Skip to content
CollegeRanker

Compare

Northwestern University vs Villanova University

46 data points compared. Stronger value in each row highlighted. Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS.

26
Northwestern Wins
9
Tied / N/A
11
Villanova Wins

Overview

Private nonprofit
Type
Private nonprofit
Urban
Setting
Suburban
Great Lakes
Region
Mid-Atlantic
9,201
Enrollment
6,938
No
HBCU
No

Admissions

8%
Acceptance Rate
27%
1533
SAT Average
1460
35
ACT Midpoint
33
1510-1570
SAT Range
1395-1510

Cost & Financial Aid

$68,322
In-State Tuition
$67,776
$68,322
Out-of-State Tuition
$67,776
$29,167
Average Net Price
$43,756
$1,764
Net Price ($0-30K income)
$17,823
$6,099
Net Price ($30-48K)
$16,496
$7,898
Net Price ($48-75K)
$20,923
$48,777
Net Price ($110K+)
$58,741
19%
Pell Grant Rate
12%
17%
Federal Loan Rate
35%

Academics

96%
Graduation Rate
92%
98%
Retention Rate
95%
83%
Full-Time Faculty
63%
$20,322
Faculty Salary (monthly)
$13,825
15%
First-Gen Students
13%

Student Body

52%
Female
58%
31%
White
68%
16%
Hispanic
11%
8%
Black
6%
21%
Asian
7%
0.81
Diversity Index
0.52

Outcomes

$76,844
Earnings (6yr)
$84,905
$83,487
Earnings (8yr)
$94,574
$89,363
Earnings (10yr)
$100,423
$15,000
Median Debt
$25,874
0.17x
Debt-to-Earnings
0.26x
85%
Earning Above HS
89%

Social Mobility (Chetty)

169.42%
Mobility Rate
131.82%
5518.6%
Success Rate (bottom 20%)
5804.0%
307.0%
From Bottom 20%
227.1%
$168,500
Parent Median Income
$159,900

Social Capital

1.83
Economic Connectedness
1.84
0.01
Friending Bias
0.01
11.3%
Volunteering Rate
5.0%

Research (Times HE)

#25
World Rank
N/A
64.5
Teaching Score
N/A
68.8
Research Score
N/A
95.3
Citations Score
N/A

The Overviews

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit

8% accept 96% grad $89,363 earnings $29,167 net

Northwestern University has an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating strong student support and academic success. This high rate reflects the university’s commitment to helping students complete their degrees on time. With an acceptance rate of just 8%, gaining admission is highly competitive, attracting top talent from across the country.

The earnings potential for graduates is significant, with a 10-year median income of $89,363. This figure suggests that students who attend Northwestern can expect a strong return on their investment. However, 19% of students receive Pell Grants, which highlights that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, yet still have the opportunity to thrive here.

The net price for attending Northwestern is $29,167, and the median debt is relatively low at $15,000, making it more manageable for graduates. Students who excel here often pursue majors in engineering, social sciences, and communications. Those who thrive at Northwestern are typically motivated and high-achieving individuals, ready to engage in a challenging academic environment.

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit

27% accept 92% grad $100,423 earnings $43,756 net

At Villanova University, students can expect a tight-knit campus environment with an enrollment of just under 7,000. This university is a great fit for those pursuing degrees in Business and Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it attracts motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies and community.

Looking ahead, graduates from Villanova see impressive outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $100,423, which speaks volumes about the value of a Villanova degree in today’s job market. The school's strong graduation rate of 92% indicates that students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, setting them up for success in their chosen fields.

When it comes to the financial side, the net price after financial aid is $43,756, which is important to consider alongside the median debt level of $25,874. This suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities effectively. Those who thrive here are often driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the resources Villanova offers to propel their careers forward.

Sponsored

Compare Accredited Programs Accepting Applicants

Matched to high-demand fields — request info, free.

Ad