Northwestern vs. Marquette University

Should I go to Northwestern University or Marquette University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern or Marquette University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Northwestern University vs. Marquette University comparison
Northwestern University Marquette University College 3 College 4
Northwestern University Marquette University
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Overview

 Northwestern Marquette University
Location Evanston, IL Milwaukee, WI
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 23,161 11,167
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #15 #216
Religious Affiliation - Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northwestern.edu marquette.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 Northwestern Marquette University
Tuition (In State) $62,391 $45,860
Tuition (Out of State) $62,391 $45,860
Room & Board $19,440 $14,636
Avg Net Price $22,095 $33,136
Avg Grant Aid $61,716 $29,102
% Receiving Grant Aid 50% 100%

Admission

 Northwestern Marquette University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 51,261 15,883
Admitted 3,695 13,851
Acceptance Rate 7.2% 87.2%
Enrolled % 55.2% 14.3%
Avg High School GPA 3.92 3.56
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Very High
Applicant Competition Extreme
ACT Range 33/35 26/31
SAT Range 1490/1570 1170/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2024 Dec 1, 2023

Academics

 Northwestern Marquette University
Student to Faculty Ratio 6:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (25%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Business (27%)
  • Communication (10%)
  • Health Professions (9%)
  • Engineering (9%)
  • Social Sciences (8%)

Outcomes

 Northwestern Marquette University
Graduation Rate 94% 81%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $89,800 $67,500
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,378 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $200 $279

Diversity

 Northwestern Marquette University
% Men 46% 43%
% Women 54% 57%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 50% 73%
% Black 6% 4%
% Hispanic 12% 10%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 4%
% International 8% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 0%

Students

 Northwestern Marquette University
% In-State 22% 33%
% Out-of-State 67% 65%

Campus

 Northwestern Marquette University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern University is larger than than Marquette University based on total student enrollment (23,161 students vs. 11,167 students)

Northwestern vs. Marquette University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Marquette University?

  • Northwestern University is 36% more expensive to attend than Marquette University for in-state tuition ($62,391.00 vs. $45,860.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36% higher at Northwestern than Marquette University ($62,391.00 vs. $45,860.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern University than Marquette University ($22,095 vs. $33,136)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Marquette University are 32.8% lower than costs at Northwestern University ($14,636 vs. $19,440)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Marquette University than Northwestern University (100% vs. 50%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 112.1% larger than aid received Marquette University ($61,716 vs. $29,102)

Northwestern vs. Marquette University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern or Marquette University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Marquette University or Northwestern .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern University (1460) is 241 points higher than at Marquette University (1219)
  • Incoming Northwestern students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (33) than students at Marquette University (27)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Marquette University (3.56)
  • Marquette University has a higher acceptance rate (87.2%) than Northwestern (7.2%)

Northwestern vs. Marquette University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern or Marquette University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Marquette University and Northwestern.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern is higher than Marquette University (94% vs. 81%)
  • Graduates from Northwestern University earn on average $22,300 more per year than Marquette University graduates after ten years. ($89,800 vs. $67,500)
  • Northwestern University students graduate with a $7,622 lower median federal student loan debt than Marquette University graduates. ($19,378 vs. $27,000)
  • Northwestern graduates are paying $79 less per month on federal student loans than Marquette University graduates. ($200 vs. $279)
  • More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Marquette University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/