Northwestern Admission Requirements
- 10/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- Evanston, IL
-
5.0 1 review
Northwestern Admission Overview
Northwestern admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in the nation. Last year Northwestern admitted 7.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1510-1570 / ACT 33-35. Northwestern is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Northwestern is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
Northwestern Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Extreme
Admission difficulty for Northwestern University
Acceptance Rate
The Northwestern acceptance rate is 7.7%. Last year, only 3,806 of 49,474 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in Illinois and the 22nd lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into Northwestern and can you get accepted?
Northwestern is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those admitted, 55% enrolled. That suggests Northwestern is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Northwestern GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Estimated High School GPA CollegeSimply estimate of incoming freshman GPA on a 4.0 scale.
3.92*Typical High School Grades Letter grade for the estimated average, not a cutoff.
AEstimated GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.92*
Average GPA
Northwestern has not published an average GPA for enrolled freshmen. CollegeSimply estimates about a 3.92 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale, based on this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges. That is an estimate, not a school-reported average. An estimated 3.92 GPA does not by itself determine admission. Northwestern is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.
*3.92 is a CollegeSimply estimate, not a school-reported average. It is modeled from this school's test scores and GPA data from similar colleges.
Northwestern Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
Northwestern University is test-optional and does not require SAT or ACT scores from first-year or transfer applicants. Students may submit scores if they wish; applying without an SAT or ACT will not affect review or chances of admission. Self-reported scores are accepted. Enrolling students who included SAT or ACT scores must send official reports matching their highest self-reported scores. Northwestern superscores the SAT, allows score choice, and does not require the ACT science section.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.northwestern.edu/faqs/standardized-testing-policy/
Northwestern SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1510-1570Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
46%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 740
- Math 770
- Composite 1510
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 770
- Math 800
- Composite 1570
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at Northwestern typically score around a 1540 SAT (middle 50% 1510–1570) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. Northwestern ranks #2 in the state of Illinois and #10 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1510 to 1570
Matching last year's 1510–1570 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
Northwestern is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1540 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Northwestern ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
33-35Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
23%25th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 32
- Composite 33
75th Percentile Scores
- English 36
- Math 35
- Composite 35
Average ACT
Incoming testers at Northwestern typically have around a 34 ACT (mid-50 33–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 99th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Northwestern places #2 among colleges in Illinois and #12 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 33 to 35
Landing in last year's 33–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
You may apply to Northwestern without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 34.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
95% of Northwestern University freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the Northwestern chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to Northwestern University and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 1, 2027Days left to Apply
123Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to Northwestern University is $75.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
Northwestern is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 7.7% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1510-1570); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to Northwestern University often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=147767.
GPA calculator: Northwestern University GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026