Northwestern vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Northwestern turns away the overwhelming majority (7.7%).
The share of international students differs sharply: 11.8% (Northwestern) against 5.7% (Houston).
Average aid for an international student is $74,103 (Northwestern) and $4,456 (Houston).
The tuition gap is $42,663 a year: $27,926 (Houston) against $70,589.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 73.92% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #201-300). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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 Houston 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 73.92% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1240).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $62K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 7.69% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 31,716 |
| International students | 11.8% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 87% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $70,589 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 100% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Houston?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Northwestern accepts 7.69% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Northwestern or Houston graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,589 per year at Northwestern and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Northwestern and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northwestern or Houston?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northwestern or Houston?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $16,450 at Houston.
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