Northwestern vs. Saint Louis University

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

Northwestern University
Saint Louis University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northwestern (7.7% admitted vs 75%). Typical SAT 1540 vs 1310.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $26,830 at Northwestern vs $27,749 at Saint Louis University. Northwestern in-state tuition is about $12,562 more per year.
  • Graduation: Northwestern 94% vs Saint Louis University 61%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northwestern $89,800 vs Saint Louis University $61,800 (median).
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Key differences

Northwestern University Saint Louis University
Acceptance rate
Northwestern more selective
Northwestern7.7%
Saint Louis University75%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northwestern higher
Northwestern1510-1570
Saint Louis University1200-1410
Average net price
About even
Northwestern$26,830
Saint Louis University$27,749
In-state tuition
Saint Louis University $12,562 less
Northwestern$68,322
Saint Louis University$55,760
Out-of-state tuition
Saint Louis University $12,562 less
Northwestern$68,322
Saint Louis University$55,760
Graduation rate
Northwestern +33 pts
Northwestern94%
Saint Louis University61%
Median earnings (10 years)
Northwestern +$28,000
Northwestern$89,800
Saint Louis University$61,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Northwestern 49,474
  • Saint Louis University 15,533
  • Admitted
  • Northwestern 3,806
  • Saint Louis University 11,656
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northwestern 7.7%
  • Saint Louis University 75%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northwestern 55.3%
  • Saint Louis University 13.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northwestern 1540
  • Saint Louis University 1310
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northwestern 34
  • Saint Louis University 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northwestern 3.92
  • Saint Louis University 3.95
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northwestern A
  • Saint Louis University A
  • Admissions standards
  • Northwestern Elite
  • Saint Louis University Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Northwestern Extreme
  • Saint Louis University
  • SAT range
  • Northwestern 1510-1570
  • Saint Louis University 1200-1410
  • ACT range
  • Northwestern 33-35
  • Saint Louis University 25-31
  • Submit test scores
  • Northwestern Test optional
  • Saint Louis University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Northwestern Jan 1, 2027
  • Saint Louis University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Saint Louis University $55,760
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Saint Louis University $55,760
  • Room & board
  • Northwestern $21,126
  • Saint Louis University $15,280
  • Average net price
  • Northwestern $26,830
  • Saint Louis University $27,749
  • Average grant aid
  • Northwestern $64,429
  • Saint Louis University $44,657
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northwestern 53%
  • Saint Louis University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northwestern 94%
  • Saint Louis University 61%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northwestern $89,800
  • Saint Louis University $61,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northwestern 87%
  • Saint Louis University 74%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northwestern $19,378
  • Saint Louis University $26,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Northwestern $200
  • Saint Louis University $268
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northwestern 6:1
  • Saint Louis University 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northwestern
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Saint Louis University
    • Business (24%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Social Sciences (7%)
    • Biology (6%)
    • Psychology (5%)
  • Location
  • Northwestern Evanston, IL
  • Saint Louis University Saint Louis, MO
  • Setting
  • Northwestern Small City
  • Saint Louis University Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northwestern 23,856
  • Saint Louis University 17,059
  • Type
  • Northwestern Private 4 Year
  • Saint Louis University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northwestern #15
  • Saint Louis University #166

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Saint Louis University in Saint Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Northwestern University is larger than Saint Louis University based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 17,059 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Saint Louis University is in Saint Louis, MO (Large City setting).
  • Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Saint Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Saint Louis University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Saint Louis University are 27.7% lower than at Northwestern University ($15,280 vs. $21,126).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at Northwestern than at Saint Louis University (about $12,562 more per year; $68,322 vs. $55,760).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Saint Louis University than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 44.3% larger than aid received by Saint Louis University students ($64,429 vs. $44,657).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 6 points higher at Northwestern than at Saint Louis University (34 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Northwestern and Saint Louis University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Saint Louis University average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Northwestern (3.92).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 13.9% at Saint Louis University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $6,622 lower median loan debt than Saint Louis University graduates ($19,378 vs. $26,000).
  • Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Saint Louis University graduates ($200 vs. $268).
  • More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Saint Louis University students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 74%).

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

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