Elmhurst University vs NorthWestern
Elmhurst University and Northwestern University, two distinct institutions of higher learning, offer contrasting educational experiences. Elmhurst, a private university with a smaller student body, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a more diverse student population. Northwestern, a prestigious private research university, offers a wider range of academic programs, including highly ranked graduate schools, and attracts a more competitive applicant pool. While both universities provide a strong foundation for future careers, Elmhurst's focus on undergraduate teaching and smaller class sizes may appeal to students seeking a more personalized learning environment, while Northwestern's world-renowned reputation and extensive research opportunities may be more attractive to those seeking a highly selective and rigorous academic experience. Explore the detailed comparison table below to discover more key differences between these two esteemed universities and make an informed decision about which one aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
|
![]() Elmhurst University |
![]() Northwestern University |
---|---|---|
Overview |
||
Location | Elmhurst, Illinois | Evanston, Illinois |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 76.0% | 99.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Protestant | |
|
||
Admission |
||
Acceptance rate | 71.3% | 7.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$95
|
|
SAT range | 1013 - 1220 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 22 - 29 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 9.0% | 39.0% |
Total number of applicants | 3,762 | 47,636 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,682 | 3,321 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 531 | 2,086 |
Yield rate | 19.8% | 62.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
|
||
Tuition and Fees |
||
Sticker price | $55,536 | $83,838 |
Average net price | $24,018 | $29,999 |
Tuition | $39,100 | $60,276 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,428
Meal plan:
$4,544
|
Room/dormitory:
$11,271
Meal plan:
$6,993
|
Available payment plans |
|
|
|
||
Financial Aid |
||
Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $25,993 |
57.0%
Average amount $51,087 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
65.0%
Average amount $5,287 |
23.0%
Average amount $4,625 |
Students taking out private loans |
9.0%
Average amount $15,454 |
2.0%
Average amount $38,595 |
|
||
Students and Campus |
||
Undergraduate students |
2,914
Men 38.5% Women 61.5% |
8,847
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
Graduate students |
604
Men 33.8% Women 66.2% |
14,562
Men 47.3% Women 52.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 2.2% | 17.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 964 | 4,409 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | N/A | N/A |
|
||
Academics |
||
Popular study areas |
|
|
Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
|
||
Outcome |
||
Graduation rate | 68.4% | 95.2% |
Dropout rate | 31.6% | 4.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
|
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)
|
Compare Similar Colleges
The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing
statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you
don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page.
There, you can search for the
specific colleges and initiate your comparison.












































































































































