Academic Comparison between Penn State and Northwestern

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus and Northwestern University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Penn State is a four-year, public school located in University Park, PA and Northwestern is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Evanston, IL.

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.

  • Penn State is a public and Northwestern is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Northwestern has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,322) than Penn State ($41,790).
  • It is harder to admit to Northwestern than Penn State.
  • Northwestern has a higher submitted SAT score (1,330) than Penn State (1,330).
  • Northwestern has higher submitted ACT score (30) than Penn State (30).
  • Penn State has more students with 50,737 students while Northwestern has 23,856 students.
  • Northwestern has a lower number of students per faculty with 6 to 1 while Penn State's ratio is 16 to 1.
  • Penn State has more full-time faculties with 4,174 faculties while Northwestern has 2,442 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campusvs.Northwestern University
University Park, PennsylvaniaLocationEvanston, Illinois
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$20,644
Out-Of-State$41,790
2025 Tuition & Fees$68,322
50%% Receiving Financial Aid52%
$14,013Average Amount of Financial Aid$59,150
60.56 %Acceptance Rates7.69 %
17.11 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)55.31 %
1,330SAT Score1,540
30ACT Score34
86 %Graduation Rate95 %
2 %Transfer-out Rate-
93 %Retention Rate98 %
50,737Student Population23,856
4,174Number of Faculties2,442
16 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio6 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, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services