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 logo

Elmhurst University

Northwestern University logo

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%
Common app member 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
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

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
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Education
  • Psychology
  • Visual & Performing Arts
  • Business
  • Communication and Journalism
  • Engineering
  • Health Professions
  • Legal Profession
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)
  • Year 1: $72,839
  • Year 2: $81,997
  • Year 3: $88,790
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $69,792
  • Year 2: $84,653
  • Year 3: $86,731
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,229
  • Year 2: $63,832
  • Year 3: $66,861
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,535
  • Year 2: $54,209
  • Year 3: $65,150
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $53,244
  • Year 2: $55,964
  • Year 3: $64,665
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $43,014
  • Year 2: $51,690
  • Year 3: $60,665
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $57,318
  • Year 3: $59,776
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,970
  • Year 2: $36,401
  • Year 3: $54,414
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $49,672
  • Year 2: $45,383
  • Year 3: $54,289
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $56,194
  • Year 2: $53,358
  • Year 3: $48,489
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $150,242
  • Year 2: $188,472
  • Year 3: $221,242
Business/Commerce, General (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $188,472
  • Year 3: $216,176
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $187,194
  • Year 2: $170,971
  • Year 3: $206,288
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $120,709
  • Year 2: $189,565
  • Year 3: $194,961
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $162,478
  • Year 2: $163,561
  • Year 3: $177,652
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $111,200
  • Year 2: $157,779
  • Year 3: $159,304
Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $140,321
  • Year 2: $141,586
  • Year 3: $154,556
Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $88,288
  • Year 2: $118,465
  • Year 3: $132,325
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $118,780
  • Year 2: $111,323
  • Year 3: $130,124
Community Organization and Advocacy (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $115,760
  • Year 2: $113,668
  • Year 3: $128,046

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