Emory vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at Northwestern ($74,103 on average), while Emory stops at $54,457.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Northwestern: $89K against $80K.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Northwestern: 1540 against 1510, a gap of 30 points.
Students admitted to both more often choose Northwestern (55.3% enrol, against 40.4%).
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 10.29% 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 $80K). Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 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 Emory 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 10.29% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1510).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $80K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 91.1%).
Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $67,329).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Emory | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | - | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 10.29% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 40.4% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1510 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.84 | - |
| Number of applications | 34,614 | 49,474 |
| International students | 16.7% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $80K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $58K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $120K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 91.1% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 96% | 98% |
| Median debt | $18,250 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,056 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,329 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 99.9% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $24,562 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 15,179 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Emory or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Emory accepts 10.29% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Emory or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Emory vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,056 per year at Emory and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Emory or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1510 at Emory and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Emory or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Emory vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Emory or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $67,329 at Emory and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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