Boston University vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Northwestern admits 7.7% of applicants, while Boston University admits 12.8%.
The larger international cohort belongs to Boston University: 20.1% of students against 11.8% (Northwestern).
Average aid for an international student is $74,103 (Northwestern) and $56,639 (Boston University).
70 points separate the SAT profiles: 1540 (Northwestern) against 1470.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.69% vs 12.83% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #33). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $83K). Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 vs $71,372 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Boston University for: a larger aid package.
Choose Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 12.83% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1470).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $83K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 88.7%).
Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 vs $71,372); Boston University offers a larger average aid package ($69,396 vs $68,110).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | - |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 49,474 |
| International students | 20.1% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 98% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 92% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Boston University or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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