Northwestern University vs Penn State

Compare two rival schools - Northwestern University and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus with tuition and admission information where Northwestern University is a four-years, private (not-for-profit) located in Evanston, IL and Penn State is a four-years, public located in University Park, PA.
The next list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare two colleges with comprehensive information on the full comparison page.
  • Northwestern University is a private (not-for-profit) and Penn State is a public school and both are four-years schools.
  • Northwestern University has more expensive tuition & fees ($65,997) than Penn State ($40,188).
  • It is harder to admit to Northwestern University than Penn State.
  • Northwestern University has a higher submitted SAT score (1,530) than Penn State (1,300).
  • Northwestern University has higher submitted ACT score (34) than Penn State (29).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,028 students while Northwestern University has 23,161 students.
  • Northwestern University has a lower number of students per faculty with 6 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 15 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 2,994 faculties while Northwestern University has 2,325 full-time faculties.
The following table compares the two rival schools - Northwestern University and Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus.
Northwestern Universityvs.Penn State
Evanston, IllinoisLocationUniversity Park, Pennsylvania
Four-years, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-years, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$65,9972024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$20,234
Out-Of-State$40,188
54%% Receiving Financial Aid56%
$53,533Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,574
7.21 %Acceptance Rates55.21 %
55.16 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)19.46 %
1,530SAT Score1,300
34ACT Score29
96 %Graduation Rate83 %
-Transfer-out Rate1 %
98 %Retention Rate91 %
23,161Student Population50,028
2,325Number of Faculties2,994
6 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio15 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare