Northwestern vs. DePauw

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with DePauw University in Greencastle, IN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than DePauw based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,917 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northwestern vs. DePauw Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or DePauw? 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 DePauw ($26,830 vs. $31,411).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DePauw University are 27.4% lower than at Northwestern University ($15,330 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 15.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than DePauw (about $9,252 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $59,070.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 15.7% higher at Northwestern than at DePauw University (about $9,252 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $59,070.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at DePauw University than at Northwestern University (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 50.2% larger than aid received by DePauw University students ($64,429 vs. $42,909).

Northwestern vs. DePauw Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 230 points higher than at DePauw (1310).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at DePauw).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; DePauw University 1200/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; DePauw University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; DePauw - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; DePauw Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman DePauw students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at Northwestern (3.92).
• DePauw has a higher acceptance rate (57.2%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 13.2% at DePauw.

Northwestern vs. DePauw Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and DePauw? 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 DePauw University's (85%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $28,800 more per year than DePauw graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $61,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $6,210 lower median loan debt than DePauw graduates ($19,378 vs. $25,588).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DePauw graduates ($200 vs. $264).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DePauw 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.