Northern Illinois University's commitment to attracting and retaining
students from underrepresented groups produces results - results for the students who enroll
at NIU, for the university, and for the broader community.
In 2002, according to Black Issues in Higher Education, NIU awarded more
doctoral degrees in education to African Americans than any other public
university in the nation. NIU ranked 67th nationally for granting doctorates
to all minority students.
More recent surveys of minority degree recipients recognize Northern's
continuing commitment.
In 2006, Diverse Issues in Higher Education ranked NIU among the nation's
top 50 public institutions for the number of masters degrees awarded to
Hispanics. For the number of computer and information sciences masters
awarded to Asian Americans, the university ranked in the top 20 of public
institutions. And NIU ranked in the top 50 for the number of doctoral
degrees awarded to African-Americans at state-supported universities.