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Northwestern University is a private research-based institution based in Evanston, Illinois, USA, with approximately 22,000 students. It is widely acclaimed for Business, Engineering, Communication, Law, Medicine, and Journalism programs. Northwestern focuses on research excellence, interdisciplinary education, and excellent career prospects, with access to strong alumni networks and industry contacts. Admissions are very competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 7%, and the graduation rate is roughly 93%. Ten years after graduation, median salaries of graduates are about USD 85,000–95,000.
University of Michigan (U-M or UMich) is a public research university based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, with about 48,000 students. It is a public Ivy and routinely places in the top 30 universities globally, with majors in Engineering, Business, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences, and Public Policy. U-M focuses on research, innovation, and leadership, with vast campus resources and industry connections. Admissions are extremely competitive, with an acceptance rate around 18%, and the graduation rate stands at around 92%. Graduates have reported a median income of around USD 80,000–90,000 a decade after graduation.
| Northwestern University | University of Michigan | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 7.3 Out of 10 | 7.5 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 42 QS World University 2026 # 15 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 31 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 45 QS World University 2026 # 16 Center for World University Rankings 2025 # 22 Times Higher Education 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 | # 11 for Engineering by US News 2025 # 32 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 19 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -64 PG Programs -55 Doctorate Programs -11 | UG Programs -37 PG Programs -87 Doctorate Programs -31 |
| Acceptance Rate | 7.0 % | 18.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-660 IELTS-7.5 SAT-1440 TOEFL-71 | GMAT-610 GRE-310 IELTS-7 PTE-68 SAT-1340 TOEFL-79 |
| 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 49350 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 21389 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 24376 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). | Average salary is 79,000 USD per annum. Annual ROI is 9.5%. Popular employers are Ford Motor, General Motors, Quicken Loans, Amazon, etc. |
| 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.) | High School score/grade should be equivalent to 2.7 GPA. Indian student's transcripts must be sent by the Controller of the examinations. Fulfill other country-specific requirements. |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Kellogg School of Management | Ross School of Business |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 8.0/10 Read 5 reviews | 8.5/10 Read 17 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 | # 13 for Business by US News 2025 # 21 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 29 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| application | #2795 Applicants # 559 Admissions # 20 % Acceptance Rate | #2989 Applicants # 421 Admissions # 14 % Acceptance Rate |
| exam scores | IELTS - 7.0/9TOEFL - 90/120 | IELTS - 7/9PTE - 70/90TOEFL - 100/120 |
| 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) | May 1, 2025 (Round 3 Decision Date For Fall 2026 Intake) Sep 8, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Dec 5, 2025 (Round 1 Decision Date For Fall 2026 Intake) Jan 5, 2026 (Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 13, 2026 (Round 2 Decision Date For Fall 2026 Intake) Mar 23, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake) Aug 31, 2026 (Tuition Payment deadline) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Northwestern University | University of Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1851 | 1817 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 6:1 | 15:1 |
| Male:Female | 47% Male, 53% Female | 52% Male, 48% 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. | Michigan is considered one of the top 10 best craft beer states of the USA. It has the fourth highest per capita GDP growth rate of 2.5%. Manufactiring sector is the highest contributor. |
| 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 | Considered as one of the top 10 academic research libraries in North America; Over 14,283,067 volumes and 291,791 serials |
| 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 | Counselling & Psychological Services; International Centre; Office of Student Conflict Resolution; Office of Student Conflict Resolution; Services for Students with Disabilities; Student Legal Services; Campus Infoormation Centers |
| Hostel | #Room & Board - $16047 #Room & Board - $16047 | #Room and Board - $15328 #Room and Board - $9048 |
| 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) | Over 36 Pulitzer Prize winners and 8 Nobel laureates; Larry Page (Google Co-founder), Gerald Ford (late US President), Arther Miller (playwright), Theodore Roethke (poet), Martha Minow (former Dean of Harvard Law School) |
| 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. | The Great Lakes State is one of the top cities to live in. It shares its border with Canada and has four out five Great Lakes. The high student population offers high cultural diversity. It is one of the cheapest midwestern states to live in. It has a food dominated nightlife with few night clubs and music locations. It has a growing tech startup community. The unemployment rate is 4.6 (2020). |
| Weather |
Northwestern University vs University of Michigan
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Northwestern University (NU): Ranked approximately 42 in the world by QS World University Rankings 2026, Northwestern has strength in Business, Law, Engineering, Communication, Arts & Humanities, and Life Sciences. .University of Michigan (UM): Ranked approximately 45 worldwide, UM is a high-performing public research university with specific excellence in Engineering, Business, Medicine, Law, Social Sciences, and Life Sciences.
General Information
NU, an Evanston, Illinois-based private university, has a student enrollment of ~22,000 and focuses on teaching in small classes, interdisciplinary concentrations, and research combined with professional preparation. UM, Ann Arbor, Michigan-based, is a large public university with ~48,000 enrolled students, a large research facilities complex, and a diverse array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
NU has very competitive admissions, generally 6–9%, with a focus on academic achievement, leadership, and holistic assessment. UM is also selective, particularly for in-state applicants in high-demand programs such as Engineering, Business, and Medicine, with rates slightly higher than NU as a whole.
Research Impact & Facilities
NU boasts excellent research facilities in the areas of Engineering, Medicine, Communication, and Social Sciences, enhanced by professional schools and innovation hubs. UM boasts state-of-the-art research infrastructure, such as laboratories, hospitals, and libraries, that facilitate high-quality research in STEM, life sciences, social sciences, and business.
Cost & Financial Aid
NU, being a private university, is more expensive but offers abundant need- and merit-based aid to both domestic and international students. UM, being public, has lower in-state tuition, merit scholarships, and aid, while out-of-state and international students pay a premium.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
NU alumni enjoy rich industry connections, especially in business, law, journalism, and technology, attaining leadership and entrepreneurial accomplishments. UM alumni enjoy an extensive alumni network and worldwide reputation, exceling in Engineering, Medicine, Business, Law, and STEM, being highly employable both at the national and international level.
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