Location
- Northeastern University
- Boston, MA
- Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
Northeastern University vs Northwestern University
Boston, MA · Evanston, IL · largest Scorecard gap: median debt at graduation
Scorecard match plate
Pair MA:IL
PRIVATE-NP-PAIR · CROSS-STATE · ACCEPT-TIGHT · NET-PAR · EARN-PAR · DEBT-SPLIT · COMPLETE-HIGH · GAP-DEBT
- PRIVATE-NP-PAIR Private nonprofit pair
- CROSS-STATE MA × IL
- ACCEPT-TIGHT Tight admission
- NET-PAR Net near-par
- EARN-PAR Earnings near-par
- DEBT-SPLIT Debt split
- COMPLETE-HIGH High completion
- GAP-DEBT Largest gap · Median Debt at Graduation
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.
- Northeastern University: enrollment grew +19.0% over 2013–2023; fitted +303 students/yr fitted, r² 0.84.
- Northwestern University: enrollment ranged 8,401–8,960 (2013–2023, 11 points) without a stable fitted direction.
- Northeastern University: acceptance rate tightened -82.5% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.89).
- 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
- Northeastern University
- 17,326
- Northwestern University
- 9,201
Median Debt at Graduation
- Northeastern University
- $24,250
- Northwestern University
- $15,000
Acceptance Rate
Avg Net Price
- Northeastern University
- $30,915
- Northwestern University
- $29,167
150%-Time Completion
- Northeastern University
- 90.5%
- Northwestern University
- 95.5%
Loan Repayment Rate (Completers)
- Northeastern University
- 86.7%
- Northwestern University
- 91.3%
Median Earnings (10 yr)
- Northeastern University
- $92,538
- Northwestern University
- $89,363
In-State Tuition
- Northeastern University
- $66,162
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
Out-of-State Tuition
- Northeastern University
- $66,162
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
Cards ordered by relative gap on this pair. Teal = better side.
| Metric | Northeastern University Boston, MA | Northwestern University Evanston, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Boston, MA | Evanston, IL |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 17,326 | 9,201 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $24,250 | $15,000 |
| Acceptance Rate | 5.2% | 7.7% |
| Avg Net Price | $30,915 | $29,167 |
| 150%-Time Completion | 90.5% | 95.5% |
| Loan Repayment Rate (Completers) | 86.7% | 91.3% |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $92,538 | $89,363 |
| In-State Tuition | $66,162 | $68,322 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $66,162 | $68,322 |
Largest gaps: Northeastern University vs Northwestern University
- MEDIAN-DEBT-AT-GRA Northwestern University leads on median debt at graduation ($15,000 vs $24,250 at Northeastern University)
- ACCEPTANCE-RATE Northeastern University leads on acceptance rate (5.2% vs 7.7% at Northwestern University)
- AVG-NET-PRICE Northwestern University leads on avg net price ($29,167 vs $30,915 at Northeastern University)
Northeastern University profile · Northwestern University profile · Compare other colleges
Median Debt at Graduation and other Scorecard questions
On median debt at graduation, who leads between Northeastern University and Northwestern University?▼
Northwestern University leads on median debt at graduation at $15,000 versus $24,250 at Northeastern University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On acceptance rate, who leads between Northeastern University and Northwestern University?▼
Northeastern University leads on acceptance rate at 5.2% versus 7.7% at Northwestern University. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On avg net price, who leads between Northeastern University and Northwestern University?▼
Northwestern University leads on avg net price at $29,167 versus $30,915 at Northeastern 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 debt at graduation focus for this pair · 2025