UChicago vs Northwestern

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.