Georgetown vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

Compare Georgetown University in Washington, DC with Northwestern University in Evanston, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Georgetown based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 20,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Georgetown University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• Georgetown University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Georgetown University 11:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

Georgetown vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Georgetown 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 Georgetown ($26,830 vs. $39,083).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Georgetown University are 2.5% lower than at Northwestern University ($20,596 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgetown (about $305 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $68,017.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at Northwestern than at Georgetown University (about $305 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $68,017.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at Georgetown University (53% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 29.7% larger than aid received by Georgetown University students ($64,429 vs. $49,658).

Georgetown vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Georgetown 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 Georgetown.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 70 points higher than at Georgetown (1470).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at Georgetown).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgetown University 1390/1550; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Georgetown University 31/35; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Georgetown - Required; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Georgetown (3.89).
• Georgetown has a higher acceptance rate (12.9%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46.7% at Georgetown vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

Georgetown vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Georgetown 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).

• The graduation rate at Georgetown is the same as at Northwestern University (94% vs. 94%).
• Graduates from Georgetown University earn a median of about $29,100 more per year than Northwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,900 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgetown University graduates have a $3,878 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($15,500 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Georgetown graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($160 vs. $200).
• More Georgetown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

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.