Head-to-head comparison
Northwestern University vs. New York University
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Northwestern or NYU harder to get into?
Northwestern is harder to get into than NYU. Northwestern's 7.2% acceptance rate is lower than NYU's 9.2%.
Which is cheaper, Northwestern or NYU?
Northwestern costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Northwestern's average net price is $29,167 vs $37,050 at NYU.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Northwestern graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $89,363 at Northwestern and $82,509 at NYU.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Northwestern | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.2% | 9.2% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1500–1560 | 1480–1560 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 34–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $90,304 | $84,374 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $29,167 | $37,050 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 8,848 | 28,663 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 95.1% | 87.6% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $89,363 | $82,509 |
| Setting | Evanston, Illinois | New York, New York |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Northwestern 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.
Northwestern is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $7,883 per year, $31,532 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
NYU is substantially larger with 28,663 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. Northwestern is in Evanston, Illinois; NYU is in New York, New York. 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.
NYU has a more international student body (26.1% non-resident students vs 11.6%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
Northwestern's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (95.1% vs 87.6% 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. Northwestern is 54.3% women, 11.6% international, and 21.2% Asian-American. NYU is 59.3% women, 26.1% international, and 22.2% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Northwestern | NYU |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 54.3% | 59.3% |
| International | 11.6% | 26.1% |
| White | 30.6% | 22.0% |
| Asian | 21.2% | 22.2% |
| Hispanic | 15.8% | 14.4% |
| Black | 8.4% | 6.9% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Northwestern vs. NYU?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Northwestern if
- Net price matters: Northwestern costs $7,883 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($89,363 vs $82,509)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the quarter system
Pick NYU if
- Your odds are realistic at NYU (slightly easier admit)
- the Tisch School of the Arts
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
Northwestern University
7.2% accept · Evanston, Illinois
Full profile
New York University
9.2% accept · New York, New York
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.