Northwestern vs Johns hopkins — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Johns hopkins is the more selective of the two (6.4% vs 7.7% acceptance). Johns hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #17). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($89K vs $88K). Johns hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,230 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 Northwestern for: higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate, a larger aid package.
Choose Johns hopkins for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher retention.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Johns hopkins is more selective (6.4% vs 7.7% acceptance); Johns hopkins has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1533).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $88K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 93.8%).
Johns hopkins has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,230 vs $68,322); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $67,159).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Johns hopkins |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #17 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | #16 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.7% | 6.4% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 47% |
| Median SAT | 1533 | 1553 |
| Avg. GPA | — | 3.90 |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 45,895 |
| International students | 20% | 32% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $88K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $89K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 93.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98.1% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $10,250 |
| Tuition · year | $68,322 | $65,230 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $67,159 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.5% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $30,803 |
| Application fee | $75 | $70 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 30,210 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Johns hopkins?
It's harder to get into Johns hopkins. Northwestern accepts 7.7% of applicants, while Johns hopkins accepts 6.4%.
Do Northwestern or Johns hopkins graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal — 10 years after enrollment, the median is $89K at Northwestern and $88K at Johns hopkins.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Johns hopkins?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,322 per year at Northwestern and $65,230 per year at Johns hopkins.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Johns hopkins?
The median admitted SAT score is 1533 at Northwestern and 1553 at Johns hopkins; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Northwestern or Johns hopkins?
Johns hopkins ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #17 for Johns hopkins.
Which university offers more financial aid — Northwestern or Johns hopkins?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $67,159 at Johns hopkins.
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