Texas at Austin vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Northwestern admits 7.7% of applicants, while Texas at Austin admits 26.6%.
The more international environment is at Northwestern (11.8% international students) than Texas at Austin (4.5%).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Northwestern awards international students $74,103 on average, Texas at Austin awards $21,838.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Northwestern lists $96,182 against $60,460 (Texas at Austin), but after average aid what remains is $28,072 against $40,241.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
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 26.64% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#45 vs #33). Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $75K). Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 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 Texas at Austin for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 26.64% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1395).
Northwestern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($89K vs $75K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 88.9%).
Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $70,589); Northwestern offers a larger average aid package ($68,110 vs $20,219).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Texas at Austin | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #45 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | - | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 26.64% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 47.4% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1395 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 72,885 | 49,474 |
| International students | 4.5% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $75K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $51K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $117K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 88.9% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 96.7% | 98% |
| Median debt | $20,500 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $44,908 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $20,219 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 75% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $19,919 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 53,864 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Texas at Austin or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Texas at Austin accepts 26.64% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Texas at Austin or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Northwestern graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $89K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Texas at Austin vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Texas at Austin or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1395 at Texas at Austin and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Texas at Austin or Northwestern?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #45 for Texas at Austin vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Texas at Austin or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $20,219 at Texas at Austin and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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