Northwestern vs Emory - 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 (#33 vs #101-150). 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 Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Emory 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 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 | Northwestern | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 7.69% | 10.29% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.84 |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 34,614 |
| International students | 11.8% | 16.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $80K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $58K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $70,589 | $68,056 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Emory?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Northwestern accepts 7.69% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.29%.
Do Northwestern or Emory graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,589 per year at Northwestern and $68,056 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Northwestern and 1510 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northwestern or Emory?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northwestern or Emory?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $67,329 at Emory.
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