Northwestern vs. Northeastern

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Northeastern University in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northeastern University is larger than Northwestern based on total student enrollment (32,553 students vs. 23,856 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Northeastern University is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Northeastern University 16:1.

Northwestern vs. Northeastern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern ($26,830 vs. $34,207).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University are 7.3% lower than at Northwestern University ($19,580 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 3.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northeastern (about $2,160 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.3% higher at Northwestern than at Northeastern University (about $2,160 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $66,162.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University than at Northwestern University (66% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 27.8% larger than aid received by Northeastern University students ($64,429 vs. $50,421).

Northwestern vs. Northeastern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern or Northeastern? 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 Northeastern and Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 50 points higher than at Northeastern (1490).
• Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Northeastern (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Northeastern University 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Northeastern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Northeastern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Northeastern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Northeastern (3.91).
• Northwestern has a higher acceptance rate (7.7%) than Northeastern (5.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 53.8% at Northeastern.

Northwestern vs. Northeastern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Northeastern? 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 Northeastern University's (77%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than Northeastern graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $69,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $8,497 lower median loan debt than Northeastern graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,875).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern graduates ($200 vs. $288).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.