Northwestern University
Evanston, IL · Small city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 7.7%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 51,769
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 3,703
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 2,111
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 57%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 7.3%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 7.0%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- 740–770
- SAT math, middle 50%
- 770–800
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- 33–35
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- 50% / 29%
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- considered
- High school class rank
- considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- required
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $91,250
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $68,322
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $68,322
- Median debt at graduation
- $15,000
- Students with federal loans
- 17%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 95%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 98%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $73,331
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $89,363
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 9,201
- Graduate students
- 14,457
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 6 : 1
- Women
- 54%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 19%
- Full-time faculty
- 83%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- President
- Michael H. Schill
- Main phone
- (847) 491-3741
- Address
- 633 Clark St, Evanston, IL 60208
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (binding) | November 1 | mid-December |
| Regular Decision | January 4 | late March |
- Apply with
- Common App, Coalition/Scoir, QuestBridge
- Application fee
- $75 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Optional
- Essays
- 1 required essay (300 words) + short answers under 200 words; personal essay optional
- Recommendations
- 1 counselor + 1 teacher
- Interview
- not offered
Testing: SAT/ACT not required for first-year or transfer applicants
Financial aid policies
- Meets 100% of demonstrated need
- No-loan financial aid
- CSS Profile required (plus FAFSA)
- Most families earning under $150K attend tuition-free
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Early Decision admit rate
- 20.4% (1,212 of 5,939)
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: admissions.northwestern.edu, admissions.northwestern.edu, admissions.northwestern.edu, admissions.northwestern.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.