Location
- Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
- Cornell University
- Ithaca, NY
Northwestern University vs Cornell University
Evanston, IL · Ithaca, NY · largest Scorecard gap: median earnings (10 yr)
Scorecard match plate
Pair IL:NY
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 IL × NY
- 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.
- Northwestern University: acceptance rate tightened -53.3% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.86).
- Cornell University: acceptance rate tightened -47.6% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.94).
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
- Cornell University
- 15,995
Median Earnings (10 yr)
- Northwestern University
- $89,363
- Cornell University
- $104,043
Median Earnings (6 yr)
- Northwestern University
- $76,844
- Cornell University
- $87,830
Acceptance Rate
- Cornell University
- 8.8%
Median Debt at Graduation
- Northwestern University
- $15,000
- Cornell University
- $14,000
Avg Net Price
- Northwestern University
- $29,167
- Cornell University
- $28,690
In-State Tuition
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
- Cornell University
- $69,314
Out-of-State Tuition
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
- Cornell University
- $69,314
Loan Repayment Rate (Completers)
- Northwestern University
- 91.3%
- Cornell University
- 90.5%
Cards ordered by relative gap on this pair. Teal = better side.
| Metric | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Cornell University Ithaca, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Evanston, IL | Ithaca, NY |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 9,201 | 15,995 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $89,363 | $104,043 |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $76,844 | $87,830 |
| Acceptance Rate | 7.7% | 8.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 | $14,000 |
| Avg Net Price | $29,167 | $28,690 |
| In-State Tuition | $68,322 | $69,314 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $68,322 | $69,314 |
| Loan Repayment Rate (Completers) | 91.3% | 90.5% |
Largest gaps: Northwestern University vs Cornell 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)
Northwestern University profile · Cornell 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 Northwestern University and Cornell 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 Northwestern University and Cornell 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 Northwestern University and Cornell 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