Northwestern vs. DePauw

Northwestern University and DePauw University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Northwestern University
DePauw University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern (7.7% admitted vs 57.2%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: Northwestern. Average net price is $26,830 vs $31,411 at DePauw.
  • Graduation: Northwestern 94% vs DePauw 85%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern $89,800 vs DePauw $61,000 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern University DePauw University
Acceptance rate
Northwestern more selective
Northwestern7.7%
DePauw57.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwestern higher
Northwestern1510-1570
DePauw1200-1410
Average net price
Northwestern $4,581 less
Northwestern$26,830
DePauw$31,411
In-state tuition
DePauw $9,252 less
Northwestern$68,322
DePauw$59,070
Out-of-state tuition
DePauw $9,252 less
Northwestern$68,322
DePauw$59,070
Graduation rate
Northwestern +9 pts
Northwestern94%
DePauw85%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northwestern +$28,800
Northwestern$89,800
DePauw$61,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern 49,474
  • DePauw 6,683
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern 3,806
  • DePauw 3,822
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern 7.7%
  • DePauw 57.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern 55.3%
  • DePauw 13.2%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern 1540
  • DePauw 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern 34
  • DePauw 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern 3.92
  • DePauw 3.97
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern A
  • DePauw A
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern Elite
  • DePauw Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern Extreme
  • DePauw Low
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern 1510-1570
  • DePauw 1200-1410
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern 33-35
  • DePauw 28-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern Test optional
  • DePauw Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern Jan 1, 2027
  • DePauw Feb 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • DePauw $59,070
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • DePauw $59,070
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern $21,126
  • DePauw $15,330
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern $26,830
  • DePauw $31,411
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern $64,429
  • DePauw $42,909
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern 53%
  • DePauw 99%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern 94%
  • DePauw 85%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern $89,800
  • DePauw $61,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern 87%
  • DePauw 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern $19,378
  • DePauw $25,588
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern $200
  • DePauw $264
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern 6:1
  • DePauw 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • DePauw
    • Social Sciences (19%)
    • Communication (12%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (8%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern Evanston, IL
  • DePauw Greencastle, IN
  • Setting
  • Northwestern Small City
  • DePauw Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern 23,856
  • DePauw 1,917
  • Type
  • Northwestern Private 4 Year
  • DePauw Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern #15
  • DePauw #99

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with DePauw University in Greencastle, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern University is larger than DePauw based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,917 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); DePauw University is in Greencastle, IN (Distant Town setting).
  • Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. DePauw University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; DePauw University 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DePauw University are 27.4% lower than at Northwestern University ($15,330 vs. $21,126).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at Northwestern than at DePauw University (about $9,252 more per year; $68,322 vs. $59,070).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePauw University than at Northwestern University (99% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 50.2% larger than aid received by DePauw University students ($64,429 vs. $42,909).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Northwestern than at DePauw (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northwestern and DePauw.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; DePauw Feb 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at DePauw average a 3.97 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at Northwestern (3.92).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 13.2% at DePauw.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $6,210 lower median loan debt than DePauw graduates ($19,378 vs. $25,588).
  • Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePauw graduates ($200 vs. $264).
  • More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePauw students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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