NEIU's main campus is on the North Side of Chicago, in the North Park neighbourhood near the end of the CTA Brown Line. It's a public university with one of the most diverse student bodies in the Midwest and is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. Many students commute and work alongside study. Computer science, business and education are the draws for international students, and fees are low for a Chicago university.
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Official website: neiu.edu
Public university
Hispanic-Serving Institution
North Park, Chicago
$16,000 – $21,000
International students, undergraduate and graduate, approximate
$15,000 – $20,000
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 neiu.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.0, TOEFL: 61
MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
MS Accounting
Masters DegreeDuration
12-24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 80
Low tuition for a university inside Chicago.
A mixed, mostly commuter student body.
Evening classes that suit working students.
Graduates join Chicago's tech, finance and public sector employers.
Education graduates teach in Chicago-area schools.
STEM master's graduates can apply for up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
The campus is in a residential corner of the North Side, near the North Branch of the Chicago River and a short bus ride from the Kimball Brown Line terminal.
Chicago rent is lower than New York's. Winters are cold and snowy, and summers bring the lakefront beaches.
Form I-20 issued by Northeastern 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
NEIU reviews international applications on a rolling basis. Apply by early summer for fall and by October for spring to leave time for the I-20 and visa.
Students start in August for fall or January for spring.
You'll need an F-1 visa. Once you accept your offer and send proof of funding, Northeastern Illinois University issues the Form I-20. After that it's the SEVIS fee, the DS-160 form and an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, the MBA and accounting are popular with international students. Graduate programmes need a relevant bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80; undergraduates need school transcripts and IELTS 6.0.
NEIU has some merit scholarships and graduate assistantships. Awards for international students are limited, so ask the international office.
