Johns Hopkins vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The data does not settle this one; the gaps on the axes that matter are too small to build anything on.
Average aid for an international student is $74,103 (Northwestern) and $16,051 (Johns Hopkins).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (6.4% and 7.7%), 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.
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
Johns Hopkins is the more selective of the two (6.44% vs 7.69% acceptance). Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#17 vs #33). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($88K vs $89K). Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 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 Johns Hopkins for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher retention.
Choose Northwestern for: higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Johns Hopkins is more selective (6.44% vs 7.69% acceptance).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $88K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 93.8%).
Johns Hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($67,170 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $67,159).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Johns Hopkins | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #17 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | #16 | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 6.44% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 47% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.93 | - |
| Number of applications | 45,895 | 49,474 |
| International students | 15.2% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $88K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $65K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 93.8% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 98% |
| Median debt | $10,250 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $67,170 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $67,159 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 99.5% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $30,803 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $70 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 30,210 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Johns Hopkins or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Johns Hopkins. Johns Hopkins accepts 6.44% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Johns Hopkins or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $88K at Johns Hopkins and $89K at Northwestern.
How much is tuition at Johns Hopkins vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $67,170 per year at Johns Hopkins and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Johns Hopkins or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Johns Hopkins and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Johns Hopkins or Northwestern?
Johns Hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #17 for Johns Hopkins vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Johns Hopkins or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $67,159 at Johns Hopkins and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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