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Of course, there’s more to consider when choosing a university than just how well it’s performed in this year’s rankings. Let’s take a closer look at how these two universities compare.
Subject strengths
If you’re still undecided on whether to attend UChicago or Northwestern, the QS World University Rankings by Subject allow us to get an idea of the strengths of each university in different subjects.
Of the five broad subject areas covered in the ranking, both UChicago and Northwestern achieve their highest position for social sciences & management.
UChicago is a more consistent performer than Northwestern for almost every broad subject area.
The table below shows how UChicago and Northwestern directly compare for all of the subjects covered in the ranking.
University of Chicago
Northwestern University
Accounting and Finance
5
25
Agriculture and Forestry
--
--
Anatomy and Physiology
--
22
Anthropology
=6
51-100
Archaeology
=17
101-150
Architecture and Built Environment
151-200
--
Art and Design
51-100
151-200
Art History
--
--
Arts and Humanities
16
=98
Biological Sciences
21
=55
Business and Management Studies
=17
=17
Chemistry
34
=15
Classics and Ancient History
=49
--
Communication and Media Studies
45
23
Computer Science and Information Systems
50
118
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
=28
51-100
Dentistry
--
--
Development Studies
=17
--
Earth and Marine Sciences
51-100
151-200
Economics and Econometrics
4
12
Education and Training
61
=97
Engineering - Chemical
=39
=23
Engineering - Civil and Structural
--
51-100
Engineering - Electrical and Electronic
--
=96
Engineering - Mechanical
--
=39
Engineering - Mineral and Mining
--
--
Engineering - Petroleum
--
--
Engineering and Technology
132
=69
English Language and Literature
11
=66
Environmental Sciences
151-200
151-200
Geography
=29
--
Geology
101-150
151-200
Geophysics
101-150
151-200
History
12
51-100
Hospitality and Leisure Management
--
--
Law and Legal Studies
11
=65
Library and Information Management
--
--
Life Sciences and Medicine
=57
65
Linguistics
=33
101-150
Marketing
--
5
Materials Sciences
--
=19
Mathematics
22
96
Medicine
34
=42
Modern Languages
15
151-200
Music
--
--
Natural Sciences
=27
=49
Nursing
--
--
Performing Arts
51-100
39
Pharmacy and Pharmacology
--
--
Philosophy
20
101-150
Physics and Astronomy
18
=55
Politics
16
82
Psychology
24
23
Social Policy and Administration
20
--
Social Sciences and Management
9
=29
Sociology
7
=36
Sports-Related Subjects
--
51-100
Statistics and Operational Research
18
=33
Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies
9
--
Veterinary Science
--
--
Location
Another factor to consider when choosing between UChicago and Northwestern is their respective locations. Both have campuses in Chicago, the third-biggest city in the US.
If scenic, ivy-clad buildings sound like ideal surroundings when you study in the US, UChicago has you covered. Its 217-acre campus is in the city’s Hyde Park neighbourhood, near to Lake Michigan. It combines traditional English gothic buildings with award-winning modern architecture.
Aside from its main campus, UChicago’s Booth School of Business also runs satellite campuses in Singapore and London, as well as the Streeterville neighbourhood in downtown Chicago. This is also where Northwestern’s Chicago campus is located, close to attractions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and John Hancock Center.
Northwestern’s Evanston campus is 240 acres and is where the undergraduate schools, the Graduate School, and the Kellogg School of Management are based. The campus sits on Lake Michigan, meaning it has its own beaches.
The Evanston campus also features one of the biggest university libraries in a private university, with 4.6 million volumes. Evanston itself is located about 12 miles north of Chicago and is home to approximately 74,895 people, so it may be better suited to those who aren’t keen on big city life.
Study in the US at either university is not cheap, so you’ll be pleased to know that financial aid is available. UChicago pledges to meet the demonstrated need of 100% of admitted undergraduates.
First year international students are eligible for both need and merit-based financial aid on need-sensitive process, meaning that the university considers whether an international student has requested financial aid or not.
If you think you may need financial aid at any point during your time at the university, you must apply for financial aid at the same time when you submit your application. The university’s net price calculator allows you to estimate the cost of your education and find out what financial aid you may be eligible for. First-year students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, which don’t consider the student’s financial situation.
Northwestern University also offers financial aid to students based on demonstrated need. A small group of first-year international students receive need-based aid every year, and again you must state it on your application form if you require aid.
Need and non-need based loans are available, and US students from low-income families are also eligible to apply for federal & state grants. The university’s net price calculator can be found here.
You can browse a range of scholarships to study in the US here.
The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
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UChicago vs Northwestern
Sabrina Collier
Updated Apr 09, 2025Save
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Table of contents
Table of contents
The University of Chicago (UChicago) and Northwestern University are the two highest-ranked universities in Illinois and are both consistently ranked among the top universities in the US.
Of course, there’s more to consider when choosing a university than just how well it’s performed in this year’s rankings. Let’s take a closer look at how these two universities compare.
Subject strengths
If you’re still undecided on whether to attend UChicago or Northwestern, the QS World University Rankings by Subject allow us to get an idea of the strengths of each university in different subjects.
Of the five broad subject areas covered in the ranking, both UChicago and Northwestern achieve their highest position for social sciences & management.
UChicago is a more consistent performer than Northwestern for almost every broad subject area.
The table below shows how UChicago and Northwestern directly compare for all of the subjects covered in the ranking.
Location
Another factor to consider when choosing between UChicago and Northwestern is their respective locations. Both have campuses in Chicago, the third-biggest city in the US.
If scenic, ivy-clad buildings sound like ideal surroundings when you study in the US, UChicago has you covered. Its 217-acre campus is in the city’s Hyde Park neighbourhood, near to Lake Michigan. It combines traditional English gothic buildings with award-winning modern architecture.
Aside from its main campus, UChicago’s Booth School of Business also runs satellite campuses in Singapore and London, as well as the Streeterville neighbourhood in downtown Chicago. This is also where Northwestern’s Chicago campus is located, close to attractions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art and John Hancock Center.
Northwestern’s Evanston campus is 240 acres and is where the undergraduate schools, the Graduate School, and the Kellogg School of Management are based. The campus sits on Lake Michigan, meaning it has its own beaches.
The Evanston campus also features one of the biggest university libraries in a private university, with 4.6 million volumes. Evanston itself is located about 12 miles north of Chicago and is home to approximately 74,895 people, so it may be better suited to those who aren’t keen on big city life.
Testimonials
Financial support
Study in the US at either university is not cheap, so you’ll be pleased to know that financial aid is available. UChicago pledges to meet the demonstrated need of 100% of admitted undergraduates.
First year international students are eligible for both need and merit-based financial aid on need-sensitive process, meaning that the university considers whether an international student has requested financial aid or not.
If you think you may need financial aid at any point during your time at the university, you must apply for financial aid at the same time when you submit your application. The university’s net price calculator allows you to estimate the cost of your education and find out what financial aid you may be eligible for. First-year students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships, which don’t consider the student’s financial situation.
Northwestern University also offers financial aid to students based on demonstrated need. A small group of first-year international students receive need-based aid every year, and again you must state it on your application form if you require aid.
Need and non-need based loans are available, and US students from low-income families are also eligible to apply for federal & state grants. The university’s net price calculator can be found here.
You can browse a range of scholarships to study in the US here.
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The former Assistant Editor of TopUniversities.com, Sabrina wrote and edited articles to guide students from around the world on a wide range of topics. She has a bachelor's degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Aberystwyth University and grew up in Staffordshire, UK.
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