California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) vs NorthWestern
California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and Northwestern University (NU) stand as two distinct academic institutions, each offering unique educational experiences. CIIS, a private, non-profit university in San Francisco, California, emphasizes holistic and transformative learning, with a focus on consciousness, spirituality, and social change. In contrast, NU, a private research university in Evanston, Illinois, is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, particularly in the fields of law, medicine, and business. While both universities boast impressive faculty and strong alumni networks, they differ significantly in terms of acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover which institution better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() California Institute of Integral Studies |
![]() Northwestern University |
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Overview |
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Location | San Francisco, California | Evanston, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 99.0% | |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | N/A | 7.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$65
Graduate:
$65
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Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$95
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SAT range | N/A | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | N/A | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 43.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 39.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 47,636 | |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,321 | |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,086 | |
Yield rate | 62.8% | |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | |
High school GPA | N/A | Not required |
Recommendation letters | N/A | Required |
High school transcript | N/A | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $83,838 | |
Average net price | $29,999 | |
Tuition | $60,276 | |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,271
Meal plan:
$6,993
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
57.0%
Average amount $51,087 |
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Students receiving federal student loan |
23.0%
Average amount $4,625 |
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Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $38,595 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
84
Men 19.0% Women 81.0% |
8,847
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
Graduate students |
1,749
Men 21.2% Women 78.8% |
14,562
Men 47.3% Women 52.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 3.9% | 17.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 4,409 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | N/A | 95.2% |
Dropout rate | N/A | 4.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (First Professional Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Doctoral Degrees)
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (Master's Degrees)
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems (Doctoral Degrees)
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Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (First Professional Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
Community Organization and Advocacy (Master's Degrees)
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