Northwestern University

#11PrivateSuburban
22,732
Total Students
8,846
Undergrads
13,886
Graduates
7%
Acceptance
📍 Evanston, IL
🎓 Est. 1851
🌐 Website
📊Admissions
7%
Acceptance Rate
3.9-4
Middle 50% GPA Range of Admitted Students
1500-1560
Composite Score
Middle 50% SAT Range of Admitted Students
34-35
Composite Score
Middle 50% ACT Range of Admitted Students

Acceptance Rate Trend

SAT Score Range Trend

(middle 50% of admitted students)

Application Timeline

🗓️
Early Application Deadline
November 1 (Early Decision)
☘️
Decision Released
Late December
🗓️
Regular Decision Deadline
January 2
☘️
Decision Released
Late March

Application Methods

Common Application
Coalition Application
Early Decision
Regular Decision
QuestBridge
⚖️Fit Profile

👍 Great Fit If You Are:

1

Strategic communicators

if you love shaping ideas, telling stories, and moving people through words, design, or media, Northwestern lets you lead with expression.

2

Interdisciplinary thinkers

if you’re equally drawn to economics and theater, or policy and engineering, the school supports

3

Soft-spoken leaders

if you prefer leading through clarity, kindness, and vision instead of noise, Northwestern’s culture fits.

4

Creative analysts

if you like both big ideas and elegant solutions, especially in fields like journalism, design, or data science, NU makes space for both.

5

Balanced overachievers

if you want intensity and ambition without constant burnout, Northwestern’s quarter system gives room to breathe and explore.

🚨 Not Ideal For:

1

Hyper-competitive rivals

collaboration is the norm here; sharp-elbowed competition isn’t celebrated.

2

Party-centric students

the social life is rich but relatively low-key; Evanston isn’t a nightlife capital.

3

Theory-only thinkers

even academic fields here often nudge you to consider application, outcome, and public impact.

4

Rigid academic planners

if you want a fixed track and minimal self-direction, NU’s open structure may feel vague.

5

Big brand chasers

NU is elite, but less brand-conscious than the Ivies; it attracts those who care more about doing than signaling.

📍Campus Location
College location map
👨‍🎓Student Life

☀️ Weather & Climate

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spring

45-65°F (7-18°C)

Variable, lake effect weather

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summer

70-85°F (21-29°C)

Warm and humid, perfect beach weather

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fall

45-70°F (7-21°C)

Cool and colorful

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winter

20-35°F (-7-2°C)

Cold with lake effect snow

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Four seasons with significant Lake Michigan influence

☀️Average 189 sunny days per year

👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 Demographics

17%
International Students

Gender Ratio

Female
52%
Male
48%

Ethnic Distribution

White
41%
Asian
21%
International
17%
Hispanic
12%
Multi-Race
6%
Other
3%

📚 Popular Majors

Economics
Journalism
Psychology
Theater
Computer Science
💰Annual Tuition
In-State$89,544
Out-of-State$89,544
🍽️Dining & Nearby Areas

Campus Area Dining

Downtown Evanston
Central Street
Noyes Street

Nearby Areas

Downtown Evanston
5 min walk

Vibrant dining scene

Price Range: $$ - $$$
Chicago
30 min train

World-class dining

Price Range: $$ - $$$$
💸Career Outcomes
$96,800
Median Earnings
94%
Employment Rate
$87,200
Starting Salary
A+
Career Grade

Top Employers

McKinsey
Goldman Sachs
Google
Deloitte
NBC Universal

Top Graduate School Destinations

Northwestern
Harvard
Stanford
Columbia
Chicago