Northwestern vs. ONU

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than ONU based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 3,140 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Ohio Northern University is in Ada, OH (Distant Town setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Ohio Northern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Ohio Northern University 13:1.

Northwestern vs. ONU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University than Northwestern ($25,941 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio Northern University are 30.9% lower than at Northwestern University ($14,604 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 71.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than ONU (about $28,522 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.7% higher at Northwestern than at Ohio Northern University (about $28,522 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $39,800.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Ohio Northern University than at Northwestern University (97% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 132.6% larger than aid received by Ohio Northern University students ($64,429 vs. $27,696).

Northwestern vs. ONU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 250 points higher than at ONU (1290).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 26 at ONU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Ohio Northern University 1175/1400.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Ohio Northern University 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; ONU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; ONU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at ONU (3.78).
• ONU has a higher acceptance rate (74.4%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 19.9% at ONU.

Northwestern vs. ONU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and ONU? 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 Ohio Northern University's (65%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $18,600 more per year than ONU graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $71,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $7,622 lower median loan debt than ONU graduates ($19,378 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $79 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ONU graduates ($200 vs. $279).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ONU students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 82%)

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.