Northwestern vs. Kalamazoo College

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than Kalamazoo College based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,166 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northwestern vs. Kalamazoo College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Kalamazoo 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 Northwestern University than Kalamazoo College ($26,830 vs. $26,956).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kalamazoo College are 40.6% lower than at Northwestern University ($12,549 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 11.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Kalamazoo College (about $7,272 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $61,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11.9% higher at Northwestern than at Kalamazoo College (about $7,272 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $61,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kalamazoo College than at Northwestern University (99% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 36.4% larger than aid received by Kalamazoo College students ($64,429 vs. $47,252).

Northwestern vs. Kalamazoo College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 260 points higher than at Kalamazoo College (1280).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 24 at Kalamazoo College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Kalamazoo College 1170/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Kalamazoo College 20/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Kalamazoo College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Kalamazoo College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Kalamazoo College (3.73).
• Kalamazoo College has a higher acceptance rate (75.3%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 11.7% at Kalamazoo College.

Northwestern vs. Kalamazoo College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo College's (80%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $35,400 more per year than Kalamazoo College graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $54,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,072 lower median loan debt than Kalamazoo College graduates ($19,378 vs. $26,450).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Kalamazoo College graduates ($200 vs. $273).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kalamazoo College 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.