Location
- Columbia University in the City of New York
- New York, NY
- Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
Columbia University in the City of New York vs Northwestern University
New York, NY · Evanston, IL · largest Scorecard gap: acceptance rate
Scorecard match plate
Pair NY:IL
PRIVATE-NP-PAIR · CROSS-STATE · ACCEPT-TIGHT · NET-SPLIT · EARN-SPLIT · DEBT-SPLIT · COMPLETE-HIGH · GAP-ACCEPT
- PRIVATE-NP-PAIR Private nonprofit pair
- CROSS-STATE NY × IL
- ACCEPT-TIGHT Tight admission
- NET-SPLIT Net-price split
- EARN-SPLIT Earnings split
- DEBT-SPLIT Debt split
- COMPLETE-HIGH High completion
- GAP-ACCEPT Largest gap · Acceptance Rate
Instrument codes from this pair's College Scorecard ownership, geography, acceptance, net price, earnings, debt, and completion, plus the ENROLL-1SIDE · modest · 2013–2023 decade-path stamp below, not a ranking or recommendation.
Decade path · College Scorecard
Only one enrollment path is a trend
ENROLL-1SIDE · modest · 2013–2023
Size changed directionally at one school over 2013–2023; the peer's series stays a range. Both acceptance rates still tightened, so the shared frame is selectivity, not enrollment.
- Columbia University in the City of New York: enrollment grew +11.7% over 2013–2023; fitted +92 students/yr fitted, r² 0.74.
- Northwestern University: enrollment ranged 8,401–8,960 (2013–2023, 11 points) without a stable fitted direction.
- Columbia University in the City of New York: acceptance rate tightened -43.0% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.79).
- Northwestern University: acceptance rate tightened -53.3% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.86).
College Scorecard institution series; dollars are nominal. Direction claims require r² ≥ 0.40 on the fitted annual slope, otherwise the page reports the observed range. Descriptive history, not a recommendation.
Scorecard metrics
Undergraduate Enrollment
- Northwestern University
- 9,201
Acceptance Rate
Median Debt at Graduation
- Northwestern University
- $15,000
Avg Net Price
- Northwestern University
- $29,167
Median Earnings (6 yr)
- Northwestern University
- $76,844
Median Earnings (10 yr)
- Northwestern University
- $89,363
Loan Repayment Rate (Completers)
- Northwestern University
- 91.3%
In-State Tuition
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
Out-of-State Tuition
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
Cards ordered by relative gap on this pair. Teal = better side.
| Metric | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NY | Northwestern University Evanston, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Location | New York, NY | Evanston, IL |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 8,973 | 9,201 |
| Acceptance Rate | 4.0% | 7.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 | $15,000 |
| Avg Net Price | $21,590 | $29,167 |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $88,535 | $76,844 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $102,491 | $89,363 |
| Loan Repayment Rate (Completers) | 83.9% | 91.3% |
| In-State Tuition | $71,845 | $68,322 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $71,845 | $68,322 |
Largest gaps: Columbia University in the City of New York vs Northwestern University
- ACCEPTANCE-RATE Columbia University in the City of New York leads on acceptance rate (4.0% vs 7.7% at Northwestern University)
- MEDIAN-DEBT-AT-GRA Northwestern University leads on median debt at graduation ($15,000 vs $21,500 at Columbia University in the City of New York)
- AVG-NET-PRICE Columbia University in the City of New York leads on avg net price ($21,590 vs $29,167 at Northwestern University)
Columbia University in the City of New York profile · Northwestern University profile · Compare other colleges
Acceptance Rate and other Scorecard questions
On acceptance rate, who leads between Columbia University in the City of New York and Northwestern University?▼
Columbia University in the City of New York leads on acceptance rate at 4.0% versus 7.7% at Northwestern University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On median debt at graduation, who leads between Columbia University in the City of New York and Northwestern University?▼
Northwestern University leads on median debt at graduation at $15,000 versus $21,500 at Columbia University in the City of New York. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On avg net price, who leads between Columbia University in the City of New York and Northwestern University?▼
Columbia University in the City of New York leads on avg net price at $21,590 versus $29,167 at Northwestern University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt); acceptance rate focus for this pair · 2025