NJIT 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, NJIT admits 65.1%.
The more international environment is at Northwestern (11.8% international students) than NJIT (6.2%).
Real money goes to international students at Northwestern ($74,103 on average), while NJIT stops at $28,025.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Northwestern starts at $96,182 against $62,714 and ends at $28,072 against $44,053 (NJIT).
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 65.08% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#701-800 vs #33). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $84K). NJIT has lower sticker-price tuition ($37,664 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 NJIT 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 65.08% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1340).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $84K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 72.8%).
NJIT has lower sticker-price tuition ($37,664 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $18,661).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | NJIT | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #701-800 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | - | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 65.08% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 17.2% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1340 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.73 | - |
| Number of applications | 15,607 | 49,474 |
| International students | 6.2% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $84K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $56K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $113K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 72.8% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 90% | 98% |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $37,664 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $18,661 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 56.8% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,459 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 13,247 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into NJIT or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. NJIT accepts 65.08% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do NJIT or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $84K.
How much is tuition at NJIT vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $37,664 per year at NJIT and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for NJIT or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1340 at NJIT and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - NJIT or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #701-800 for NJIT vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - NJIT or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $18,661 at NJIT and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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