Location
- University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- Northwestern University
- Evanston, IL
University of Southern California vs Northwestern University
Los Angeles, CA · Evanston, IL · largest Scorecard gap: acceptance rate
Scorecard match plate
Pair CA:IL
PRIVATE-NP-PAIR · CROSS-STATE · ACCEPT-TIGHT · NET-SPLIT · EARN-PAR · DEBT-SPLIT · COMPLETE-HIGH · GAP-ACCEPT
- PRIVATE-NP-PAIR Private nonprofit pair
- CROSS-STATE CA × IL
- ACCEPT-TIGHT Tight admission
- NET-SPLIT Net-price split
- EARN-PAR Earnings near-par
- 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.
- University of Southern California: enrollment grew +15.1% over 2013–2023; fitted +285 students/yr fitted, r² 0.94.
- Northwestern University: enrollment ranged 8,401–8,960 (2013–2023, 11 points) without a stable fitted direction.
- University of Southern California: acceptance rate tightened -49.5% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.80).
- 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
Loan Repayment Rate (Completers)
- Northwestern University
- 91.3%
In-State Tuition
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
Out-of-State Tuition
- Northwestern University
- $68,322
150%-Time Completion
- Northwestern University
- 95.5%
Median Earnings (10 yr)
- Northwestern University
- $89,363
Cards ordered by relative gap on this pair. Teal = better side.
| Metric | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | Northwestern University Evanston, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles, CA | Evanston, IL |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 20,443 | 9,201 |
| Acceptance Rate | 9.8% | 7.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,000 | $15,000 |
| Avg Net Price | $32,740 | $29,167 |
| Loan Repayment Rate (Completers) | 83.9% | 91.3% |
| In-State Tuition | $72,097 | $68,322 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $72,097 | $68,322 |
| 150%-Time Completion | 91.9% | 95.5% |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $92,498 | $89,363 |
Largest gaps: University of Southern California vs Northwestern University
- ACCEPTANCE-RATE Northwestern University leads on acceptance rate (7.7% vs 9.8% at University of Southern California)
- MEDIAN-DEBT-AT-GRA Northwestern University leads on median debt at graduation ($15,000 vs $18,000 at University of Southern California)
- AVG-NET-PRICE Northwestern University leads on avg net price ($29,167 vs $32,740 at University of Southern California)
University of Southern California profile · Northwestern University profile · Compare other colleges
Acceptance Rate and other Scorecard questions
On acceptance rate, who leads between University of Southern California and Northwestern University?▼
Northwestern University leads on acceptance rate at 7.7% versus 9.8% at University of Southern California. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On median debt at graduation, who leads between University of Southern California and Northwestern University?▼
Northwestern University leads on median debt at graduation at $15,000 versus $18,000 at University of Southern California. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On avg net price, who leads between University of Southern California and Northwestern University?▼
Northwestern University leads on avg net price at $29,167 versus $32,740 at University of Southern California. 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