Location
- Cornell University
- Ithaca, NY
- Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
Cornell University vs Northwestern University
Ithaca, NY · Evanston, IL · largest Scorecard gap: median earnings (10 yr)
Scorecard match plate
Pair NY:IL
PRIVATE-NP-PAIR · CROSS-STATE · ACCEPT-TIGHT · NET-PAR · EARN-SPLIT · DEBT-PAR · COMPLETE-HIGH · GAP-EARN
- PRIVATE-NP-PAIR Private nonprofit pair
- CROSS-STATE NY × IL
- ACCEPT-TIGHT Tight admission
- NET-PAR Net near-par
- EARN-SPLIT Earnings split
- DEBT-PAR Debt near-par
- COMPLETE-HIGH High completion
- GAP-EARN Largest gap · Median Earnings (10 yr)
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.
- Cornell University: enrollment grew +11.4% over 2013–2023; fitted +168 students/yr fitted, r² 0.87.
- Northwestern University: enrollment ranged 8,401–8,960 (2013–2023, 11 points) without a stable fitted direction.
- Cornell University: acceptance rate tightened -47.6% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.94).
- 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
- Cornell University
- 15,995
- Northwestern University
- 9,201
Median Earnings (10 yr)
- Cornell University
- $104,043
- Northwestern University
- $89,363
Median Earnings (6 yr)
- Cornell University
- $87,830
- Northwestern University
- $76,844
Acceptance Rate
- Cornell University
- 8.8%
Median Debt at Graduation
- Cornell University
- $14,000
- Northwestern University
- $15,000
Avg Net Price
- Cornell University
- $28,690
- Northwestern University
- $29,167
In-State Tuition
- Cornell University
- $69,314
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
Out-of-State Tuition
- Cornell University
- $69,314
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
Loan Repayment Rate (Completers)
- Cornell University
- 90.5%
- Northwestern University
- 91.3%
Cards ordered by relative gap on this pair. Teal = better side.
| Metric | Cornell University Ithaca, NY | Northwestern University Evanston, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Ithaca, NY | Evanston, IL |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 15,995 | 9,201 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $104,043 | $89,363 |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $87,830 | $76,844 |
| Acceptance Rate | 8.8% | 7.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,000 | $15,000 |
| Avg Net Price | $28,690 | $29,167 |
| In-State Tuition | $69,314 | $68,322 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $69,314 | $68,322 |
| Loan Repayment Rate (Completers) | 90.5% | 91.3% |
Largest gaps: Cornell University vs Northwestern University
- MEDIAN-EARNINGS-(1 Cornell University leads on median earnings (10 yr) ($104,043 vs $89,363 at Northwestern University)
- MEDIAN-EARNINGS-(6 Cornell University leads on median earnings (6 yr) ($87,830 vs $76,844 at Northwestern University)
- ACCEPTANCE-RATE Northwestern University leads on acceptance rate (7.7% vs 8.8% at Cornell University)
Cornell University profile · Northwestern University profile · Compare other colleges
Also on the Scorecard board
Median Earnings (10 yr) and other Scorecard questions
On median earnings (10 yr), who leads between Cornell University and Northwestern University?▼
Cornell University leads on median earnings (10 yr) at $104,043 versus $89,363 at Northwestern University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On median earnings (6 yr), who leads between Cornell University and Northwestern University?▼
Cornell University leads on median earnings (6 yr) at $87,830 versus $76,844 at Northwestern University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On acceptance rate, who leads between Cornell University and Northwestern University?▼
Northwestern University leads on acceptance rate at 7.7% versus 8.8% at Cornell University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt); median earnings (10 yr) focus for this pair · 2025