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National Louis University

National Louis University

Chicago, IL · City · 4,406 students
Website Common App Scorecard
Application deadlines: Check the admissions site
$12,641
Average net priceYour net price
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
33%
Graduation rate
58% typical
$45,799
Earnings 10 years on
$55,545 typical
95%
Acceptance rate
81% typical · not scored
Accredited by Higher Learning Commission
About

National Louis University (NLU), located in the heart of downtown Chicago, is an urban institution best known for its historic leadership in early childhood education through the National College of Education and its acclaimed culinary arts and hospitality management programs at Kendall College. Alongside strong offerings in psychology, business, and human services, NLU is distinctly recognized for its innovative Harrison Professional Pathways program, which offers an affordable, highly supportive degree model structured for first-generation and working learners. The campus culture is pragmatic, career-focused, and deeply diverse, providing students with flexible scheduling, personalized academic coaching, and direct access to Chicago’s professional network.

Wikipedia:National Louis University (NLU) is a private university with its main campus in Chicago, Illinois, United States. NLU enrolls undergraduate and graduate students in more than 60 programs across its four colleges. It has locations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area as well as a regional campus in Tampa, Florida, where it serves students from 13 counties in that state's central region.

Location
Chicago, IL, 60603 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
MDW · Chicago Midway
9 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
These figures are federal data and may be out of date.
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$12,705
Books & supplies$0
Cost of attendance$24,154
Average net price$12,641
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$12,705
Books & supplies$0
Cost of attendance$24,154
Average net price$12,641
Net price by family income
$0–30k
$12,462
$30–48k
$11,567
$48–75k
$12,996
$75–110k
$15,447
$110k+
$17,956
Grants from the school
18% of first-years get a grant from the school, averaging $4,338
Source: College Navigator (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS)
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
33%
Within 4 yrs
24%
Back for yr 2
50%
Transferred
13%
Pell students: 28.4% · others: 35.0% 
8 yrs after starting
33% graduated · 20% transferred · 1% still enrolled · 46% left or unknown
Earnings
6 yrs after entry$43,562
10 yrs after entry$45,799
Debt
Median at graduation$19,750
Monthly payment$209
Middle 50% owe$5.5k–$23.1k
90th percentile$32,208
Admissions
Getting in
Admit rate
95%
Test policy
Not required
Admitted students
Admit rate: men 93.8% · women 95.9% 
Yield: 18.4% of admitted students enroll 

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Essay prompts

If National Louis University asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 25%Women 75%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
17 : 1
Pell grant
55%
First-gen
50%
Family income
$24,269
Independent
68%
Veterans
2%
Age at entry
30.0
Part-time
35%
Where first-years come from
In state (IL)
85.9%
Out of state
4.1%
International
0.0%

Most out-of-state first-years from: IN 9 · WI 5 · MO 4 · CA 2 · MI 2

Race & ethnicity
White
14%
Hispanic
50%
Black
22%
Asian
2%
Two or more
2%
Non-resident
6%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports

No data. This school isn't in the U.S. Department of Education's athletics (EADA) file, so we can't list its teams. That doesn't mean it has none.

Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs
After 6 yrs
$43,562
After 10 yrs
$45,799
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods171
Criminology67
Business Administration, Management and Operations59
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services56
Psychology, General54
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other52
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods52
Computer and Information Sciences, General47
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other28
Health and Medical Administrative Services25
Hospitality Administration/Management22
Communication and Media Studies20
Social Work19
Culinary Arts and Related Services14
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology1
Business/Commerce, General1
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$73M
Full-time faculty
98%
Faculty salary
$6,891/mo
Teaching spend
$5,908
per student
Federal loans
22%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral/Professional University
Research activity
Research college or university
$4M research spending · 96 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, inclusive admissions

Wondering if National Louis University is the right fit for you?

omhu builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.

Personalized reach / match / safety list
Financial aid & net cost estimates
Deep dives on any school
Scholarship search