Northwestern University vs University of Chicago
University of Chicago is the more selective of the two at 4%, versus 8% at Northwestern University. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.
Northwestern University vs University of Chicago: the differences that matter
How Northwestern University and University of Chicago stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.
University of Chicago is meaningfully harder to get into, admitting about 4% of applicants versus 8% at Northwestern University, a gap of roughly 4 percentage points. Treat University of Chicago as the bigger reach of the two when you build your list.
The two also read applications a little differently. Northwestern University leans more on alumni / legacy relation, level of applicant interest, while University of Chicago puts more weight on class rank, standardized test scores. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.
On test scores, Northwestern University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1560 and University of Chicago's is around 1570. Admitted students at University of Chicago post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.
What each school weighs
Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Is Northwestern University or University of Chicago harder to get into?
University of Chicago is harder to get into, with a 4% acceptance rate versus 8% at Northwestern University.
What's the difference in SAT scores between Northwestern University and University of Chicago?
Northwestern University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1560, and University of Chicago's is around 1570.
What are my chances at Northwestern University and University of Chicago?
That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.