Yale vs Northwestern - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at Yale ($84,185 on average), while Northwestern stops at $74,103.
The order of prices reverses once aid is counted: Yale starts at $98,900 against $96,182 and ends at $24,547 against $28,072 (Northwestern).
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Yale: $101K against $89K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (4.7% and 7.7%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
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
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 7.69% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#11 vs #33). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $89K). Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 vs $72,500 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 Yale for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Northwestern for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 7.69% acceptance).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $89K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 95.1%).
Northwestern has lower sticker-price tuition ($70,589 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $68,110).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Yale | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #11 | #33 |
| Rank · THE | #10 | #31 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.7% | 7.69% |
| Yield rate | 68.4% | 55.3% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1540 |
| Avg. GPA | - | - |
| Number of applications | 50,264 | 49,474 |
| International students | 10.6% | 11.8% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $89K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $61K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $194K | $139K |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% | 95.1% |
| Retention rate | 99.4% | 98% |
| Median debt | $12,975 | $15,000 |
| Tuition · year | $72,500 | $70,589 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,353 | $68,110 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,185 | $32,540 |
| Application fee | $80 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 15,657 | 23,431 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Yale or Northwestern?
It's harder to get into Yale. Yale accepts 4.7% of applicants, while Northwestern accepts 7.69%.
Do Yale or Northwestern graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Yale vs Northwestern?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,500 per year at Yale and $70,589 per year at Northwestern.
What SAT score do you need for Yale or Northwestern?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Yale and 1540 at Northwestern; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Yale or Northwestern?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #11 for Yale vs #33 for Northwestern.
Which university offers more financial aid - Yale or Northwestern?
The average aid package is $74,353 at Yale and $68,110 at Northwestern.
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