Northwestern vs. Hamline University

Should I go to Northwestern University or Hamline University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northwestern or Hamline University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northwestern University vs. Hamline University comparison
Northwestern University Hamline University College 3 College 4
Northwestern University Hamline University
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Overview

Northwestern Hamline University
Location Evanston, IL Saint Paul, MN
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 23,203 2,432
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #16 #319
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website northwestern.edu hamline.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northwestern Hamline University
Tuition (In State) $64,887 $47,134
Tuition (Out of State) $64,887 $47,134
Room & Board $20,334 $12,030
Avg Net Price $23,341 $22,759
Avg Grant Aid $64,463 $33,981
% Receiving Grant Aid 52% 100%

Admission

Northwestern Hamline University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 51,769 3,185
Admitted 3,703 2,861
Acceptance Rate 7.2% 89.8%
Enrolled % 57% 13.8%
Avg High School GPA 3.92 3.48
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Elite Difficult
Applicant Competition Extreme
ACT Range 33/35 20/28
SAT Range 1490/1560 1146/1393
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 1, 2026

Academics

Northwestern Hamline University
Student to Faculty Ratio 6:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (25%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Engineering (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Business (15%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Legal Professions (6%)

Outcomes

Northwestern Hamline University
Graduation Rate 94% 68%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $89,800 $55,100
Making Student Loan Payments 87% 73%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,378 $24,250
Median Loan Payment $200 $250

Diversity

Northwestern Hamline University
% Men 27% 9%
% Women 33% 21%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 50% 72%
% Black 6% 6%
% Hispanic 12% 7%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 5% 6%
% International 8% 1%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Northwestern Hamline University
% In-State 22% 82%
% Out-of-State 67% 17%

Campus

Northwestern Hamline University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northwestern University is larger than than Hamline University based on total student enrollment (23,203 students vs. 2,432 students)

Northwestern vs. Hamline University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Hamline University?

  • Northwestern University is 37.7% more expensive to attend than Hamline University for in-state tuition ($64,887.00 vs. $47,134.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 37.7% higher at Northwestern than Hamline University ($64,887.00 vs. $47,134.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Hamline University than Northwestern ($22,759 vs. $23,341)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hamline University are 69% lower than costs at Northwestern University ($12,030 vs. $20,334)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Hamline University than Northwestern University (100% vs. 52%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 89.7% larger than aid received Hamline University ($64,463 vs. $33,981)

Northwestern vs. Hamline University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern or Hamline University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Hamline University or Northwestern .

  • The average SAT score at Northwestern University (1460) is 333 points higher than at Hamline University (1127)
  • Incoming Northwestern students have a 8 point higher average ACT score (33) than students at Hamline University (25)
  • Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.44 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Hamline University (3.48)
  • Hamline University has a higher acceptance rate (89.8%) than Northwestern (7.2%)

Northwestern vs. Hamline University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northwestern or Hamline University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Hamline University and Northwestern.

  • The graduation rate at Northwestern is higher than Hamline University (94% vs. 68%)
  • Graduates from Northwestern University earn on average $34,700 more per year than Hamline University graduates after ten years. ($89,800 vs. $55,100)
  • Northwestern University students graduate with a $4,872 lower median federal student loan debt than Hamline University graduates. ($19,378 vs. $24,250)
  • Northwestern graduates are paying $50 less per month on federal student loans than Hamline University graduates. ($200 vs. $250)
  • More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hamline University students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 73%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/