking a well-rounded and engaging educational experience.
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In 2022, 15,649 students were enrolled
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university located in DeKalb, Illinois, United States. It was founded in 1895 as the Northern Illinois State Normal School and was initially established to provide the state with college-educated teachers. In 2022, NIU had a total enrollment of 15,649 students, including both undergraduate and graduate students. The university offers a vibrant and diverse campus community, with students from various backgrounds and countries coming together to pursue their academic goals.
NIU's campus is known for its lively atmosphere and strong sense of community. With over 400 student organizations, NIU provides numerous opportunities for students to get involved and find their niche. Students can join recreational sports clubs, fraternities or sororities, academic groups, advocacy groups, or explore their creative side through the arts. The university also has a strong athletic presence, with its teams known as the Huskies competing in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Mid-American Conference.
The university is composed of seven degree-granting colleges, offering a wide range of academic programs. NIU is classified as a "Doctoral University with High Research Activity," reflecting its strong focus on research and scholarship. The university is a member of the Universities Research Association and has partnerships with several federal physics laboratories, including the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. NIU's Center for Southeast Asian Studies is one of seven federally recognized National Resource Centers for Southeast Asian foreign language and area studies.
In 2022, NIU's full-time enrollment stood at 11,908 students, while part-time enrollment was 3,741. The university had a gender distribution of approximately 46.9% male and 53.1% female students. The most common racial/ethnic group among degree recipients was white, followed by Hispanic or Latino. The university awarded degrees in various fields, with the most common Masters's Degree concentration being General Business Administration & Management.
NIU provides a supportive and inclusive environment for its students, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship. The average class size of 23 students allows for a more intimate learning experience. Located just an hour from Chicago, students also benefit from easy access to the cultural experiences, internships, and opportunities that a major city has to offer.
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There are 11,358 undergraduates
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois, founded in 1895. The university's student body is composed of approximately 16,000 students, 11,358 of whom are undergraduates. This makes the undergraduate population around 70% of the total student body.
NIU's undergraduate population is slightly skewed towards female students, with a gender distribution of 46.9% male and 53.1% female. The university has an average class size of 23 students and a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, allowing for a high level of personal attention and mentorship.
The undergraduate population at NIU is diverse, with students from various backgrounds and locations. The university offers a welcoming community and easy access to big-city opportunities, as it is just an hour away from Chicago. The campus provides a vibrant and enriching learning environment, with students bringing diverse perspectives and experiences.
With over 11,000 undergraduates, NIU offers a range of academic programs and opportunities for students to engage in research and hands-on learning. The university is classified as a "Doctoral University with High Research Activity", reflecting its commitment to research and scholarship. NIU also has a strong athletics program, competing in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division I and offering various recreational sports clubs.
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36% live in college-owned housing
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a public research university located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Chicago, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon, Illinois. The university has approximately 16,000 students, with over 15,400 of those being undergraduates.
NIU has a vibrant campus community, with about 4,000 students, or 36%, living in college-owned housing. The residence hall communities are designed to bring together students with similar interests, creating a supportive and welcoming environment. With an on-campus community of this size, students can enjoy the benefits of a tight-knit college experience while still having access to the opportunities afforded by a large research university.
The university's main campus in DeKalb offers a charming college town atmosphere, with local coffee shops, restaurants, and stores providing student discounts. The town's convenient location, just an hour from Chicago, allows students to take advantage of the city's world-class internships, cultural experiences, and entertainment.
NIU's on-campus housing options include residence halls such as Gilbert, Grant, Neptune, New Hall, and Stevenson. These halls offer various meal plan options and dining venues to cater to different student preferences and needs. Living on campus provides students with easy access to the university's state-of-the-art facilities, research labs, performance spaces, and athletic facilities.
With an average class size of 23 students and a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio, NIU ensures that every student receives the attention and mentorship they need to succeed. The university's high-quality education, combined with its focus on hands-on learning and research opportunities, empowers students to pursue their passions and prepare for their future careers.
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The most common race/ethnicity group is white
Northern Illinois University (NIU) is a large public university in DeKalb, Illinois, with a diverse student population of over 20,000 students. The student body is comprised of students from all 50 states and over 100 countries, with 8% of the student population being international students.
The most common race/ethnicity group at Northern Illinois University is white. While the exact racial breakdown of the student population is not available, it can be inferred from the demographic information of the surrounding area and the university's commitment to diversity and inclusion. DeKalb, the city where the university is located, has a population of about 95,000 people, and the majority of residents identify as white.
NIU is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community and providing a welcoming environment for students from all backgrounds. The university offers over 100 majors and has more than 400 student organizations, including cultural and advocacy groups that embrace different interests and identities. The student body's diversity is also reflected in the range of recreational sports clubs offered, such as lacrosse, volleyball, rugby, swimming, and ice hockey.
The university's Center for Burma Studies, which houses a large collection of Burmese art, is an example of its commitment to cultural diversity. Additionally, the School of Art and Design, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre and Dance provide opportunities for students to express their cultural identities through artistic endeavours.
NIU's student population benefits from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, with 50% of undergraduates being the first in their families to attend college. This diversity is further enhanced by the variety of accelerated programs that offer combined bachelor's and master's degrees or law degrees, attracting students with diverse educational backgrounds and goals.
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Frequently asked questions
Northern Illinois University has a student body of approximately 16,000. In 2022, the total enrollment was 15,649 students, with 11,908 full-time students and 3,741 part-time students.
There are 11,349 undergraduate students at Northern Illinois University, with 5,263 male students and 6,086 female students.
The average class size at Northern Illinois University is 23 students. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1.











































