Northwestern vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than Northwestern based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 23,856 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Twin Cities is in Minneapolis, MN (Large City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 17:1.

Northwestern vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities than Northwestern ($17,209 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 34.4% lower than at Northwestern University ($13,856 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 296.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Minnesota (about $51,108 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $17,214.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 78.1% higher at Northwestern than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $29,960 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at Northwestern University (65% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 413.3% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($64,429 vs. $12,552).

Northwestern vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 140 points higher than at Minnesota (1400).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

Northwestern vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $31,600 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $807 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($19,378 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($200 vs. $208).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 74%)

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.