Barsema Hall opened in 2002 as the home of Northern Illinois University's College of Business, on the main campus in DeKalb. The school is AACSB accredited in both business and accounting, and accountancy is the programme it is best known for. Undergraduates choose from majors such as finance, marketing and operations management, and graduate students take master's degrees in accounting, information systems and business administration.
DeKalb, Illinois, United States
Official website: cob.niu.edu
Northern Illinois University
AACSB business and accounting
Barsema Hall, opened 2002
$15,000 – $22,000
International students, undergraduate and graduate
$12,000 – $15,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on cob.niu.edu before you apply.
BS Accountancy
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
BS Finance
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 70
Master of Accounting Science
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Management Information Systems
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
An accountancy programme with strong CPA exam results.
Accreditation from AACSB in both business and accounting.
Barsema Hall, a building used only by business students.
Accountancy graduates are hired by Big Four and regional firms in Chicago.
MIS graduates move into analyst, ERP and IT consulting roles.
STEM-designated master's graduates may qualify for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
DeKalb is a college town surrounded by corn fields, about 65 miles west of Chicago. Barbed wire was patented here in the 1870s, which is why locals still call it Barb City.
Rent and food are cheap by Illinois standards. Metra trains leave from Elburn, about 20 minutes east, for downtown Chicago.
Form I-20 issued by Northern Illinois University
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
NIU reviews international applications on a rolling basis. For the business master's programmes, aim to apply by about May for fall and October for spring so the I-20 is issued in time.
Business programmes admit students in fall (August) and spring (January). A few graduate courses also start in summer.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from Northern Illinois University first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Accountancy, finance, the Master of Accounting Science, the MS in Management Information Systems and the MBA are popular. Graduate programmes need a bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80, with the GMAT or GRE sometimes waived.
NIU gives merit scholarships to many international undergraduates, and some business graduate students receive assistantships. Check the international admissions pages for current amounts.
