- Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus (Penn State) is a public school while Northwestern University is a private school.
- Penn State is located in University Park, PA and Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL.
- Northwestern University has more expensive tuition of $65,997 than Penn State ($40,188).
- Northwestern University has tighter acceptance rate of 9.24% than Penn State (50.31%).
- Northwestern University has higher SAT scores of 1,530 than Penn State (1,300).
- Penn State is larger with 50,028 students than Northwestern University (23,161 students).
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus View More Rivals | Northwestern University View More Rivals | |
| Rankings | #12 in National Universities #2 in Illinois | |
| Public, 4-years | School Type | Private, 4-years |
| University Park, PA | Location | Evanston, IL |
Penn State| Known as | | |
| 1 Year Certificate 2 Year Certificate Associate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) | Offered Degrees | 2 Year Certificate Bachelor's Post-Bachelor Certificate Master's Post-Master Certificate Doctorate (Research) Doctorate (Professional Practice) |
| Research University (very high research activity) | Carnegie Classification | Research University (very high research activity) |
| Tuition & Fees | ||
| $20,234 Pennsylvania residents $40,188 out-of-state | Undergraduate | $65,997 |
| $25,518 Pennsylvania residents $43,828 out-of-state | Graduate | $53,871 |
| $11,574 | Financial Aid | $53,533 |
| Admission | ||
| $65 undergraduate $65 graduate | Application Fee | $75 undergraduate $95 graduate |
| 50.31% | Acceptance Rate | 9.24% |
| 27.85% | Yield | 55.29% |
| 1,300 SAT, 29 ACT | Test Scores | 1,530 SAT, 34 ACT |
| Student Population | ||
| 50,028 | Total Students | 23,161 |
| 41,745 | Undergraduate | 8,993 |
| 8,283 | Graduate | 14,168 |
| 116 | Online Enrollment | 1,123 |
| Graduation Rate & Outcomes | ||
| 83% | Graduation Rate | 96% |
| 1% | Transfer-out Rate | |
| 91% | Retention Rate | 98% |
| $57,200 | Average Earning after Graduation | $93,400 |
| Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services | ||
| Online Course (may not Degree Program) Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate | Distance Learning (Online Classes) | Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and Graduate |
| ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate | Special Opportunities | ROTC Study Abroad Weekend/Evening College Teacher Certifiate |
| ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 14,275) $7,374 average annual costs | On-Campus Living | ✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 4,456) $11,748 average annual costs |
| Not offered or not Reported | Meal Plan | Not offered or not Reported |
| Faculties and Staffs | ||
| 15 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 6 to 1 |
| 2,994 Full-time 621 Part-time | Number of Faculties | 2,325 Full-time 340 Part-time |
| 14,044 Full-time 1,418 Part-time | Number of Staffs | 9,894 Full-time 544 Part-time |
| $100,357 for Faculties $66,773 Part-time | Average Salary | $163,111 for Faculties $85,974 Part-time |