Northwestern vs. Vanderbilt

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than Vanderbilt based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 13,575 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Vanderbilt University is in Nashville, TN (Large City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vanderbilt University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Vanderbilt University 8:1.

Northwestern vs. Vanderbilt Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University than Northwestern ($25,186 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern University are 4.2% lower than at Vanderbilt University ($21,126 vs. $22,054).
• Northwestern University is 1.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Vanderbilt (about $824 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at Northwestern than at Vanderbilt University (about $824 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $67,498.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vanderbilt University than at Northwestern University (67% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 0% larger than aid received by Vanderbilt University students ($64,429 vs. $64,404).

Northwestern vs. Vanderbilt Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is the same as at Vanderbilt (1540).
• Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Vanderbilt (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Vanderbilt University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Vanderbilt University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Vanderbilt - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Vanderbilt Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Vanderbilt (3.89).
• Northwestern has a higher acceptance rate (7.7%) than Vanderbilt (5.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 61.2% at Vanderbilt.

Northwestern vs. Vanderbilt Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Vanderbilt? 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 Vanderbilt University's (92%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Vanderbilt graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $83,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vanderbilt University graduates have a $5,378 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Vanderbilt graduates have an estimated $56 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($144 vs. $200).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Vanderbilt students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 83%)

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.