Head-to-head · 2026
Northwestern University vs University of Chicago
Compare average net price ($29,167 at Northwestern University; $14,860 at University of Chicago), ROI score (7.66 vs 15.46), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($89,363 vs $91,885), and admissions selectivity (7.7% acceptance at Northwestern University; 4.5% at University of Chicago) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Northwestern University | University of Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.66 | 15.46 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $29,167 | $14,860 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $116,668 | $59,440 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $68,322 | $70,662 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $68,322 | $70,662 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $89,363 | $91,885 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | 7.7% | 4.5% |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 95.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 98.1% | 99.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Enrollment | 9,201 | 7,569 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1533 | 1554 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Northwestern University | University of Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $1,764 | -$1,264 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,099 | $914 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,898 | $226 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,282 | $12,602 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $48,777 | $48,524 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Northwestern University | University of Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 17.2% | 17.2% |
| Economics | 4.3% | 10.2% |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 7.1% | 0.2% |
| Computer Science | 2.1% | 4.3% |
| Law | 3% | 2.9% |
| Statistics | 0.8% | 4.8% |
| Public Policy Analysis | 0.5% | 4.8% |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 3.6% | 1.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Chicago reports the lower average net price by $14,307 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $57,228 difference over four years ($59,440 vs $116,668).
University of Chicago reports $2,522 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($91,885 vs $89,363). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98.1% at Northwestern University and 99.3% at University of Chicago. Median federal debt among completers is $15,000 vs $15,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Northwestern University vs University of Chicago, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Chicago is cheaper — average net price $14,860 per year vs $29,167 at Northwestern University. The annual difference of $14,307 adds up to about $57,228 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Chicago reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $91,885 vs $89,363 at Northwestern University. The gap in the federal data is $2,522. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
University of Chicago is more selective at 4.5% acceptance vs 7.7% at Northwestern University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.