Northwestern vs Central Florida - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Northwestern: 7.7% against 44.7% (Central Florida).
The larger international cohort belongs to Northwestern: 11.8% of students against 3.3% (Central Florida).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Northwestern awards international students $74,103 on average, Central Florida awards $928.
On paper the cheaper option is Central Florida: $24,076 against $70,589, which is $46,513 less a year.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 44.71% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #401-500). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $58K). Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 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 Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Central Florida for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 44.71% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1260).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $58K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 78%).
Central Florida has lower sticker-price tuition ($24,076 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $11,814).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Central Florida |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #401-500 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 7.69% | 44.71% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 33.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1260 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 4.16 |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 55,135 |
| International students | 11.8% | 3.3% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $58K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $86K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 78% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 92.3% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $18,190 |
| Tuition · year | $70,589 | $24,076 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $11,814 |
| % of need met | 100% | 65% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $20,529 |
| Application fee | $75 | $30 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 69,338 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Central Florida?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Northwestern accepts 7.69% of applicants, while Central Florida accepts 44.71%.
Do Northwestern or Central Florida graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $58K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Central Florida?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,589 per year at Northwestern and $24,076 per year at Central Florida.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Central Florida?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Northwestern and 1260 at Central Florida; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northwestern or Central Florida?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #401-500 for Central Florida.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northwestern or Central Florida?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $11,814 at Central Florida.
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