Head-to-head comparison
Johns Hopkins University vs. Northwestern University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Johns Hopkins or Northwestern harder to get into?
Northwestern is harder to get into than Johns Hopkins. Northwestern's 7.2% acceptance rate is lower than Johns Hopkins's 7.3%.
Which is cheaper, Johns Hopkins or Northwestern?
Johns Hopkins costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Johns Hopkins's average net price is $18,809 vs $29,167 at Northwestern.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Northwestern graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $87,555 at Johns Hopkins and $89,363 at Northwestern.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Johns Hopkins | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.3% | 7.2% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1530–1570 | 1500–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–36 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $91,710 | $90,304 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $18,809 | $29,167 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 5,318 | 8,848 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 93.8% | 95.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $87,555 | $89,363 |
| Setting | Baltimore, Maryland | Evanston, Illinois |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Johns Hopkins's 7.3% acceptance rate and Northwestern's 7.2% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Johns Hopkins is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $10,358 per year, $41,432 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Northwestern is substantially larger with 8,848 undergrads vs 5,318 at Johns Hopkins. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, Maryland; Northwestern is in Evanston, Illinois. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Johns Hopkins is 54.9% women, 15.2% international, and 29.4% Asian-American. Northwestern is 54.3% women, 11.6% international, and 21.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Johns Hopkins | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.9% | 54.3% |
| International | 15.2% | 11.6% |
| White | 19.5% | 30.6% |
| Asian | 29.4% | 21.2% |
| Hispanic | 18.7% | 15.8% |
| Black | 8.3% | 8.4% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Johns Hopkins vs. Northwestern?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Johns Hopkins if
- Your odds are realistic at Johns Hopkins (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Johns Hopkins costs $10,358 less per year on average
- its world-leading biomedical research
Pick Northwestern if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($89,363 vs $87,555)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the quarter system
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Johns Hopkins University
7.3% accept · Baltimore, Maryland
Full profile
Northwestern University
7.2% accept · Evanston, Illinois
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.