UChicago vs. Northwestern

University of Chicago and Northwestern University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of Chicago
Northwestern University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UChicago (4.5% admitted vs 7.7%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1540.
  • Cheaper after aid: about even. Average net price is $28,060 at UChicago vs $26,830 at Northwestern. UChicago in-state tuition is about $2,340 more per year.
  • Graduation: UChicago 92% vs Northwestern 94%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UChicago $98,500 vs Northwestern $89,800 (median).
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Key differences

University of Chicago Northwestern University
Acceptance rate
UChicago more selective
UChicago4.5%
Northwestern7.7%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UChicago higher
UChicago1510-1580
Northwestern1510-1570
Average net price
About even
UChicago$28,060
Northwestern$26,830
In-state tuition
Northwestern $2,340 less
UChicago$70,662
Northwestern$68,322
Out-of-state tuition
Northwestern $2,340 less
UChicago$70,662
Northwestern$68,322
Graduation rate
Northwestern +2 pts
UChicago92%
Northwestern94%
Median earnings (10 years)
UChicago +$8,700
UChicago$98,500
Northwestern$89,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UChicago 43,612
  • Northwestern 49,474
  • Admitted
  • UChicago 1,955
  • Northwestern 3,806
  • Acceptance rate
  • UChicago 4.5%
  • Northwestern 7.7%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UChicago 88.3%
  • Northwestern 55.3%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UChicago 1550
  • Northwestern 1540
  • Typical ACT score
  • UChicago 34
  • Northwestern 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • UChicago 3.95
  • Northwestern 3.92
  • Typical high school grades
  • UChicago A
  • Northwestern A
  • Admissions standards
  • UChicago Elite
  • Northwestern Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • UChicago Extreme
  • Northwestern Extreme
  • SAT range
  • UChicago 1510-1580
  • Northwestern 1510-1570
  • ACT range
  • UChicago 34-35
  • Northwestern 33-35
  • Submit test scores
  • UChicago Test optional
  • Northwestern Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UChicago
  • Northwestern Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UChicago $70,662
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UChicago $70,662
  • Northwestern $68,322
  • Room & board
  • UChicago $20,109
  • Northwestern $21,126
  • Average net price
  • UChicago $28,060
  • Northwestern $26,830
  • Average grant aid
  • UChicago $62,300
  • Northwestern $64,429
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UChicago 47%
  • Northwestern 53%
  • Graduation rate
  • UChicago 92%
  • Northwestern 94%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UChicago $98,500
  • Northwestern $89,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • UChicago 86%
  • Northwestern 87%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UChicago $14,500
  • Northwestern $19,378
  • Median loan payment
  • UChicago $149
  • Northwestern $200
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UChicago 5:1
  • Northwestern 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • UChicago
    • Social Sciences (38%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Mathematics (7%)
    • Physical Sciences (7%)
    • Foreign Languages (6%)
  • Northwestern
    • Social Sciences (25%)
    • Communication (14%)
    • Engineering (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • UChicago Chicago, IL
  • Northwestern Evanston, IL
  • Setting
  • UChicago Large City
  • Northwestern Small City
  • Total enrollment
  • UChicago 18,566
  • Northwestern 23,856
  • Type
  • UChicago Private 4 Year
  • Northwestern Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UChicago #6
  • Northwestern #15

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than UChicago based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 18,566 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
  • University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Chicago are 4.8% lower than at Northwestern University ($20,109 vs. $21,126).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at UChicago than at Northwestern University (about $2,340 more per year; $70,662 vs. $68,322).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at University of Chicago (53% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 3.4% larger than aid received by University of Chicago students ($64,429 vs. $62,300).

Admissions details

  • Incoming UChicago students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 34) as students at Northwestern (34).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both UChicago and Northwestern.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UChicago average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Northwestern (3.92).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $4,878 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($14,500 vs. $19,378).
  • Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($149 vs. $200).
  • More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UChicago students, three years after graduation (87% vs. 86%).

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

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