Northwestern vs Harvard — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Harvard is the more selective of the two (3.6% vs 7.7% acceptance). Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #1). Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $89K). Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $68,322 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 Harvard 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
Harvard is more selective (3.6% vs 7.7% acceptance); Harvard has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1533).
Harvard graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $89K); Harvard has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 95.1%).
Harvard has lower sticker-price tuition ($61,676 vs $68,322); Harvard offers a larger average aid package ($74,387 vs $68,110).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Harvard |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #1 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | #3 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.7% | 3.6% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 83.6% |
| Median SAT | 1533 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 4.20 |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 54,008 |
| International students | 20% | 25% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $102K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $139K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $200K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $14,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,322 | $61,676 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $74,387 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $22,262 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 21,189 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Harvard?
It's harder to get into Harvard. Northwestern accepts 7.7% of applicants, while Harvard accepts 3.6%.
Do Northwestern or Harvard graduates earn more?
Harvard graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Harvard?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,322 per year at Northwestern and $61,676 per year at Harvard.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Harvard?
The median admitted SAT score is 1533 at Northwestern and 1553 at Harvard; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Northwestern or Harvard?
Harvard ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #1 for Harvard.
Which university offers more financial aid — Northwestern or Harvard?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $74,387 at Harvard.
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
North carolina
Duke