Northwestern vs. Miami

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Miami University Oxford in Oxford, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Miami based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 18,838 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Miami University Oxford is in Oxford, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Miami University Oxford is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Miami University Oxford 16:1.

Northwestern vs. Miami Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Miami? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Northwestern University than Miami ($26,830 vs. $28,229).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Miami University Oxford are 20.7% lower than at Northwestern University ($16,750 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 276.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Miami (about $50,161 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $18,161.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 65.7% higher at Northwestern than at Miami University Oxford (about $27,101 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $41,221.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Miami University Oxford than at Northwestern University (93% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 362.3% larger than aid received by Miami University Oxford students ($64,429 vs. $13,937).

Northwestern vs. Miami Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern or Miami? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Miami and Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 230 points higher than at Miami (1310).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at Miami).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Miami University Oxford 1220/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Miami University Oxford 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Miami - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Miami Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Miami (3.85).
• Miami has a higher acceptance rate (75.4%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 14% at Miami.

Northwestern vs. Miami Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Miami? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Miami University Oxford's (81%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $35,500 more per year than Miami graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $54,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $5,372 lower median loan debt than Miami graduates ($19,378 vs. $24,750).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $55 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Miami graduates ($200 vs. $255).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Miami students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.