Northwestern University

10/10 Overall Rating
4 Year
Evanston, IL
5.0 1 review

#15 Best Colleges in America

Overview Admission Cost Majors Diversity Outcomes Salaries Location Compare Reviews Admission Calculator

Overview

Total enrollment

23,856

Location Evanston, Illinois
Website northwestern.edu
Type Private 4 Year
Setting Small City

Best Colleges Rank

#15

Size Large
Status Non-profit
Housing Yes
Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate

Northwestern University sits along Lake Michigan's shoreline in Evanston, Illinois, located 12 miles north of downtown Chicago. The suburban campus spans 240 acres featuring a mix of collegiate Gothic and modern architecture, with several buildings designed by notable architects. Founded in 1851, Northwestern operates as a private research institution known for its selective admission process and academic rigor, particularly in fields such as journalism, performing arts, engineering, and business through its Kellogg School of Management. The university maintains a residential campus system where most undergraduate students live in campus housing for their first two years, while also operating a satellite campus in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood that houses the medical and law schools. Northwestern competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Big Ten Conference, with its football team playing home games at Ryan Field.

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Ratings

Northwestern is rated within the top 4% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 10 out of 10.

Overall Rating

10 out of 10
Academics

10 out of 10
Resources

10 out of 10
Outcomes

10 out of 10
Value

10 out of 10

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Rankings

Rankings for Northwestern University within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.

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Admissions

Admission Standards

Exceptional

SAT (enrolled mid-50) 1510/1570
ACT (enrolled mid-50) 33/35

Acceptance Rate

7.7%

Applications Due Jan 1, 2027
Enrollment Rate 55.3%
Application Fee $75

Applicant Competition Extreme

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Annual Cost to Attend

Tuition

$68,322

Costs for Northwestern University
Fee		Cost
Tuition		$68,322
Books and Supplies		$1,794
Other Fees		$1,164
Room and Board		$21,126
Budget for Other Expenses		$3,636
Total One Year Cost		$96,042

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Student Outcomes

Average Salary After 10 Years

$89,800 per year

Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate

94% within 6 years

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Popular Areas of Study

Popular majors at Northwestern University are Social Sciences, Communication, and Engineering. 25% of students major in Social Sciences, 14% in Communication, and 11% in Engineering.