Northwestern vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than Stanford based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 18,625 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Stanford University 6:1.

Northwestern vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Stanford? 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 Stanford University than Northwestern ($25,078 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern University are 0.9% lower than at Stanford University ($21,126 vs. $21,315).
• Northwestern University is 3.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Stanford (about $2,412 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.7% higher at Northwestern than at Stanford University (about $2,412 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $65,910.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at Northwestern University (61% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 2.7% larger than aid received by Stanford University students ($64,429 vs. $62,755).

Northwestern vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 10 points higher than at Northwestern (1540).
• Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Stanford (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at Northwestern (3.92).
• Northwestern has a higher acceptance rate (7.7%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

Northwestern vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Northwestern University's (94%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $33,100 more per year than Northwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $6,903 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($12,475 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($128 vs. $200).
• More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.