Northwestern University
Evanston, United States
- Cost of Living$ 23,520
- Tuition Fee From$ 43,100
- Country Rank-
- 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.
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
Ranking
One of the best universities in the country, Northwestern University is a sizable residential research university. US News and World Report of 2024 has ranked Northwestern University at #9 in the National Universities list. The university was also ranked at #15 in Best Value Schools in 2024. Lastly, we see Northwestern appearing in the Most Innovative Schools category at #34.
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.
- #31 - In the World - EduRank 2024
- #27 - In North America - EduRank 2024
- #25 - In the United States - EduRank 2024
- #3 - In Illinois - EduRank 2024
- #15 - Best Colleges in America - Niche 2024
- #15 - Top Private Universities in America - Niche 2024
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.
- #10 - For Nanotechnology - EduRank 2024
- #14 - For Sports Medicine - EduRank 2024
- #15 - For Audiology - EduRank 2024
- #4 - Best Colleges for Public Policy in America - Niche 2024
- #6 - Best Colleges for Economics in America - Niche 2024
- #8 - Best Colleges for Psychology in America - Niche 2024
- #10 - Best Colleges for Religious Studies in America - Niche 2024
- #14 - Best Colleges for International Relations in America - Niche 2024
- #15 - Best Colleges for Business in America - Niche 2024
- #17 - Best Colleges for Biology in America - Niche 2024
- #17 - Best Colleges for History in America - Niche 2024
- #19 - Best Colleges for Anthropology and Sociology in America - Niche 2024
- #19 - Best Colleges for Art in America - Niche 2024
- #19 - Best Colleges for Chemistry in America - Niche 2024
- #21 - Best Colleges for Computer Science in America - Niche 2024
- #23 - Best Colleges for Political Science in America - Niche 2024
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2025
#50
-
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
Courses
Admission
Acceptance Rate
Northwestern University has an acceptance rate of 7% for 2024 applicants. It is among the top 1% of the most difficult universities to gain admission to in the United States.
Northwestern University continues to maintain its status as a highly selective institution, attracting top-tier applicants from across the globe. While the overall acceptance rate hovered around 6.8%, early-decision applicants enjoyed a slightly higher rate of 8.9%. Conversely, regular decision applicants faced a more challenging 6.2% acceptance rate. Over the past five years, the university has witnessed a moderate increase in its early decision acceptance rates, indicating a strategic effort to secure talented students through this pathway.
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
Northwestern University takes pride in satisfying the 100% demonstrated need for all admitted students. The university does this with loan-free financial aid packaging. Over 60% of the undergraduate students at Northwestern University receive some kind of financial assistance.
Northwestern University recorded over 200 million USD offered in need-based financial aid in an academic year. A limited amount of need-based financial aid is available to international students at Northwestern University. Some popular scholarships in the USA for international students are as follows:
|
Name Of The Scholarship |
Amount |
|
Northwestern Scholarship |
$48,328 - $74,465 |
|
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships |
$25,000 |
|
Founders Scholarship |
Varies |
|
National Overseas Scholarship |
Varies |
|
Karr Achievement Scholarship |
$2,282 per year |
|
KC Mahindra Scholarship |
5 lakhs |
Irrespective of your chosen programme of study, Northwestern University, along with other organisations like UniScholars, offers numerous scholarship opportunities. With the abundance of scholarships currently accessible, international students can markedly alleviate the financial challenges of studying abroad. Consider applying for scholarships to pursue studies at the university through UniScholars.
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 |