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Evanston , IL
Located in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern University is a prestigious private research university with a rich history and a strong commitment to academic excellence. Established in 1851, the university has consistently been ranked as one of the top universities in the United States. Northwestern University is renowned for its distinguished faculty, innovative research, and rigorous academic programs across a wide range of disciplines.
Northwestern University is organized into twelve schools and colleges, including the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the Kellogg School of Management, the McCormick School of Engineering, and the Medill School of Journalism. The university offers an extensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs, providing students with a diverse and challenging academic experience. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, Northwestern encourages students to explore and pursue their interests across various fields.
The university boasts a vibrant campus culture, offering students a wide array of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations to engage in. Northwestern is also home to numerous nationally-ranked athletic teams known as the Wildcats, competing in the NCAA Division I. Situated on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, the campus provides students with a picturesque environment and easy access to the vibrant city of Chicago. With its exceptional academic programs, thriving campus life, and prestigious reputation, Northwestern University remains a sought-after institution for students aspiring to receive a top-notch education.
Northwestern University is a private university located in Evanston, IL and set in a suburban environment. This institution follows a quarterly calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 7%. The freshman retention rate at Northwestern University is 98% and the six-year graduation rate is 95%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 15.
Read more about what you can expect if you get into Northwestern University.
Quick Facts
9,060
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$69,375
Tuition
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
95%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to learn as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to improve your chances of being accepted. Here are the most essential data you should know about admission policy and requirements at Northwestern University.
According to the newest information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 3,806 in 2024. Northwestern University has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the candidate. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, Northwestern University provides an unmatched educational experience.
Test Scores
46% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 23% submitted ACT scores, out of the total number of those who submitted test scores. 97% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 3% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 2% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of first-year students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 97, 3 between 24-29 and 2 in the range between 18-23.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to Northwestern University is January 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 15.
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. When you create your list of possible schools to attend, make sure to consider the freshmen retention rate.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for Northwestern University was 98%, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This rate shows how many students complete their degrees in a certain number of years. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 95%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the right place for you is not simple. Obtaining a better insight into a school's student body helps you learn more about its culture and life.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school had an enrollment of 23,431 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 76. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the institution was 9,060, 1066 of which were international students. 277 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 9,117 male and 10,549 female full-time students in 2024, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution. 4,880 full-time graduate men and 5,501 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
Higer Education is committed to focusing on the diversity of its student population and improving students' sense of inclusion and belonging. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 1,925 Asian students and 752 Afro-American students in 2024. 1,422 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 716 as multirace. The school also had 5 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 14 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 402 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some important data on Northwestern University costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at Northwestern University? Here is what you need to know.
In 2024, tuition amounted to $69,375 for all full-time domestic students. As this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2024 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,214.
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to take into consideration is the estimated cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $1,539.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for room and board?
At Northwestern University, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $21,975.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 69,375 |
| Room and Board | $ 21,975 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,539 |
| Total Expense | $ 92,889 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial support: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. If you want to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at Northwestern University, here are some recent data you should consider.
According to the most recent data, 950 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $68,110 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet other eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
There were 3,744 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at Northwestern University is available to international students. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 3,836. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $15,805,078, and state $4,405,915. The students of Northwestern University received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $244,820,928, and external in the amount of $7,209,319.
$21,215
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $1,315,310. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $1,442,503 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
6:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2024, this ratio at Northwestern University was 6:1. That means that there were 6 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 1,807 faculty members. This number included 1,046 male and 761 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at Northwestern University: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Check out some info about social life at Northwestern University.
It has a campus size of 250 acres.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership typically consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
Based on the most up-to-date information available, there are 400 open-membership organizations at Northwestern University. That includes sororities and fraternities. If you are interested in music, you can join the Northwestern University band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. For students who have a passion for media and communication, Northwestern University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At Northwestern University, there are many amenities that make life on campus pleasant and safe.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of Northwestern University.
All in all, campus life at Northwestern University is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at Northwestern University.
Career Counselling
At Northwestern University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL.
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Northwestern University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 69,375 USD per academic year for Northwestern University.
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This school uses standardized test scores for admission.
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According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for Northwestern University is 7%.
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The most recent data indicate that the freshman retention rate for Northwestern University is 98%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.