NorthWestern vs Baylor
Northwestern University and Baylor University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Northwestern, a private research university in Evanston, Illinois, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 9.1%. Baylor, a private Christian university in Waco, Texas, offers a more accessible admissions process with an acceptance rate of 48.7%. Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with Northwestern excelling in fields like engineering, economics, and computer science, while Baylor is renowned for its strengths in business, nursing, and education. The student bodies at these universities reflect their unique identities: Northwestern's student body is predominantly white and affluent, while Baylor's student body is more diverse, with a significant proportion of students from religious backgrounds. With graduation rates of 91% and 78% respectively, both universities ensure that their students are well-prepared for successful careers. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to discover more about these two exceptional universities and
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![]() Baylor University |
![]() Northwestern University |
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Overview |
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Location | Waco, Texas | Evanston, Illinois |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | 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 | 88.0% | 99.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Baptist | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 56.7% | 7.0% |
Application fees | $50 |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$95
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SAT range | 1160 - 1350 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 25 - 32 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 39.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 31.0% | 39.0% |
Total number of applicants | 36,588 | 47,636 |
Total number of admissions given out | 20,741 | 3,321 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,271 | 2,086 |
Yield rate | 20.6% | 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) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $68,150 | $83,838 |
Average net price | $46,039 | $29,999 |
Tuition | $50,232 | $60,276 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$7,200
Meal plan:
$6,074
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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) |
96.0%
Average amount $21,460 |
57.0%
Average amount $51,087 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
38.0%
Average amount $5,411 |
23.0%
Average amount $4,625 |
Students taking out private loans |
12.0%
Average amount $26,787 |
2.0%
Average amount $38,595 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
15,191
Men 39.8% Women 60.2% |
8,847
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
Graduate students |
5,435
Men 34.4% Women 65.6% |
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 | 43.4% | N/A |
International students | 4.2% | 17.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,321 | 4,409 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Texas California Colorado Illinois Washington | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 16:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 81.6% | 95.2% |
Dropout rate | 18.2% | 4.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business/Commerce, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's 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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