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← University explorer
- World ranking
- =45QS 2027Source
- Tuition · international
- $64,887per year · 2023
- Acceptance rate
- 7.7%2024
About Northwestern University
Northwestern was founded in 1851 by a group of Methodist leaders, including John Evans, to serve the former Northwest Territory, and it began classes in 1855 in Evanston, on Lake Michigan just north of Chicago. Its medical and law schools are on a second campus in downtown Chicago, and it has a branch campus in Doha, Qatar. It is known for journalism, communication, management and engineering.
At a glance
- Students
- 23,203
- Founded
- 1851
- Type
- Private
- Campus
- Suburban
Evanston, United States42.041, -87.690
Open on mapRankings
- QSQS=45World · 2027Source
- THETHE#30World · 2026Source
- CWURCWUR#15World · 2026United States #12Source
- ARWUARWU#31World · 2026Source
- NCSES HERDNCSES HERD#28United States and outlying areas · Total R&D expenditures · 2024Source
- URAPURAP#63World · 2025United States #17Source
Admissions & how to apply
- Check the entry requirements for your course and qualifications.
- Apply on the university’s own application page.
- Pay the application fee ($75).
Application fee
- Per application$75Source
Costs & aid
International tuition$64,887per year · 2023
- Fees$1,110
- Room & board2023$20,334
US net price$34,420
What US families pay after grants, by household income. International students usually pay the full price.
SourceProgrammes
…
Campus & media
Outcomes
- Admit rate
- 7.7%
- SAT average
- 1533
- ACT middle
- 35
- Graduate in 4 years
- 85.3%
- Graduate in 6 years
- 96.1%
- Return after year one
- 98.1%
- Pell grant students
- 21.4%
- Students with federal loans
- 18.2%
- Median debt
- $17,017
Median earnings after starting
Student body
US government and university data. Figures describe past students, not your own chances. Source
Guides for applying to United States
- Entering Senior Year: What I Wish I Knew as a First-YearHarvard College · Student Voices
- How To Write A College EssayMIT Admissions
- How Studying Abroad Influenced My Career GoalsHarvard College · Student Voices
- Advice For Crafting Your Supplemental EssayJohns Hopkins Undergraduate Admissions · Hopkins Insider