Skip to content

College Comparison

Northwestern University vs Tulane 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

Tulane University

New Orleans, LA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricNorthwesternTulane
Acceptance Rate7.1%wins14.6%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1490–1560wins1390–1510
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35wins31–33
Tuition (Out-of-State)$65,997$65,538wins
Avg Net Price$27,143wins$43,939
Median Earnings (10 yr)$89,363wins$63,268
Graduation Rate95.9%wins88.9%
Retention Rate97.4%wins94.4%
Student–Faculty Ratio6:1wins8:1
Total Enrollment8,960wins7,759

Verdict

Based on the data above, Northwestern edges out Tulane on 9 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
  • Avg Net Price: $27,143

Tulane Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $65,538

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons