Northwestern vs. Kenyon

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than Kenyon based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 2,249 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northwestern vs. Kenyon Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Kenyon? 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 Kenyon ($26,830 vs. $46,859).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Kenyon College are 26% lower than at Northwestern University ($15,640 vs. $21,126).
• Kenyon College is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern (about $3,198 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.7% higher at Kenyon than at Northwestern University (about $3,198 more per year; $71,520.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Kenyon College than at Northwestern University (82% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 58.2% larger than aid received by Kenyon College students ($64,429 vs. $40,731).

Northwestern vs. Kenyon Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 110 points higher than at Kenyon (1430).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 32 at Kenyon).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Kenyon College 1358/1503.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Kenyon College 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Kenyon - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Kenyon Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Kenyon (3.84).
• Kenyon has a higher acceptance rate (31%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 18.3% at Kenyon.

Northwestern vs. Kenyon Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Kenyon? 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 Kenyon College's (87%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $36,900 more per year than Kenyon graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $52,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Kenyon College graduates have a $378 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Kenyon graduates have an estimated $4 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($196 vs. $200).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Kenyon students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

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.