Academic Comparison between Northwestern and Purdue

Northwestern University and Purdue University-Main Campus are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Northwestern is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Evanston, IL and Purdue is a four-year, public school located in West Lafayette, IN.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Northwestern is a private (not-for-profit) and Purdue is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Northwestern has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,322) than Purdue ($28,794).
  • It is harder to admit to Northwestern than Purdue.
  • Northwestern has a higher submitted SAT score (1,540) than Purdue (1,350).
  • Northwestern has higher submitted ACT score (34) than Purdue (31).
  • Purdue has more students with 58,658 students while Northwestern has 23,856 students.
  • Northwestern has a lower number of students per faculty with 6 to 1 while Purdue's ratio is 14 to 1.
  • Northwestern has more full-time faculties with 2,442 faculties while Purdue has 2,107 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Northwestern Purdue
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Northwestern Universityvs.Purdue University-Main Campus
Evanston, IllinoisLocationWest Lafayette, Indiana
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$68,3222025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$9,992
Out-Of-State$28,794
52%% Receiving Financial Aid43%
$59,150Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,408
7.69 %Acceptance Rates49.87 %
55.31 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)29.20 %
1,540SAT Score1,350
34ACT Score31
95 %Graduation Rate83 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
98 %Retention Rate93 %
23,856Student Population58,658
2,442Number of Faculties2,107
6 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio14 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
More Rivals