Northwestern vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Washington University in St Louis in St. Louis, MO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Northwestern University is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

Northwestern vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or WUSTL ? 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 Washington University in St Louis than Northwestern ($22,408 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northwestern University are 3.3% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($21,126 vs. $21,854).
• Northwestern University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $2,532 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at Northwestern than at Washington University in St Louis (about $2,532 more per year; $68,322.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at Washington University in St Louis (53% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 2.6% larger than aid received by Northwestern University students ($66,080 vs. $64,429).

Northwestern vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is the same as at WUSTL (1540).
• Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at WUSTL (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have the same average high school GPA (3.92) as students at WUSTL (3.92).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

Northwestern vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and WUSTL ? 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 Washington University in St Louis's (93%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $7,000 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $522 lower median loan debt than WUSTL graduates ($19,378 vs. $19,900).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WUSTL graduates ($200 vs. $205).
• More WUSTL 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.