| Updated On - Sep 11, 2025
Northwestern University is a top private research university in Evanston, Illinois, USA. It is a mid-sized university with around 8,000 undergraduate students. Admissions are highly competitive and have an overall acceptance rate of around 7%. Some of the most popular majors are Engineering, Communication, Economics, Psychology, and Political Science. The six-year graduation rate is around 94%, and Northwestern alumni receive a median starting salary of around INR 15,50,000 (around $19,800 median income ten years post-graduation).
University of Chicago is a top-tier private research university located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is a mid-sized university with around 6,800 undergraduate students. Admissions are very competitive, with an overall acceptance rate of around 5.4%. Popular majors are Economics, Political Science, Mathematics, Biological Sciences, and History. The six-year graduation rate is around 93%, and Chicago alumni have a median starting salary of around INR 16,00,000 (approx. $20,500 median income ten years after graduation).
| Northwestern University | University of Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 7.3 Out of 10 | 8.4 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 30 Times Higher Education 2026 # 42 QS World University 2026 # 15 Center for World University Rankings 2025 | # 13 QS World University 2026 # 15 Times Higher Education 2026 # 10 Center for World University Rankings 2025 |
| Subject Strength | # 16 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 42 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 | # 132 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 28 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 34 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -64 PG Programs -55 Doctorate Programs -11 | UG Programs -36 PG Programs -31 Doctorate Programs -9 |
| Acceptance Rate | 7.0 % | 5.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-660 IELTS-7.5 SAT-1440 TOEFL-71 | GMAT-570 IELTS-7 SAT-1080 TOEFL-80 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 56286 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 66912 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 32094 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 56034 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 72000 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 29000 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | 95% graduates employed within 6 months of graduation. Average annual salary of 82,000 USD; Top recruiters- United Airlines, Inc., IBM, Abbott Laboratories, Abbvie Inc. Highest paid degrees- Executive MBA (200,000 USD); MBA (160,000 USD); Executive Masters (125,000 USD); LLM (120,000 USD); Master of Arts (55,000 USD). | University of Chicago is one of the top private universities in Chicago, United States. It is ranked #10 in QS World University Rankings 2023. Top recruiters include McKinsey & Company Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Google LLC, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Accenture, Deloitte Consulting LLP etc
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| application requirements | Counselor recommendation; 1 Teacher recommendation; Standardized test scores; English proficiency scores; 2-3 LORs; SOP; Resume; Additional documents (audition; portfolio; research paper, etc.) | Transcripts, English proficiency scores, Supplemental essays, teacher evaluation, GMAT/ GRE scores, Supplemental material (art work, research papers, etc.) |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Kellogg School of Management | University of Chicago Booth School of Business |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.0/10 Read 5 reviews | 7.6/10 Read 5 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 2 for Business by US News 2025 # 16 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 17 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 9 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 17 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 90/120 | Duolingo - 135/160IELTS - 7/9PTE - 70/90TOEFL - 104/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -86370 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - |
| Return on Investment/Average Package | #Average Salary186438 | #Average Salary |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Sep 10, 2025 (Application Deadline for Round 1) Jan 7, 2026 (Application Deadline for Round 2) Apr 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Round 3) | Sep 16, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Dec 4, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Jan 6, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Mar 26, 2026 (Round 2 Decision Date For 2026 Intake) Mar 26, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For 2026 Intake) Apr 2, 2026 (Round 3 Decision Date For 2026 Intake) |
| ranking | # 27 for Computer Science by US News 2025 # 85 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 # 118 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 | # 27 for Computer Science by US News 2025 # 40 for Computer Science by Times Higher Education 2025 # 50 for Computer Science by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | Duolingo - 90/160IELTS - 6.5/9SAT - 1460/1600TOEFL - 80/120 | IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 54/90TOEFL - 100/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -56286 | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -67446 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Jan 2, 2025 (Application Deadline For 2025 Intake) | May 1, 2025 (Students Reply Due Date of Early Action & Regular Decision for Fall 2025 Intake) Nov 1, 2025 (Early Action And Early Decision 1 Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Jan 6, 2026 (Early Decision 2 And Regular Decision Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Northwestern University | University of Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1851 | 1890 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 6:1 | 6:1 |
| Male:Female | 47% Male, 53% Female | 48% Male, 52% Female |
| Location Facts | 2 campuses that are 12 miles apart; Main campus is a 240-acre campus along the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston, while law, medical, professional and Northwestern Memorial Hospital is located in downtown Chicago in Streeterville; Close to Magnificent Mile, the Museum of Contemporary Art and John Hancock Center. | A 217 acres campus located in Chicago's Hyde Park and Woodlawn neighborhood eight miles of downtown Chicago. |
| Library | Northwestern University Libraries is a collection of 7,918,603 of total prints and volumes; 304 TB of digital content; 228,505 maps; 142,133 audio files; 125,052 graphic images; 100,560 films and videos; 27,336 linear feet of archives and manuscripts; 107,446 print journals and 173.089 electronic journals | UChicago Library System is the 10th largest academic library in North America comprising 6 libraries. Contains a total of 11.9 million volumes, 65,330 ft. of archives and manuscripts and 245 TB of digital archives. |
| Campus Life | Intercampus shuttle runs between the Evanston and downtown Chicago campuses; Technological Institute; Pick-Staiger Concert Hall; Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art | Famous campus attractions include UChicago's Metallurgical Laboratory, University of Chicago Press (largest university press in USA), Cobb Lecture Hall, Rockefeller Chapel, Gerald Ratner Athletics Center. UChicago also has over 400 Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs). |
| Hostel | #Room & Board - $16047 #Room & Board - $16047 | #Housing and Food(4 Quarters) - $29000 |
| Famous Alumni | 19 Nobel Prize laureates, 23 National Medal of Science winners; 11 National Humanities Medal recipients; 1 Fields Medalist; 10 living billionaires; 84 members of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; 2 Supreme Court Justices; George McGovern (U.S. Senator and presidential candidate), George J. Stigler (Economist), Saul Bellow (Novelist), Ned Rorem (Composer), David Schwimmer (Actor); Meghan Markle (the Duchess of Sussex), Pharrell Williams (Musician) | University boasts of about 182,000 alumni. 100 Nobel laureates, 4 Turning Award winners, 54 Rhodes Scholars, 26 Marshall Scholars, 9 Field Medalists, 52 MacArthur Fellows, 25 Pulitzer Prize winners, 20 National Humanities Medalists, 16 Billionaire graduates. Edwin Hubble (American astronomer), Bernie Sanders (US Senator), Milton Friedman (American economist), Satya Nadella (CEO of Microsoft), Larry Ellison (Founder of Oracle Corporation) |
| City Life | Evanston is a city in Cook County, Illinois; situated 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, Wilmette to the north, and Skokie to the west. Northwestern University is one of the top recruiters in the city. Evanston is considered a thriving business economy and has public lakefront recreation activities. The unemployment rate was 3.7% in March 2020. | Chicago is the 3rd most populous city, 3rd largest gross metropolitan product and 2nd largest central business district in USA. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan. Home to several Fortune 500 companies (such as Boeing, McDonald's, Walgreens, Kraft Heinz, etc.). Famous landmarks include Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Science and Industry, Navy Pier, etc. |
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Northwestern University vs University of Chicago
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Northwestern University and the University of Chicago are among the United States' most elite private universities, with a legacy of academic and research excellence. Chicago stands at 13th in the world and Northwestern at 42nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings place Chicago at 14th, and Northwestern at 31st. As per the US News Global Rankings 2026, Northwestern is at number 6, and University of Chicago is at number 11. Both institutions rank among the top in the world in terms of research, especially in economics, social sciences, business, law, and the sciences, with Chicago frequently hailed for its hard-nosed theoretical and empirical research and Northwestern renowned for interdisciplinary cooperation and ingenuity.
General Information
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, is a large private research university renowned for its cross-disciplinary approach with a strong suite of business, journalism, engineering, law, and arts programs. The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, is internationally renowned for its intellectual intensity, with a particular emphasis on economics, social sciences, law, and theoretical research. Both have an active academic environment, with extensive libraries, research institutes, and an extensive international student population.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Northwestern University and the University of Chicago are among the United States' most elite private universities, with a legacy of academic and research excellence. Chicago stands at 13th in the world and Northwestern at 42nd in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings place Chicago at 14th, and Northwestern at 31st. As per the US News Global Rankings 2026, Northwestern is at number 6, and University of Chicago is at number 11. Both institutions rank among the top in the world in terms of research, especially in economics, social sciences, business, law, and the sciences, with Chicago frequently hailed for its hard-nosed theoretical and empirical research and Northwestern renowned for interdisciplinary cooperation and ingenuity.
Research Impact & Facilities
The University of Chicago is renowned for its influential research productivity, especially in law, economics, and social sciences, with several Nobel Prize-winning professors and prestigious research centers. Northwestern University is also significantly research-oriented, with significant contributions in materials science, journalism, engineering, and medicine, featuring cutting-edge laboratories, research centers, and interdisciplinary collaborative programs.
Cost & Financial Aid
Both universities are private and have high tuition fees, generally ranging from $55,000 to $65,000 per year. However, they offer generous need-based and merit-based financial aid programs, particularly targeting international students and high-achieving domestic students, making them accessible to talented students from diverse financial backgrounds.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Both universities have graduates with outstanding career prospects, often going on to serve in the leading global corporations, academia, public sector, and international research institutions. The University of Chicago is particularly well represented in economics, finance, law, and policy-making, with a high percentage of graduates going into academia, government, or international bodies. Northwestern boasts a high-standing reputation in media, business, engineering, and law, with numerous alumni succeeding in leadership positions within industries and deep links to both entrepreneurial and corporate worlds.
Both institutions possess powerful and extensive alumni networks, offering robust professional networks throughout the globe.
