College comparison

NYU vs Northwestern

A side-by-side of acceptance rate, test scores, and cost — source-cited estimates, not guarantees. Want the number that actually matters for your student? Model your admit odds at each.

Metric	NYU New York, NY	Northwestern Evanston, IL
Acceptance rateNorthwestern University is more selective	9%	8%
SAT (25–75)	1480–1560	1510–1570
ACT (25–75)	—	—
Undergrad enrollment	28,663	9,201
Avg net price	$37,050	$29,167
Median earnings (10 yr)Northwestern reports higher median earnings	$82,509	$89,363
Graduation rate	88%	95%
Median debt	$20,500	$15,000
Economic mobility	3.6%	1.7%
Test policy	—	—
Type	Private (nonprofit)	Private (nonprofit)

Quick answers

Is New York University or Northwestern University harder to get into?

Northwestern University is more selective: New York University's acceptance rate is approximately 9% and Northwestern University's is approximately 8% (estimates from public and primary sources).

What SAT score do you need for New York University vs Northwestern University?

The middle-50% SAT range is 1480–1560 at New York University and 1510–1570 at Northwestern University. Scores outside these bands are still admitted, especially with strong applications.

Figures are estimates compiled from public datasets (College Scorecard / IPEDS) and primary sources; verify with each institution before relying on them.

These outputs are estimates from a baseline model — not guarantees of admission, cost, or outcome.