Franklin W Olin College of Engineering vs NorthWestern
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering and Northwestern University, two esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences for aspiring engineers. Olin, a small, private college, boasts a highly selective admissions process with an acceptance rate of 14%, while Northwestern, a larger, private research university, has a more accessible acceptance rate of 9%. Olin's focus on engineering is reflected in its curriculum, which emphasizes hands-on learning and project-based coursework, while Northwestern offers a broader range of academic programs, including engineering, liberal arts, and business. Both institutions attract talented students, with Olin's student body comprising 52% male and 48% female students, and Northwestern's student body comprising 51% male and 49% female students. While Olin's graduation rate stands at an impressive 93%, Northwestern's graduation rate is slightly lower at 91%. To help you make an informed decision about your academic journey, we present a comprehensive
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![]() Franklin W Olin College of Engineering |
![]() Northwestern University |
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Overview |
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Location | Needham, Massachusetts | 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 | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 100.0% | 99.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 18.0% | 7.0% |
Application fees | $85 |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$95
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SAT range | 1490 - 1580 | 1470 - 1570 |
ACT range | 34 - 35 | 34 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 41.0% | 43.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 23.0% | 39.0% |
Total number of applicants | 907 | 47,636 |
Total number of admissions given out | 163 | 3,321 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 91 | 2,086 |
Yield rate | 55.8% | 62.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | 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 | $73,649 | $83,838 |
Average net price | $36,494 | $29,999 |
Tuition | $55,612 | $60,276 |
Room & board | $17,984 |
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) |
100.0%
Average amount $38,069 |
57.0%
Average amount $51,087 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
23.0%
Average amount $4,382 |
23.0%
Average amount $4,625 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $33,500 |
2.0%
Average amount $38,595 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
382
Men 47.9% Women 52.1% |
8,847
Men 46.1% Women 53.9% |
Graduate students | N/A |
14,562
Men 47.3% Women 52.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 8.4% | 17.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 363 | 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 |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 8:1 | 6:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 97.4% | 95.2% |
Dropout rate | 2.6% | 4.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications 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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