Northwestern vs Northeastern - 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 Northeastern stops at $24,539.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Northwestern starts at $96,182 against $92,337 and ends at $28,072 against $45,782 (Northeastern).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (5.2% and 7.7%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Northwestern: a midpoint of 1540 against 1490, a difference of 50 points.
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 7.69% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #201-300). Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $89K). Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 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, a higher graduation rate, higher retention.
Choose Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 7.69% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1490).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $89K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 90.5%).
Northeastern has lower sticker-price tuition ($69,289 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Northeastern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 7.69% | 5.2% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 53.8% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1490 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 98,425 |
| International students | 11.8% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $93K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $62K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $135K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 90.5% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 96.9% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $24,250 |
| Tuition · year | $70,589 | $69,289 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $46,555 |
| % of need met | 100% | 86.7% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $32,461 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 39,774 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Northeastern?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northwestern accepts 7.69% of applicants, while Northeastern accepts 5.2%.
Do Northwestern or Northeastern graduates earn more?
Northeastern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $93K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Northeastern?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,589 per year at Northwestern and $69,289 per year at Northeastern.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Northeastern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Northwestern and 1490 at Northeastern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northwestern or Northeastern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #201-300 for Northeastern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northwestern or Northeastern?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $46,555 at Northeastern.
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