Northwestern University generally commands a higher level of historical academic prestige and selectivity than Northeastern University, operating as a founding member of the Big Ten Conference and an elite top-tier research institution. Located in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern is globally renowned for its world-class medical school, premier journalism program, elite business school, and rigorous overall academic standing. While Northeastern has experienced a meteoric rise in popularity, application volume, and global recognition due to its innovative cooperative education model, Northwestern maintains a longer-standing tradition of elite academic exclusivity.