Cornell vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $84,351 (Cornell) and $74,103 (Northwestern).
Ten years on, graduates of Cornell earn noticeably more: $104K against $89K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (7.7% and 8.4%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1540 and 1540.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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 8.41% acceptance). Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#12 vs #33). Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $89K). Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 vs $72,270 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 Cornell for: a higher world ranking, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Northwestern for: higher selectivity, lower tuition, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 8.41% acceptance).
Cornell graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($104K vs $89K); Cornell has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.4% vs 95.1%).
Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 vs $72,270); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $64,225).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Cornell | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #12 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | #20 | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 8.41% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 63.9% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 65,612 | 49,474 |
| International students | 10.3% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $104K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $67K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $166K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 95.4% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 98% |
| Median debt | $14,000 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $72,270 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $64,225 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $29,441 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 26,793 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Cornell or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Cornell accepts 8.41% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Cornell or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Cornell graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $104K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Cornell vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,270 per year at Cornell and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Cornell or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Cornell and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Cornell or Northwestern?
Cornell ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #12 for Cornell vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Cornell or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $64,225 at Cornell and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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