Temple vs Northwestern — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.7% vs 80.4% 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 ($38,958 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 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 (7.7% vs 80.4% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1533 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 ($38,958 vs $68,322); 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 | 80.4% | 7.7% |
| Yield rate | 15% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1250 | 1533 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.40 | — |
| Number of applications | 40,817 | 49,474 |
| International students | 6% | 20% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $64K | $89K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $93K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 75% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 83% | 98% |
| Median debt | $24,395 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $38,958 | $68,322 |
| 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 80.4% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.7%.
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 $38,958 per year at Temple and $68,322 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Temple or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1250 at Temple and 1533 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.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Washington university
North carolina