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College Comparison

Northwestern University vs Auburn University: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

School

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricNorthwesternAuburn
Acceptance Rate7.1%wins50.5%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1490–1560wins1240–1380
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35wins25–31
Tuition (Out-of-State)$65,997$33,944wins
Avg Net Price$27,143$23,897wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$89,363wins$65,337
Graduation Rate95.9%wins79.2%
Retention Rate97.4%wins93.2%
Student–Faculty Ratio6:1wins21:1
Total Enrollment8,96025,732wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Northwestern edges out Auburn on 7 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Northwestern Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 7.1%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1490–1560
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–35
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $89,363

Auburn Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $33,944
  • Avg Net Price: $23,897
  • Total Enrollment: 25,732

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