Northwestern vs. Denison

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Denison University in Granville, OH on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Denison based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 2,394 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Denison University is in Granville, OH (Rural Fringe setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Denison University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Denison University 9:1.

Northwestern vs. Denison Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Denison? 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 Denison ($26,830 vs. $43,721).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Denison University are 22.4% lower than at Northwestern University ($16,400 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Denison (about $1,322 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2% higher at Northwestern than at Denison University (about $1,322 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $67,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Denison University than at Northwestern University (94% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 68.8% larger than aid received by Denison University students ($64,429 vs. $38,179).

Northwestern vs. Denison Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 130 points higher than at Denison (1410).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at Denison).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Denison University 1320/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Denison University 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Denison - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Denison Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Denison (3.76).
• Denison has a higher acceptance rate (17.4%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 23.8% at Denison.

Northwestern vs. Denison Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Denison? 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 Denison University's (79%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $33,700 more per year than Denison graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $56,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $6,622 lower median loan debt than Denison graduates ($19,378 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Denison graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Denison students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.