Northwestern University

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Evanston, IL

$58,227

Avg tuition

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About Northwestern University

School Type: Private

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Northwestern University is a medium-sized private university located on an urban campus in Evanston, Illinois. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 8,559, and admissions are extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of 9%. The university offers 115 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 95%, and a student-faculty ratio of 6:1. Tuition and fees for students are $58,227.

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Rankings

Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a highly selective acceptance rate.

This school is very selective about its students. Selective schools welcome 1-14% of all applicants.

9% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

97% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This is typically an indication of a school's quality and means most students finish their degree in a timely manner.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

95% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Required

High school transcript Required

High school rank Recommended

Letter of recommendation Required

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Implied no

Credit for qualified life experience* Implied no

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.

While test scores can be an important aspect of college applications, schools determine admission based on several factors, and these test scores are only a suggested range.

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ACT 25th-75th Percentile 33-35

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1430-1550

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of more than 15,000 students.

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The student-to-faculty ratio at this school is lower than other schools.

This means there are more faculty for each student, which can create an opportunity for more individualized attention and support in your studies.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

23k

Students enrolled

1%

Online student enrollment

6:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online Check Bold
On-campus Check Bold
Hybrid The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program. Check Bold
International Online classes are available for students around the world. Check Bold

Demographics

White

43%

Non-U.S. Citizen

16%

Asian

16%

Hispanic

9%

Unknown

6%

Black

6%

Two or more races

4%

American Indian/Alaska Native

0%

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0%

Female student population

52%

Socio-economic diversity

20% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

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Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Yes

Online Programs

4

Total Online Enrollment

329

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

99% On-campus

1% Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Certificates X Bold Not offered

Associate X Bold Not offered

Bachelor's X Bold Not offered

Graduate Certificate X Bold Not offered

Master's Check Bold 3% online

Doctorate X Bold Not offered

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Student Level In-state Out-of-state
Undergraduate $58,227 $58,227
Graduate $56,067 $56,067

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2020–2021 academic year.

Costs to Consider Price
Books and supplies $1,662
On-campus room and board $17,616
On-campus other expenses $3,304
Off-campus (not with family) room and board $17,616
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses $3,304
Off-campus (with family) other expenses $3,076

Total Undergraduate Cost

Total cost by category In-state Out-of-state
On-campus $80,809 $80,809
Off-campus without family $80,809 $80,809
Off-campus with family $62,965 $62,965

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Federal Grant Aid

20%

State Grant Aid

7%

Institution Grant Aid

61%

Pell Grant

20%

Average Aid Awarded

Federal Grant Aid $6,742
State Grant Aid $5,289
Institution Grant Aid $47,524
Pell Grant Aid $4,875

Financial Outlook

$16k

Average student debt after graduation

$72k

Average salary 6 years after starting school

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division I-FBS

of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.

Participation

Men Women
  • Basketball
  • Fencing
  • Field Hockey
  • Football
  • Golf
  • Lacrosse
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Swimming Diving
  • Tennis
  • Track Field Xcountry
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • Baseball
  • Basketball

Degrees Awarded by Program

Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.

1

Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies

BA

MA

DOC

2

Biological And Biomedical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

3

Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

4

Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

BA

MA

DOC

5

Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

BA

MA

DOC

6

Education

BA

MA

DOC

7

Engineering Technologies/Technicians

BA

MA

DOC

8

Engineering

BA

MA

DOC

9

English Language And Literature/Letters

BA

MA

DOC

10

Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

11

Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

BA

MA

DOC

12

Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences

BA

MA

DOC

13

History

BA

MA

DOC

14

Legal Professions And Studies

BA

MA

DOC

15

Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

BA

MA

DOC

16

Mathematics And Statistics

BA

MA

DOC

17

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

BA

MA

DOC

18

Natural Resources And Conservation

BA

MA

DOC

19

Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies

BA

MA

DOC

20

Philosophy And Religious Studies

BA

MA

DOC