Penn vs Northwestern — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Penn is the more selective of the two (5.4% vs 7.7% acceptance). Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#14 vs #33). Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $89K). Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,322 vs $68,686 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 Penn for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Northwestern for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Penn is more selective (5.4% vs 7.7% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1533).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $89K); Penn has a higher 6-year graduation rate (96.5% vs 95.1%).
Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,322 vs $68,686); Penn offers a larger average aid package ($70,971 vs $68,110).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Penn | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | — | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 7.7% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1533 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | — |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 49,474 |
| International students | 24% | 20% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $89K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $132K | $93K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 98% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,686 | $68,322 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Penn. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.7%.
Do Penn or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Penn graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $111K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,686 per year at Penn and $68,322 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 1533 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Penn or Northwestern?
Penn ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid — Penn or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $68,110 at Northwestern.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Johns hopkins
Washington university
North carolina
Duke