Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's degrees · City
Overall Grade
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About Northwestern University
Northwestern University (NU) is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851, it is the oldest chartered university in Illinois. Northwestern was initially affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church but later became non-sectarian. By 1900, the university was the third-largest university in the United States, after Michigan and Harvard. Northwestern became a founding member of the Big Ten Conference in 1896 and joined the Association of American Universities in 1917. Northwestern is composed of eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools in the fields of management, law, journalism, engineering, medicine, and others. As of 2024, the university had an endowment of $15.6 billion, an annual budget of around $3.3 billion, and research funding of over $1 billion. The university fields 19 intercollegiate athletic teams, the Northwestern Wildcats, which compete in the NCAA Division I in the Big Ten Conference. As of September 2020, 37 Nobel Prize laureates and 2 Fields Medalists were affiliated with Northwestern as alumni or faculty. In addition, Northwestern has been associated with 47 Pulitzer Prize winners, 23 National Medal of
Excerpt from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
8%
Acceptance
$29,167
Net price
9,201
Enrollment
95%
Grad rate
Report Card
Academics
Graduation & retention rates
Value
Earnings vs. cost of attendance
Career Outcomes
Graduate earnings after 10 years
Affordability
Average net price after aid
Selectivity
How hard it is to get in
Diversity
Racial & ethnic balance of students
Grades are computed from official U.S. Department of Education metrics (graduation, cost, earnings, selectivity and student diversity).
Admissions
8%
Acceptance rate
1,533
SAT average
35
ACT midpoint
Bars show the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of admitted students.
Cost & Financial Aid
$29,167
Average net price
$68,322
In-state tuition
$68,322
Out-of-state tuition
$21,126
Room & board
$1,794
Books & supplies
$91,250
Total cost of attendance
19%
Students receiving Pell grants
17%
Students with federal loans
$15,000
Median student debt
Average net price by family income
Net price is the average annual cost after grants and scholarships for federally-aided students.
Popular Majors
After Graduation
$89,363
Median earnings (10 yrs)
$76,844
Median earnings (6 yrs)
95%
Graduation rate
98%
Retention rate
91%
Earn more than a HS grad
$48,932
Instructional spend / student
Student Body
9,201
Total enrollment
3%
Part-time
20
Avg. age at entry
15%
First-generation
Gender balance
Race & ethnicity
Northwestern University FAQ
Is Northwestern University a public or private school?
Northwestern University is a private nonprofit institution located in Evanston, IL.
What is the acceptance rate at Northwestern University?
Northwestern University has an acceptance rate of 8%, based on the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
How much does Northwestern University cost?
The average annual net price at Northwestern University is $29,167 — the typical cost after grants and scholarships for federally-aided students. Published tuition is $68,322.
What is the graduation rate at Northwestern University?
About 95% of students at Northwestern University complete their degree, according to federal completion data.
How much do Northwestern University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Northwestern University students earn a median of $89,363 per year.
What SAT or ACT scores do you need for Northwestern University?
Admitted students at Northwestern University have an average SAT score of 1,533 and an ACT midpoint of 35. Requirements vary, so check the school's admissions office for the latest.
How many students attend Northwestern University?
Northwestern University enrolls about 9,201 students.
Campus
Campus photo via Wikimedia Commons — Rdsmith4 · CC BY-SA 2.5. Additional images are representative.
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