Chartered in 1895, Northern Illinois University is a teaching and research-extensive institution with a student enrollment of more than 23,000. Located in one of the most dynamic regions of the country, with its main campus in the City of DeKalb, Northern also operates regional sites in Rockford, Hoffman Estates, Oregon, and Naperville.

The university is composed of seven degree-granting colleges:

• College of Business
• College of Education
• College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
• College of Health and Human Sciences
• College of Law
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• College of Visual and Performing Arts

Together, these colleges offer 51 undergraduate degree programs and 70 graduate degree programs, including 10 Ph.D. programs, doctoral degrees in Education and the Juris Doctorate. NIU is a member of the prestigious National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), has received the highest-possible Carnegie Foundation ranking (Doctoral/Research - Extensive) and is a member of the elite Universities Research Association (URA). Northern is a NCAA Division I school and the NIU Huskies compete in the Mid-American Conference.