IIT vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than IIT based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 8,834 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Illinois Institute of Technology is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• Illinois Institute of Technology is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Illinois Institute of Technology 14:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

IIT vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology than Northwestern ($24,796 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Illinois Institute of Technology are 17.8% lower than at Northwestern University ($17,356 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 30.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than IIT (about $15,936 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 30.4% higher at Northwestern than at Illinois Institute of Technology (about $15,936 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $52,386.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Illinois Institute of Technology than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 44.6% larger than aid received by Illinois Institute of Technology students ($64,429 vs. $44,547).

IIT vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, IIT 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 IIT.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 230 points higher than at IIT (1310).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 29 at IIT).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 1180/1440; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Illinois Institute of Technology 26/32; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: IIT - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: IIT Mar 1, 2027; Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at IIT (3.84).
• IIT has a higher acceptance rate (54.9%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 7.7% at IIT vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

IIT vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for IIT 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 Illinois Institute of Technology's (64%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $10,500 more per year than IIT graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $79,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,622 lower median loan debt than IIT graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than IIT graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former IIT students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 81%)

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.