UChicago vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

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

Northwestern University is larger than UChicago based on total student enrollment (23,856 students vs. 18,566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Chicago is located in Chicago, IL (Large City setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Chicago is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Chicago 5:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

UChicago vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UChicago or Northwestern? 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 UChicago ($26,830 vs. $28,060).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Chicago are 4.8% lower than at Northwestern University ($20,109 vs. $21,126).
• University of Chicago is 3.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern (about $2,340 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.4% higher at UChicago than at Northwestern University (about $2,340 more per year; $70,662.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at University of Chicago (53% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 3.4% larger than aid received by University of Chicago students ($64,429 vs. $62,300).

UChicago vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Chicago (1550) is 10 points higher than at Northwestern (1540).
• Incoming UChicago students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Northwestern (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 1510/1580; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Chicago 34/35; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UChicago - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UChicago students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Northwestern (3.92).
• Northwestern has a higher acceptance rate (7.7%) than UChicago (4.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 88.3% at UChicago vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

UChicago vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UChicago and Northwestern? 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 University of Chicago's (92%).
• Graduates from University of Chicago earn a median of about $8,700 more per year than Northwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,500 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Chicago graduates have a $4,878 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($14,500 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, UChicago graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($149 vs. $200).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UChicago students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 86%)

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.