Northwestern University
PrivateEvanston, IL
Northwestern University is a private large school in Evanston, IL, enrolling about 9,201 undergraduates. It's highly selective, admitting about 8% of applicants. Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services graduates, especially in Information Science/Studies, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $163,740/year. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
Where do you stand against Northwestern University's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow Northwestern University weighs your application
From Northwestern University's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what Northwestern University weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does Northwestern University look for in applicants?
Per Northwestern University's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates extracurricular activities, character/personal qualities, recommendations, talent/ability, rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, application essay as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is Northwestern University's acceptance rate?
Northwestern University in Evanston, IL admits approximately 8% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for Northwestern University?
Admitted students at Northwestern University typically score between 1510–1570 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for Northwestern University?
Admitted students at Northwestern University typically score between 33–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does Northwestern University cost?
Northwestern University's total cost of attendance is reported at $91,250 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
When is the application deadline for Northwestern University?
Northwestern University's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.
Does Northwestern University require students to live on campus?
No -- Northwestern University doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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