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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
30
Agriculture and Forestry
--
--
Anatomy and Physiology
=31
27
Anthropology
6
51-100
Archaeology
25
51-100
Architecture and Built Environment
151-200
--
Art and Design
=83
101-150
Art History
--
--
Arts and Humanities
15
111
Biological Sciences
36
65
Business and Management Studies
=24
17
Chemistry
=35
18
Classics and Ancient History
=21
--
Communication and Media Studies
51-100
26
Computer Science and Information Systems
64
=118
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
49
51-100
Dentistry
--
--
Development Studies
51-100
--
Earth and Marine Sciences
101-150
201-275
Economics and Econometrics
4
16
Education and Training
101-150
101-150
Engineering - Chemical
=62
=42
Engineering - Civil and Structural
--
51-100
Engineering - Electrical and Electronic
--
147
Engineering - Mechanical
--
=60
Engineering - Mineral and Mining
--
--
Engineering - Petroleum
--
--
Engineering and Technology
=149
=80
English Language and Literature
13
=72
Environmental Sciences
201-250
251-300
Geography
51-100
--
Geology
101-150
201-250
Geophysics
101-150
201-250
History
11
51-100
Hospitality and Leisure Management
--
--
Law and Legal Studies
12
79
Library and Information Management
--
--
Life Sciences and Medicine
57
=71
Linguistics
30
101-150
Marketing
=23
14
Materials Sciences
--
15
Mathematics
=22
=125
Medicine
=39
=46
Modern Languages
=15
101-150
Music
--
26-50
Natural Sciences
29
=55
Nursing
--
--
Performing Arts
51-100
26
Pharmacy and Pharmacology
--
--
Philosophy
26
101-150
Physics and Astronomy
18
=76
Politics
19
101-150
Psychology
=28
32
Social Policy and Administration
=19
--
Social Sciences and Management
=12
=38
Sociology
8
=36
Sports-Related Subjects
--
51-100
Statistics and Operational Research
=19
=46
Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies
6
--
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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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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