Northwestern vs. UC

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with University of Cincinnati Main Campus in Cincinnati, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Cincinnati Main Campus is larger than Northwestern based on total student enrollment (45,026 students vs. 23,856 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); University of Cincinnati Main Campus is in Cincinnati, OH (Large City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Cincinnati Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 19:1.

Northwestern vs. UC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus than Northwestern ($24,696 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Cincinnati Main Campus are 35.8% lower than at Northwestern University ($13,564 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 388.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC (about $54,346 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $13,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 133.1% higher at Northwestern than at University of Cincinnati Main Campus (about $39,012 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $29,310.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Cincinnati Main Campus than at Northwestern University (73% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 686.1% larger than aid received by University of Cincinnati Main Campus students ($64,429 vs. $8,196).

Northwestern vs. UC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 270 points higher than at UC (1270).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at UC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 1160/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; University of Cincinnati Main Campus 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; UC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; UC Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at UC (3.69).
• UC has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 22.5% at UC.

Northwestern vs. UC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and UC? 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 University of Cincinnati Main Campus's (59%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $44,200 more per year than UC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $45,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $3,622 lower median loan debt than UC graduates ($19,378 vs. $23,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UC graduates ($200 vs. $237).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC 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.