Northwestern vs. Truman State

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Truman State University in Kirksville, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than Truman State based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 3,664 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Truman State University is in Kirksville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Truman State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Truman State University 12:1.

Northwestern vs. Truman State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Truman State? 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 Truman State University than Northwestern ($13,602 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Truman State University are 47.3% lower than at Northwestern University ($11,128 vs. $21,126).
• Northwestern University is 594.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Truman State (about $58,484 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $9,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 268% higher at Northwestern than at Truman State University (about $49,756 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $18,566.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Truman State University than at Northwestern University (100% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 428.7% larger than aid received by Truman State University students ($64,429 vs. $12,186).

Northwestern vs. Truman State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 270 points higher than at Truman State (1270).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 28 at Truman State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Truman State University 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Truman State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Truman State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Truman State (3.81).
• Truman State has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 25.9% at Truman State.

Northwestern vs. Truman State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Truman State? 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 Truman State University's (69%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $40,000 more per year than Truman State graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $3,278 lower median loan debt than Truman State graduates ($19,378 vs. $22,656).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Truman State graduates ($200 vs. $234).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Truman State 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.