Northwestern vs. Wooster

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than Wooster based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 1,738 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Northwestern vs. Wooster Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Wooster? 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 Wooster ($26,830 vs. $28,004).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at The College of Wooster are 31.4% lower than at Northwestern University ($14,490 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 10.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Wooster (about $6,682 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.8% higher at Northwestern than at The College of Wooster (about $6,682 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $61,640.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at The College of Wooster than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 35.2% larger than aid received by The College of Wooster students ($64,429 vs. $47,672).

Northwestern vs. Wooster Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 200 points higher than at Wooster (1340).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Wooster).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; The College of Wooster 1220/1460.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; The College of Wooster 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Wooster - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Wooster Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Wooster (3.76).
• Wooster has a higher acceptance rate (59.5%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 11.4% at Wooster.

Northwestern vs. Wooster Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Wooster? 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 The College of Wooster's (75%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $38,600 more per year than Wooster graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $51,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $6,622 lower median loan debt than Wooster graduates ($19,378 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Wooster graduates ($200 vs. $268).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Wooster students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 76%)

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.