Northeastern 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 Northeastern stops at $24,539.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Northwestern starts at $96,182 against $92,337 and ends at $28,072 against $45,782 (Northeastern).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (5.2% and 7.7%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Northwestern: a midpoint of 1540 against 1490, a difference of 50 points.
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 7.69% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #33). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $89K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 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 Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
Choose Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 7.69% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1490).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $89K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 90.5%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | - | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1490 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 49,474 |
| International students | 13.1% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 98% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $69,289 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Northeastern or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,289 per year at Northeastern and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1490 at Northeastern and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northeastern or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northeastern or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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