Evanston, IL
Northwestern University is a private nonprofit university with an acceptance rate of 7.7% and undergraduate enrollment of 9,201. The student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1, with a 6-year graduation rate of 95.5%. The cost of attendance is $94,878, and the median earnings 10 years after enrollment are $89,363.
Northwestern University is highly selective with a 7.7% acceptance rate and an undergraduate enrollment of 9,201 students. The university maintains a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio and reports a 95.5% six-year graduation rate.
Not reported reliably. Northwestern University files 100% in all three class-rank bands, which describes no distribution of the class, so the profile is not shown.
| Applied | Admitted | Rate | Enrolled | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men | 24,511 | 1,705 | 7% | 965 |
| Women | 27,258 | 1,998 | 7.3% | 1,146 |
Northwestern University admits 7.7% of applicants — a typical similar college admits 74%.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Northwestern's cost of attendance is $94,878 annually, while the average net price is $29,167, meaning students typically pay considerably less than the sticker price.
Graduates who borrowed carry a median monthly repayment of about $159.
After aid, Northwestern University costs $29,167 a year — about 29% more than a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Northwestern University has a 95.5% six-year graduation rate. Graduates earn a median of $76,844 six years after enrollment and $89,363 ten years after enrollment.
| Major | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 238 |
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia | 165 |
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General | 137 |
| Computer Science | 120 |
| Information Science/Studies | 110 |
| Neuroscience | 110 |
| Psychology, General | 93 |
| Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General | 91 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 78 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 77 |
Median earnings eight years after entering Northwestern University are $83,487, and 85% of former students earn more than $25,000 six years after entry.
Six years after entry, former Northwestern University students earn $76,844 — 69% more than at a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Northwestern University is a private nonprofit institution with 9,201 undergraduates and competes as an NCAA Division I-FBS school, generating $16.4 million in athletic revenue annually.
Average head coach salary by program gender.
Graduate and professional students outnumber undergraduates here, which shapes class sizes, housing and campus life in ways an undergraduate figure alone doesn't show.
487 of 8,732 undergraduates, counting each athlete once regardless of how many sports they play.
0 of 9,157 undergraduates study entirely at a distance, against 958 of 14,046 graduate students.
Northwestern University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and operates its own medical school.
Northwestern University spends $25,088 per student on research — about 4× a typical similar college.
Each bar is the median of that group, with the number of schools in brackets. “Similar colleges” means the same control and the same predominant degree awarded. Groups of fewer than 15 schools are not shown.
Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL, in what IPEDS classifies as a small city setting. The campus sits about 0.8 miles from the center of Evanston. There are 30 other colleges within 25 miles, and Chicago, IL is 14.7 miles away.
Cook County scores 13.6 out of 20 on the EPA National Walkability Index — above average walkable. The index is a county-wide average of block groups, so it describes the surrounding area rather than the campus itself.
Undergraduates make up about 12.3% of Evanston's residents.
Every college that receives federal financial aid must publish its crime statistics each year under the Clery Act. These are the figures Northwestern University reported for 2024.
Read these numbers carefully. A Clery figure counts reports, not incidents. A university with active reporting channels, a large campus police force and a teaching hospital will record more offenses than one where the same events go unreported — so a higher count is not evidence of a more dangerous campus, and a low count is not evidence of a safe one. In 2024, 833 campuses with more than 1,000 students reported no offenses at all. Use these figures to ask a college questions, not to rank one against another.
Separately, Northwestern University reported 135 disciplinary referrals for weapons, drug and liquor law violations on campus. Referrals for alcohol violations are usually the largest category at residential colleges and reflect how a school handles student conduct internally.
Common questions about Northwestern University admissions, costs, and outcomes.
Northwestern has an acceptance rate of 7.7%, making it highly selective. This means admission is competitive, and successful applicants typically have strong academic credentials and meaningful achievements beyond the classroom.
The total cost of attendance at Northwestern is $94,878 per year, which includes tuition, fees, room, board, and other expenses. This is the sticker price before financial aid is applied.
Yes, Northwestern meets demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Approximately 18.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, indicating the university enrolls low-income students and provides aid packages to make attendance affordable.
Northwestern's 6-year graduation rate is 95.5%. Notably, graduation rates are nearly identical for Pell Grant recipients (93.7%) and non-Pell students (93.8%), showing consistent support across income levels.
Northwestern graduates earn a median of $76,844 six years after enrollment and $89,363 ten years after enrollment. These earnings reflect strong career outcomes across Northwestern's diverse academic programs.
Northwestern has an undergraduate enrollment of 9,201 students, making it a mid-sized university. The 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures personalized attention and meaningful interactions with professors.
Women comprise 54.3% of Northwestern's undergraduate population, while men make up the remaining percentage. This near-equal distribution creates a balanced campus community.
First-generation college students represent 15.2% of Northwestern's undergraduate population. The university actively supports these students' transition and success through dedicated programs and resources.
Northwestern combines a strong liberal arts education with professional schools, including journalism, business, and engineering. Its significant $11 billion endowment ensures robust financial resources, and NCAA Division I-FBS athletics foster vibrant campus engagement.
Northwestern competes at NCAA Division I-FBS level with an annual athletic revenue of $16.4 million, supporting varsity sports and recreational opportunities. This Division I status attracts talented student-athletes while maintaining academic excellence.