Emory vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

Compare Emory University in Atlanta, GA with Northwestern University in Evanston, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Emory based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 15,175 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Emory University is located in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Emory University 10:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Emory vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emory or Northwestern? 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 Emory ($26,830 vs. $27,303).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emory University are 4.3% lower than at Northwestern University ($20,220 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 6.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emory (about $4,042 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.3% higher at Northwestern than at Emory University (about $4,042 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $64,280.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at Emory University (53% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 14.4% larger than aid received by Emory University students ($64,429 vs. $56,319).

Emory vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 30 points higher than at Emory (1510).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Emory).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 1470/1550; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emory University 32/35; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emory - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027; Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Emory (3.8).
• Emory has a higher acceptance rate (10.6%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 40.4% at Emory vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Emory vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emory and Northwestern? 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 Emory University's (90%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than Emory graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $81,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $2,145 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($17,233 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($178 vs. $200).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

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.