Connecticut vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Northwestern admits 7.7% of applications, Connecticut admits 52.4%.
Real money goes to international students at Northwestern ($74,103 on average), while Connecticut stops at $17,282.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Northwestern starts at $96,182 against $64,100 and ends at $28,072 against $42,565 (Connecticut).
Ten years on, graduates of Northwestern earn noticeably more: $89K against $74K.
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 52.39% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#301-400 vs #33). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $74K). Connecticut has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,004 vs $70,589 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 Connecticut for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 52.39% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1340).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $74K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 83.3%).
Connecticut has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,004 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $21,535).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Connecticut | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #301-400 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | - | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 52.39% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 15.4% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1340 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 55,479 | 49,474 |
| International students | 7.4% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $74K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $50K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $109K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 83.3% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 92% | 98% |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $44,004 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $21,535 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 61.6% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $28,506 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 28,306 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Connecticut or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Connecticut accepts 52.39% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Connecticut or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $74K.
How much is tuition at Connecticut vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $44,004 per year at Connecticut and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Connecticut or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1340 at Connecticut and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Connecticut or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #301-400 for Connecticut vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Connecticut or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $21,535 at Connecticut and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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