What is the nearest airport to National Louis University?

The nearest major airport is Chicago O'Hare (ORD), about 16 miles away.

Where can I stay when visiting National Louis University?

Hotels near campus include Check local hotels, Check budget options. See the visit-planning section on this page for details.

National Louis University Campus Tours & Visits — Chicago, IL

Known for health sciences — excellent value

National Louis University is a private institution in Chicago with particular strength in health sciences and business.

A mid-sized campus of 4.1K undergraduates with a 17:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

37% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $45,799 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,157.

Established

1886

Motto

Sapientia Dignitas Temperantia

Type

Private university

93%

Acceptance

—

SAT Avg

4,100

Undergrads

17:1

Student : Faculty

37%

Grad Rate (4yr)

$45,799

Earnings 10yr

$16,157

Avg Net Price

Rankings

U.S. News

2025

#293

Washington Monthly

2025

#31

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

•History National Louis University (NLU) began in 1886, when Elizabeth Harrison founded the school to train "Kindergarteners", young women teachers who began the early childhood education movement.
•In 1954, the university's graduate school was accredited to offer masters and doctorate level degrees.
•In 1990, National Louis united the name of National College of Education with that of trustee and benefactor Michael W.
•In 1999, the historic 22-story Peoples Gas Building at 122 S.
•Michigan Avenue in Chicago's Downtown, built in 1910, became the flagship location of NLU.

Source: Wikipedia

Schools Like This

Erikson Institute

Chicago, IL · Urban · Private

Institute for Clinical Social Work

Chicago, IL · Urban · Private

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Chicago, IL · Urban · Private

Midwestern University-Downers Grove

Downers Grove, IL · Urban · Private

Admissions

Acceptance Rate93.1%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

Typical Application Requirements

0/9 items complete

Common Application or Coalition Application

Verify at source →

Official High School Transcript

Verify at source →

School Report + Counselor Recommendation

Verify at source →

Two Teacher Recommendations

Verify at source →

SAT or ACT Scores (test-optional)Optional

Check current test policy

Verify at source →

National Louis University Supplemental EssaysNon-standard

1-3 supplemental essays required

Verify at source →

CSS Profile / FAFSA

Required for financial aid consideration

Verify at source →

Arts Portfolio (if applicable)Non-standardOptional

Required for arts programs

Verify at source →

Interview (recommended)Optional

Verify at source →

Get access to view details →

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition$12,345

Books & Supplies$0

Total Cost of Attendance$25,350

Average Net Price$16,157

Median Debt at Graduation$19,750

Monthly Payment (10yr)$209

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$15,357

$30–48K$14,584

$48–75K$17,887

$75–110K$21,414

$110K+$25,279

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Net Price Trend

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

53.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.4%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$12,500

Programs (63)

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate36.9%

Freshman Retention56.4%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$43,562

10 Years$45,799

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

56%

Below Average

Student Body

Undergrads

4,100

Gender Split

74% / 26%

Women / Men

First Generation

50%

Pell Grant Recipients

57%

Race & Ethnicity

White 15%

Black 21%

Hispanic 51%

Asian 3%

Two+ 1%

Int'l 5%

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

31

Peer Average

37

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

Campus police, emergency alert system, blue-light phones

Incident Breakdown (2024)

8

Burglary

2

Aggravated Assault

1

Robbery

3

Motor Vehicle Theft

3

Sex Offenses

0

Arson

8

Drug Arrests

6

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

112High

Estimated from IL state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 30"Sunny days: 200Rainy days: 125

Nearest Cities

Chicagopop. 2.7M

0 mi(0 min)

Milwaukeepop. 570K

81 mi(140 min)

Indianapolispop. 880K

165 mi(286 min)

Getting There

Nearest Airports

ORDChicago O'Hare16 mi

MKEMilwaukee75 mi

INDIndianapolis165 mi

Distance to Cities

Chicago, IL0 mi

~0 min drive

Milwaukee, WI81 mi

~2h 20m drive

Indianapolis, IN165 mi

~4h 46m drive

Mid-Atlantic / Central (moderate winters, warm summers)

Visit Planning

Nearby Hotels

Mid-Range

Budget

National Louis University

Rankings

More About This School

History & Fun Facts

Schools Like This

Erikson Institute

Institute for Clinical Social Work

Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago

Midwestern University-Downers Grove

Admissions

Typical Application Requirements

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Net Price by Family Income

Debt & Aid Detail

Programs (63)

Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Student Body

Race & Ethnicity

Campus Safety

Incident Breakdown (2024)

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

Climate (School Year)

Nearest Cities

Getting There

Nearest Airports

Distance to Cities

Visit Planning

Nearby Hotels

Plan Your Visit

Days out near Chicago

Explore