Head-to-head comparison
Northeastern University vs. Northwestern University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Northeastern or Northwestern harder to get into?
Northeastern is harder to get into than Northwestern. Northeastern's 5.2% acceptance rate is lower than Northwestern's 7.2%.
Which is cheaper, Northeastern or Northwestern?
Northwestern costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Northwestern's average net price is $29,167 vs $30,915 at Northeastern.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Northeastern graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $92,538 at Northeastern and $89,363 at Northwestern.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Northeastern | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 7.2% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1440–1540 | 1500–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 33–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,641 | $90,304 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $30,915 | $29,167 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 17,326 | 8,848 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 90.5% | 95.1% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $92,538 | $89,363 |
| Setting | Boston, Massachusetts | Evanston, Illinois |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Northeastern is modestly harder to get into. The 2.0-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
Net cost is essentially the same at both schools after grants and scholarships, despite different sticker prices. Both schools meet most demonstrated need for in-range income brackets.
Northeastern is substantially larger with 17,326 undergrads vs 8,848 at Northwestern. 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. Northeastern is in Boston, Massachusetts; 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.
Northwestern's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (95.1% vs 90.5% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Northeastern is 56.6% women, 13.6% international, and 22.3% Asian-American. Northwestern is 54.3% women, 11.6% international, and 21.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Northeastern | Northwestern |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 56.6% | 54.3% |
| International | 13.6% | 11.6% |
| White | 39.9% | 30.6% |
| Asian | 22.3% | 21.2% |
| Hispanic | 10.4% | 15.8% |
| Black | 5.0% | 8.4% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Northeastern vs. Northwestern?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Northeastern if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($92,538 vs $89,363)
- the co-op program that embeds students in industry for multiple semesters
Pick Northwestern if
- Your odds are realistic at Northwestern (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Northwestern costs $1,748 less per year on average
- 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
Northeastern University
5.2% accept · Boston, Massachusetts
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.