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Northwestern University

Evanston, United States

  • Cost of Living$ 23,520
  • Tuition Fee From$ 43,100
  • Country Rank#17
  • Batch Strength18,735
  • Global Diversity19%
  • Gender Ratio50 : 50

Overview

About

Northwestern is a private research university located in Evanston, Illinois, United States, with other campuses located in Chicago and Doha, Qatar. It was founded in 1851 by John Evans and is currently the world's largest private institution of higher learning. It serves as a hub for business, communication and social networking among its students. The school's athletic teams are known as the Wildcats and participate in NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference competition.

Northwestern's main campus is located in Evanston, Illinois, near the Chicago suburb of Wilmette. The university's Feinberg School of Medicine is located in downtown Chicago and Northwestern Memorial Hospital is located on Northwestern's medical campus in Streeterville. There are additional campuses in Doha, Qatar; Washington, D.C.; and San Francisco, California. It is worth noting that the Northwestern University acceptance rate stands at a mere 7% making it a competitive university to get admissions. 

There are more than 20,000 students enrolled at Northwestern University. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in more than 200 areas of study. It is a large, research-intensive university with strong academics. The school has several notable alumni, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and actors Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Steve Carell. The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business administration, engineering, journalism, law, and medicine. Northwestern's academic schools include-

  • The Bienen School of Music
  • The Feinberg School of Medicine
  • The Henry R. Bloch School of Management
  • The Medill School of Journalism
  • The Pritzker School of Law
  • The Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
University Name Northwestern University
Official Website https://www.northwestern.edu/
Year of Establishment 1851
Average Living Cost $25,620
Total No. of International Students 18,894
University Type Private
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Ranking

US News & World Report 2024:

Northwestern University achieved a notable position on the global stage, securing #24 position.


QS World University Ranking 2024:

Northwestern University has shown excellence by securing 28 spot on the global scale.


One of the best universities in the country, Northwestern University is a sizable residential research university. The university is a top institution in the disciplines of chemistry, business, economics, education, journalism, and communications. Law and medicine both use it extensively. The institution provides 144 undergraduate programs, and 145 graduate and professional programs. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and the national professional organisations for chemistry, psychology, business, education, journalism, music, engineering, law, and medicine.

The university has received top rankings from US News, Wall Street Journal, and Times Higher Education. All significant ranking agencies, including QS and THE, have placed it among the top institutions in the world. Let's see some of the most recent Northwestern University rankings below. 

  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Universities Rankings 2021: #34
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - University Ranking 2022: #24
  • US News & World Report - National University Ranking 2022: #9

 

Course Rankings

Northwestern University offers a number of majors, including Neuroscience and Psychology, political science, econometrics, journalism, and Quantitive Economics. The Kellogg School of Management, the School of Education and Social Policy, and the Pritzker School of Law are some of Northwestern's most popular graduate schools. The university is highly known for its business programs and recruiters all around the world hold the uni in high regard for the same. Business courses offered by Northwestern have been ranked among the top business schools in the US by Bloomberg for four consecutive years.

Since 2018, QS has included it in a list of the top 15 global MBA programs. In a similar vein, for the past four years, US News has named it among the top 10 graduate business schools in the US. Engineering and Technology have increased in QS rankings, which heavily weigh academic quality and employer reputation of educational institutions. THE, on the other hand, places a greater emphasis on teaching, research, and citation, and it has slipped from 23rd place in 2018 to 30th place in 2023 in terms of PG Engineering and Technology rankings.

Business Courses

  • QS - Global MBA 2022: #16
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Business and Economics 2022: #13
  • US News & World Report - Entrepreneurship MBA 2022: #18
  • US News & World Report - Finance MBA 2022: #11
  • US News & World Report - Graduate Business School 2022: #4
  • US News & World Report - MBA Business Analytics 2022: #18
  • US News & World Report - Supply Chain Management MBA 2022: #17

 

Engineering Courses

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Engineering 2022: #38
  • US News & World Report - Best UG Biomedical Engineering Schools 2022: #15
  • US News & World Report - Biomedical Engineering PG 2022: #14
  • US News & World Report - Chemical Engineering PG 2022: #14
  • US News & World Report - Civil Engineering PG 2022: #14
  • US News & World Report - Electrical Engineering PG 2022: #20
  • US News & World Report - Mechanical Engineering PG 2022: #13
  • US News & World Report - UG Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engg 2022: #28
  • US News & World Report - UG Mechanical Engineering 2022: #16

 

Computer Courses

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Computer Science 2022: #86
  • US News & World Report - Computer Engineering PG 2022: #22
  • US News & World Report - UG Computer Engineering 2022: #27

 

Science Courses

  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Life Sciences Rankings 2022: #51
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - THE - Psychology Rankings 2022: #15
  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Mathematics Rankings 2021: #30
  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Physics Rankings 2021: #51-75
  • QS - Physics and Astronomy Rankings 2021: #51-100
  • QS - QS - Biological Sciences Rankings 2021: #51-100
  • QS - QS - Mathematics Rankings 2021: #51-100

 

Humanities Courses

  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Political Sciences Rankings 2021: #51-75
  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Sociology Ranking 2021: #20
  • QS - Communication and Media Studies Rankings 2021: #15
  • QS - Performing Arts Rankings 2021: #41
  • QS - Politics & International Studies Rankings: #51-100
  • QS - QS - Art & Design Rankings 2021: #151-200
  • QS - QS - Sociology Rankings 2021: #51-100
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Arts & Humanities Rankings 2022: #75

 

Medicine Courses

  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Nursing Rankings 2021: #201-300
  • QS - QS - Medicine Rankings 2021: #51-100
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - Clinical and Health Rankings 2022: #34
  • US News & World Report - Best Graduate Medical Schools 2022: #39

 

Law Courses

  • ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) - Shanghai Law Ranking 2021: #18
  • QS - QS - Law Rankings 2021: #49
  • THE (Times Higher Education) - THE - Law Rankings 2022: #45
    US News & World Report - Best Graduate Law Schools 2022: #12

Year

QS Ranks

US News Ranks

2023

#32

#24

2022

#30

#24

Facilities

When it comes to Northwestern University facilities; there is everything for everyone. Starting with accommodation; students who have a specific intellectual focus can choose between residential colleges and standard living halls at Northwestern. A fraternity or sorority is reportedly a member of 20% of undergraduates. 18 sororities and 21 fraternities are approved by Northwestern. The most renowned and significant student-run philanthropy in the country, Dance Marathon, is one of Northwestern's most noteworthy charitable events. The yearly 30-hour event is one of the campus's most well-attended occasions. Since 2011, it has consistently raised more than $1 million for charity. In terms of athletics, Northwestern is a founding member of the Big Ten Conference. It has the smallest undergraduate enrollment of any private university in the conference (the next-smallest member, the University of Iowa, is roughly three times as large, with almost 22,000 undergraduates).

 

In addition to many club sports, Northwestern fields 19 intercollegiate athletic teams (8 men's and 11 women's). Twelve of Northwestern's varsity teams have participated in a bowl or NCAA playoff competition. With a 98% NCAA Graduation Success Rate, Northwestern has the most significant rate among Football Bowl Subdivision institutions and is one of only five private AAU members to compete in NCAA Power Five conferences (the other four are Duke, Stanford, USC, and Vanderbilt).

Notable Alumni

David Schwimmer
David Schwimmer
American Actor
Patricia Neal
Patricia Neal
American Actress
Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers
American Comedian

Courses

Admission

Acceptance Rate

Northwestern University's acceptance rate is 9%, indicating that the admissions procedure is fairly demanding. This evidently means that just 9 out of every 100 candidates get accepted. Meeting the university's minimal GPA standards is one of the most important criteria for admission. Aside from minimal grade point averages, the institution considers extracurricular activities, essays, recommendation letters, and other aspects. Additionally, Northwestern also considers SAT/ACT scores as a major element of admissions selections. Personal statements are another critical component that applicants should carefully draft and submit. All in all, despite its low acceptance rate, Northwestern considers every component of a student's overall application when admitting students.

Northwestern University Entry Requirements

Northwestern University's 10 schools collectively provide 130+ programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, organised into 83 majors within 23 general fields of study. Notably, the class profile reveals that 73% of undergraduate students have merged more than two fields of study. Let’s see the Northwestern University entry requirements in the section below. 

Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

  • Online common application
  • An application fee of 75 USD
  • School transcripts
  • LOR from one tutor
  • Mid-year transcripts
  • Early Decision Agreement

 

Graduate Admissions

  • Common online application
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Standardised test scores
  • Uploaded Transcripts
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Resume
  • GRE or GMAT score (depending on the course)
  • GPA 4.1 or higher

 

Northwestern University English Proficiency Requirements

An English proficiency score is necessary for candidates whose first/primary language is not English or for those who have not completed secondary school in English. These language proficiency results cannot be self-reported; they must be submitted formally as part of the application through the relevant testing organisation. Official exam scores from the following tests are accepted by Northwestern - IELTS, TOEFL iBT, and the Duolingo English Test (DET). In order to secure admission to the institution, candidates must meet the minimum Northwestern University IELTS requirements or any other accepted tests. 

 

Northwestern University Fees

The university wants to lower the cost as a barrier to higher education so it doesn't matter what your financial situation is; you will get financial aid. Beginning with financial aid that fully satisfies each student's proven financial need, Northwestern is committed to making education accessible to everyone. There is no debt associated with Northwestern University's financial assistance awards because they are not loans. In fact, they are one of the few need-blind institutions that can cover all documented needs without the need for loans. 61% of undergraduate students receive financial aid. Budget for financial assistance of $200 million or more (2021-22 and the typical first-year scholarship is $57,000. Check out the Northwestern University fees for popular courses below. 

  • M.S Project Management: $71,860 
  • M.B.A: $120,229
  • M.S Artificial Intelligence: $87,650
  • M.S Analytics: $84,130
  • M.A Clinical Psychology: $61,128
  • M.S Robotics: $88,538 

Placement

Northwestern University graduates were hired for a variety of positions in many businesses. The average earnings varied depending on the various industries. The Northwestern University placements are divided amongst its various colleges and have industry placements for all the major courses. The 2020 industry placements and average wages are shown in the table below.

Industry

Average Salary 

Consulting

$78,283

Financial Services 

$78,750

Investment Banking

$82,789

Engineering

$83,703

Technology

$86,658

 

Scholarship

Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by Northwestern University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the Northwestern University through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
 

  • Merit-based scholarships
  • Need-based scholarships
  • Country-specific scholarships
  • College-specific scholarships
  • Student-specific scholarships

Finances

Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!

Accommodation

There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend Northwestern University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.

 

UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodation near the Northwestern University, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.

Cost of Living

When compared to the average American state; the cost of living in Evanston is 20% higher. This means that the cost of living in Evanston is not an affordable affair, but that doesn't mean that students should miss the chance to study in this popular and opportunity-filled city. We advise students to look for financial aid to support their education costs as well as accommodation expenses. To get an estimate; check out the costs of essential items in the table below. 

 

Items

Cost (Monthly)

Off-Campus Accommodation 

$1,297

On-Campus Accommodation

$1,396

Transportation

$129

Food Cost

$327

Utility Cost

$95

Entertainment

$60

Groceries

$44

Clothes

$103

Health Insurance

$80

Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation 

$2,135

Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation 

$2,234

Annual Cost of Living

$25,620

FAQs