Overview
Enrollment
| Location | Evanston, Illinois |
| Online | northwestern.edu |
| School Type | Private 4 Year |
| Setting | Small City |
| Size | Large |
| Status | Non-profit |
| On Campus Housing | Yes |
| Level of Study | Undergrad/Graduate |
Northwestern University, situated in Evanston, Illinois, offers a scenic campus environment on the shores of Lake Michigan just north of Chicago. Established in 1851, this private research institution boasts a rich tradition of academic excellence and operates campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Doha, Qatar. Known for its competitive admissions process, Northwestern is a selective school that offers a broad array of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university is particularly recognized for its schools of management, law, engineering, and journalism. With a commitment to intellectual growth and research, Northwestern maintains on-campus housing options for students. The university's athletic teams, the Wildcats, compete in NCAA Division I as part of the Big Ten Conference and are especially noted for their football and women's lacrosse programs.
In the most recent statistical year 51,261 prospective students applied, and 3,695 were granted admission. Of those admitted 2,038 enrolled in the school. 19,264 students are enrolled on a full time basis, and 3,897 attend part time. In-state tuition for 2022/2023, excluding room and board, is $62,391 plus fees of $1,077. Northwestern is ranked 15 nationally in the CollegeSimply.com 2024 U.S. Colleges Ranking.
Ratings
Overall
Academics
Resources
Outcomes
Value
Northwestern is rated within the top 4% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10. Learn how ratings are calculated
Rankings
Rankings for Northwestern University within the 2024 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
#15 in Best Colleges in the U.S.
#15 in Best Private Colleges in the U.S.
#2 in Best Colleges in Illinois
#2 in Best Private Colleges in Illinois
#10 in Best Value Colleges in the U.S.
#1 in Best Value Colleges in Illinois
View the CollegeSimply ranking methodology.
Getting In
Admission Standards
| SAT | 1490/1570 |
| ACT | 33/35 |
| Estimated GPA | 3.92 |
Applications Accepted
| Applications Due | Jan 1, 2025 |
| Applicant Competition | Extreme |
| Application Fee | $75 |
Annual Cost to Attend
Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Books and Supplies | $1,590 |
| Other Fees | $1,077 |
| Room and Board | $19,440 |
| Budget for Other Expenses | $4,896 |
| Total One Year Cost | $89,394 |
Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
| Subject | Percent of Class |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 25% |
| Communication | 14% |
| Engineering | 11% |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 9% |
| Psychology | 8% |
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Students considering Northwestern are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Questions and Answers
CollegeSimply Advisor posts about Northwestern University.
- Do I need subject tests for Northwestern?
- Impact of SAT essay on Big 10 applications
- Strengthen my Northwestern application?
- Class Rank and Application Strategy for Big 10 Schools
- Is a 32 ACT score competitive for top colleges?
- Understanding SAT requirements for Big 10
- Does my ACT score fit for Big 10 schools?
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=147767 IPEDS survey data for Northwestern University.
Current students may use the Northwestern University GPA calculator to determine their current college GPA.
Last updated February 24, 2024