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Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's degrees · City

A+

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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

A+

Academics

Graduation & retention rates

A

Value

Earnings vs. cost of attendance

A+

Career Outcomes

Graduate earnings after 10 years

C+

Affordability

Average net price after aid

A+

Selectivity

How hard it is to get in

A+

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

SAT Reading740770
SAT Math770800
ACT Composite3335

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

$0–30K
$1,764
$30–48K
$6,099
$48–75K
$7,898
$75–110K
$18,282
$110K+
$48,777

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

54% women
46% men

Race & ethnicity

White
31%
Asian
21%
Hispanic
16%
Black
8%
Two or more races
8%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0%

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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