Northwestern vs. Centre College

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Centre College in Danville, KY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Centre College based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Centre College is in Danville, KY (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Centre College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Centre College 10:1.

Northwestern vs. Centre College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Centre College? 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 Centre College than Northwestern ($23,860 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Centre College are 30.7% lower than at Northwestern University ($14,640 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 29.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Centre College (about $15,502 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at Northwestern than at Centre College (about $15,502 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $52,820.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Centre College than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 46.4% larger than aid received by Centre College students ($64,429 vs. $44,015).

Northwestern vs. Centre College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 230 points higher than at Centre College (1310).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Centre College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Centre College 1160/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Centre College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Centre College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Centre College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Centre College (3.62).
• Centre College has a higher acceptance rate (54.4%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 19.4% at Centre College.

Northwestern vs. Centre College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Centre College? 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 Centre College's (82%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $37,300 more per year than Centre College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $52,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,622 lower median loan debt than Centre College graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Centre College graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Centre College students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 79%)

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.