Key differences on Students & campus

1
Boston has 2.0× as many undergrads as Northwestern
Undergrads
2
Northwestern is more diverse (index 0.81 vs. 0.79)
Diversity index
3
Boston has 2 pts more first-gen students than Northwestern (17% vs. 15%)
First-generation students

Students

Students & campus

Who's on each campus, how many get Pell Grants or are the first in their family, and campus life.

Who's on campus

Undergrads

Boston18.2KLargest

Northwestern9.2K

Pell Grant share

Boston19%Highest

Northwestern19%

First-gen share

Boston17%Highest

Northwestern15%

Diversity index

Boston0.79

Northwestern0.81Most

Who they are

Men

Boston42%

Northwestern46%

Part-time students

Boston1%

Northwestern3%

Students 25 and older

Boston3%

Northwestern3%

Race & ethnicity

Boston

Northwestern

White
Asian
Hispanic/Latino
Black
Two or more
International
Other/unknown

Where they're from

First-years from in state

Boston15%

Northwestern19%

First-years from other states

Boston62%

Northwestern66%

First-years from abroad

Boston23%

Northwestern15%

New transfer students this fall

Boston915

Northwestern277

Transfers, share of new undergraduates

Boston22%

Northwestern12%

Campus

Boston

Large cityNCAA D-I · Patriot LeagueROTCStudy abroadUndergrad research

Northwestern

Small cityNCAA D-I FBS · Big Ten ConferenceROTCStudy abroadUndergrad research

LGBTQ+ policies

Each item is dated: either the college's own page, checked on that date, or a national list's claim, read on that date — never a plain “yes” or “no.” A key missing for a college isn't shown as “no”: nothing was found for it.

Policy	Boston	Northwestern
Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression	Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Nondiscrimination policy covers gender identity or expression: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive housing	Gender-inclusive housing: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Gender-inclusive housing, per the college's own page (checked 2026-10-04)
Chosen name and pronouns on campus records	Chosen name and pronouns on campus records: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Chosen name and pronouns on campus records: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)
Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online	Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Gender-inclusive restrooms listed online, per the college's own page (checked 2026-10-04)
Student health plan covers transition-related care	Student health plan covers transition-related care: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)	Student health plan covers transition-related care: listed by Trans Policy Clearinghouse (2026-10-04)

All student numbers in the table

Sources:College Scorecard, Fall 2024;College Scorecard, most recent release;College Scorecard, Fall 2023;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part C, residence of first-time students), Fall 2024;IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey (part A, enrollment by level), Fall 2024;IPEDS directory (Institutional Characteristics: HD), 2025–26;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)

Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why