Game 10: Saturday, November 15, 2025 | Michigan at Northwestern | Wrigley Field | Noon
Michigan heads to Evanston for a fall matchup against Northwestern. While the teams compete on the field, both universities are national leaders in academics, research, and innovation that shape their communities and strengthen the Midwest economy.
Did You Know?
Ann Arbor & Evanston Connections
- Michigan and Northwestern first met on the football field in 1892, creating one of the oldest matchups in the Big Ten.
- Both cities consistently rank among the nation’s best college towns thanks to walkable downtowns, vibrant arts scenes, and highly educated residents.
- Together, the University of Michigan and Northwestern University invest more than 3 billion dollars in research each year, strengthening innovation across the Midwest.
- Ann Arbor connects to Detroit’s growing tech and mobility economy, while Evanston benefits from its proximity to Chicago’s global business network.
- Michigan and Northwestern alumni form one of the region’s strongest professional talent pipelines, especially in engineering, business, and health related fields.
How Our Communities Compare
Ann Arbor and Evanston are both shaped by major research universities, yet each offers a distinct community experience. Ann Arbor is home to roughly 123,000 residents and serves as a regional center for education, healthcare, and technology. Its cost of living sits close to the national average, which helps attract students, families, and professionals who want the benefits of a research driven economy without the higher costs found in larger metros.
Evanston, with about 78,000 residents, is closely connected to the Chicago metropolitan area. Household incomes in Evanston are among the highest in the Big Ten, supported by access to Chicago’s diverse and well paid industries. The community also maintains strong educational attainment, with a large share of adults holding college degrees. While Evanston’s cost of living is higher than Ann Arbor’s, its proximity to a global city adds economic and cultural opportunities that help shape its identity. Even with these differences, both communities share a strong focus on education, innovation, and quality of life.
Comparing the Universities
The University of Michigan and Northwestern University stand among the nation’s leading research institutions, each contributing significantly to talent development and innovation in the Midwest. Michigan enrolls more than fifty thousand students and awards over sixteen thousand degrees each year. With nearly two billion dollars in annual research spending, Michigan ranks among the largest research universities in the country and maintains top programs in engineering, business, computer science, nursing, and public policy.
Northwestern enrolls more than twenty three thousand students and graduates nearly nine thousand each year. Its research activity totals more than one billion dollars annually, placing it among the top thirty research institutions nationally. Although Northwestern operates on a smaller scale, it holds national prominence in fields such as journalism, business, law, education, and the sciences. Together, these universities anchor one of the most influential academic and research corridors in the Midwest.
Beyond the Field
Ann Arbor and Evanston illustrate the powerful role that research universities play in shaping regional talent pipelines and economic competitiveness. Their students, faculty, startups, and industry partners drive discovery, entrepreneurship, and innovation in ways that extend far beyond football Saturdays.
Both communities continue to demonstrate how university driven growth can strengthen a region’s resilience, attract investment, and support high quality jobs across the Midwest.
In Case You Missed It
Catch up on our previous posts from this season:
Game 1: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. New Mexico
Game 2: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Oklahoma
Game 3: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Central Michigan
Game 4: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Nebraska
Game 5: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Wisconsin
Game 6: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. USC
Game 7: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Washington
Game 8: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Michigan State
Game 9: How Do We Compare? Michigan vs. Purdue
Want to learn more? Ann Arbor SPARK’s business development team can connect you with data, resources, and insights to support your business growth in our region.
