Northwestern University vs University of Illinois Urbana-...

Q: How do graduation rates compare between Northwestern University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

Northwestern University has a graduation rate of 96% compared to 85% at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Q: Which school has higher earnings, Northwestern University or University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign?

Northwestern University graduates earn more, with median 5-year earnings of $76,844 compared to $64,802 at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Northwestern University

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Key Metrics Compared

Official Data

Metric	Northwestern University	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Winner
Acceptance Rate	7%	44%	Northwestern University
Graduation Rate	96%	85%	Northwestern University
Avg Earnings (5yr)	$76,844	$64,802	Northwestern University
Median Debt	$15,000	$19,500	Northwestern University
Tuition (In-State)	$65,997	$16,004	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Retention Rate	97%	94%	Northwestern University
Financial Aid	19%	29%	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Comparison Analysis

Northwestern University graduates earn more than University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduates. Northwestern graduates earn $76,844, while Illinois graduates earn $64,802. Northwestern has a higher graduation rate, at 96.2%, compared to Illinois's 84.8%. Illinois has a significantly higher acceptance rate, at 43.7%, while Northwestern's acceptance rate is 7.2%.

Illinois has a much lower tuition cost. Illinois's tuition is $16,004, while Northwestern's tuition is $65,997.

The overall value proposition depends on individual priorities. Students prioritizing higher earnings and graduation rates might favor Northwestern, despite the higher tuition and lower acceptance rate. Students prioritizing lower tuition and higher acceptance rates might favor Illinois, despite the lower earnings and graduation rate.

Generated from College Scorecard & IPEDS data

Shared Programs

Shared Major	Northwestern University Earnings	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Earnings	Difference
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods	$140,444	$72,105	95% favor Northwestern University
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$224,402	$118,799	89% favor Northwestern University
Economics	$84,932	$58,921	44% favor Northwestern University
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$0	$118,799	—
Business Administration, Management and Operations	$0	$118,799	—
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods	$140,444	$72,527	94% favor Northwestern University
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods	$140,444	$0	—
Research and Experimental Psychology	$0	$33,384	—
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods	$0	$72,105	—
Economics	$0	$58,921	—

Quick Facts