Northwestern vs Rensselaer polytechnic institute — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.7% vs 63.5% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #501-600). Rensselaer polytechnic institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $89K). Rensselaer polytechnic institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,081 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: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Rensselaer polytechnic institute for: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.7% vs 63.5% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1533 vs 1456).
Rensselaer polytechnic institute graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($102K vs $89K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 83.6%).
Rensselaer polytechnic institute has lower sticker-price tuition ($64,081 vs $68,322); Rensselaer polytechnic institute offers a larger average aid package ($76,097 vs $68,110).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Rensselaer polytechnic institute |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | — |
| Acceptance rate | 7.7% | 63.5% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 39.7% |
| Median SAT | 1533 | 1456 |
| Avg. GPA | — | — |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 15,819 |
| International students | 20% | 19% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $102K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $86K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 83.6% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 98% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $23,750 |
| Tuition · year | $68,322 | $64,081 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $76,097 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $29,149 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 6,761 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Rensselaer polytechnic institute?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Northwestern accepts 7.7% of applicants, while Rensselaer polytechnic institute accepts 63.5%.
Do Northwestern or Rensselaer polytechnic institute graduates earn more?
Rensselaer polytechnic institute graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $102K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Rensselaer polytechnic institute?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,322 per year at Northwestern and $64,081 per year at Rensselaer polytechnic institute.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Rensselaer polytechnic institute?
The median admitted SAT score is 1533 at Northwestern and 1456 at Rensselaer polytechnic institute; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Northwestern or Rensselaer polytechnic institute?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #501-600 for Rensselaer polytechnic institute.
Which university offers more financial aid — Northwestern or Rensselaer polytechnic institute?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $76,097 at Rensselaer polytechnic institute.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
North carolina