Head-to-Head Comparison
Northwestern University vs Washington University in St Louis
- Northwestern Wins
- 27
- Tied
- 12
- Washington St Wins
- 15
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Washington University in St Louis offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Northwestern University achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 94%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $29,167 compared to Washington University in St Louis's $21,786 for in-state paths. Students who choose Washington University in St Louis benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $86,182 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Northwestern
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,363 ten years after enrollment, 4% more than Washington University in St Louis
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 1.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 8% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #25
Washington St
- Lower cost: Average net price of $21,786, roughly $7,381 a year less
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Northwestern graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (16% of degrees); Washington St in Engineering (14%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick Northwestern University over Washington University in St Louis. Median earnings of $89,363 ten years after enrollment vs $86,182.
Pick Washington University in St Louis over Northwestern University. Net price $21,786 vs $29,167.
Pick Northwestern University over Washington University in St Louis. THE World Rank #25 vs #38.
Pick Northwestern University over Washington University in St Louis. 1.7% mobility rate vs 1%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Northwestern University and Washington University in St Louis are close on paper, but Northwestern University wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Northwestern University is the harder admit. It takes 8% of applicants, while Washington University in St Louis takes 12%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,533 to 1,530.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Northwestern University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Washington University in St Louis comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $21,786, about $7,381 a year below Northwestern University's $29,167. Graduates of Northwestern University also borrow less: median debt of $15,000, against $17,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $29,524 before any change in aid. Choosing Washington University in St Louis leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Northwestern University graduates report median earnings of $89,363, compared with $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis. That is a 4% advantage. Set against borrowing, Northwestern University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 4% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
Northwestern University does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 1.7%; at Washington University in St Louis, it is 1%. Northwestern University also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 3.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, Northwestern University offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Northwestern University sits higher, at #25 versus #38.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Washington University in St Louis to keep costs and debt down; pick Northwestern University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Washington University in St Louis saves about $7,381 a year, yet Northwestern University graduates earn $3,181 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. Northwestern University concentrates enrollment in Communications, while Washington University in St Louis leans toward Biology & Biomedical. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $29,167 runs well above Washington University in St Louis's $21,786.
- Engineering-focused students: Washington University in St Louis has the stronger engineering programs.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $17,500, against $15,000 at Northwestern University.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Northwestern holds onto its admits more tightly: 55% of admitted students enroll, versus 48% at Washington St — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at Washington St (27.0% Early Decision admit rate vs 23.0%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit
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.
Washington University in St Louis
St. Louis, MO · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 12%, Washington University in St. Louis attracts driven students looking for a rigorous academic environment. It’s a great fit for those interested in fields like engineering, biology, social sciences, computer science, and business. The graduation rate of 94% reflects a supportive community that helps students succeed and achieve their goals.
Life after graduation looks promising, with alumni reporting an average earnings of $86,182 ten years out. This figure highlights the potential for financial stability in a variety of career paths. While nearly 18% of students receive Pell Grants, the school’s commitment to affordability helps ensure that students from different economic backgrounds can thrive.
On the financial side, the net price after aid stands at $21,786, and the median debt for graduates is $17,500. This manageable debt load suggests that students here often leave school with a solid foundation for their financial futures. Those who tend to thrive are often self-motivated and eager to engage deeply with their studies and the campus community.
Rankings They Appear On
Northwestern University is featured on the Best Colleges for Communications ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Northwestern's top program is Sociology (16% of enrollment), while Washington St leads with Mechanical Engineering (14%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Northwestern) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Washington St).
The two schools feed different job markets. Northwestern University is strongest in Communications, Computer Science & IT, while Washington University in St Louis concentrates in Biology & Biomedical, Business & Marketing. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Northwestern University or Washington University in St Louis?
Northwestern University is harder to get into, admitting 8% of applicants compared with 12% at Washington University in St Louis.
Which is more affordable, Northwestern University or Washington University in St Louis?
Washington University in St Louis is more affordable, with an average net price of $21,786 after aid versus $29,167 at Northwestern University.
Do Northwestern University or Washington University in St Louis graduates earn more?
Northwestern University graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,363 ten years after enrollment, versus $86,182 at Washington University in St Louis.
Which has a better graduation rate, Northwestern University or Washington University in St Louis?
Northwestern University has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 94%.
Northwestern University vs Washington University in St Louis: which is better for social mobility?
Northwestern University is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 1.7% versus 1%.
Should you choose Northwestern University or Washington University in St Louis?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Washington University in St Louis if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Northwestern University if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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