Northwestern vs Toledo - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
These are two different admissions games: Northwestern admits 7.7% of applications, Toledo admits 92%.
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Northwestern awards international students $74,103 on average, Toledo awards $4,861.
The cheaper tuition belongs to Toledo: $20,164 against $70,589, or $50,425 less a year.
Ten years on, graduates of Northwestern earn noticeably more: $89K against $51K.
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 92% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #601-700). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $51K). Toledo has lower sticker-price tuition ($20,164 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 Toledo 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 92% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1235).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $51K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 57%).
Toledo has lower sticker-price tuition ($20,164 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $14,444).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Toledo |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #601-700 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 7.69% | 92% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 18.8% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1235 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 11,067 |
| International students | 11.8% | 8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $51K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $31K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $77K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 57% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 77.3% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $22,250 |
| Tuition · year | $70,589 | $20,164 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $14,444 |
| % of need met | 100% | 61% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $23,487 |
| Application fee | $75 | $40 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 14,358 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Toledo?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Northwestern accepts 7.69% of applicants, while Toledo accepts 92%.
Do Northwestern or Toledo graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $51K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Toledo?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,589 per year at Northwestern and $20,164 per year at Toledo.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Toledo?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Northwestern and 1235 at Toledo; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northwestern or Toledo?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #601-700 for Toledo.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northwestern or Toledo?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $14,444 at Toledo.
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