Temple vs Northwestern - 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, Temple admits 80.5%.
The more international environment is at Northwestern (11.8% international students) than Temple (4.4%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Northwestern awards international students $74,103 on average, Temple awards $16,607.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Northwestern starts at $96,182 against $58,550 and ends at $28,072 against $40,717 (Temple).
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
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.69% vs 80.45% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#401-500 vs #33). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $64K). Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 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 Temple for: lower tuition.
Choose Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 80.45% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1250).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $64K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 75%).
Temple has lower sticker-price tuition ($40,144 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $17,833).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Temple | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #401-500 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | - | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 80.45% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 15% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.42 | - |
| Number of applications | 40,817 | 49,474 |
| International students | 4.4% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $64K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $41K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 75% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 83% | 98% |
| Median debt | $24,395 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $40,144 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,833 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 60.5% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $41,808 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $55 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 29,637 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Temple or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Temple accepts 80.45% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Temple or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $64K.
How much is tuition at Temple vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $40,144 per year at Temple and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Temple or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Temple and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Temple or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #401-500 for Temple vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Temple or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $17,833 at Temple and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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