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Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a private campus in Evanston proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. International students are a visible presence at Northwestern University — 11.6% of its 9,201 undergraduates come from outside the U.S.

Compare this schoolFind colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$1,243
family income
under $30k
$3,373
$30–48k
$6,485
$48–75k
$14,059
$75–110k
$48,837
over $110k

Average net price

$29,1672023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$24k$26k$28k200820232008: $29,3442009: $29,3322010: $28,1462011: $29,3372012: $28,5442013: $27,2912014: $28,1552015: $26,4232016: $24,0472017: $24,8402018: $24,6642019: $23,2792020: $27,5102021: $25,0572022: $27,1432023: $29,167$29,167
$24k$26k$28k200820232008: $29,3442009: $29,3322010: $28,1462011: $29,3372012: $28,5442013: $27,2912014: $28,1552015: $26,4232016: $24,0472017: $24,8402018: $24,6642019: $23,2792020: $27,5102021: $25,0572022: $27,1432023: $29,167$29,167

Average net price at Northwestern University has wandered from 2008 to 2023 — up to $29,344 at the peak — but ends near where it began, at $29,167.

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$29,344
2009$29,332
2010$28,146
2011$29,337
2012$28,544
2013$27,291
2014$28,155
2015$26,423
2016$24,047
2017$24,840
2018$24,664
2019$23,279
2020$27,510
2021$25,057
2022$27,143
2023$29,167
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$91,2502024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$50k$60k$70k$80k$90k200920242009: $52,0802010: $53,9832011: $56,4062012: $58,8292013: $60,7292014: $63,0282015: $65,4362016: $67,8872017: $70,3172018: $72,9602019: $74,6302020: $78,6542021: $80,3382022: $83,8032023: $87,8042024: $91,250$91,250
$60k$80k200920242009: $52,0802010: $53,9832011: $56,4062012: $58,8292013: $60,7292014: $63,0282015: $65,4362016: $67,8872017: $70,3172018: $72,9602019: $74,6302020: $78,6542021: $80,3382022: $83,8032023: $87,8042024: $91,250$91,250

Total cost at Northwestern University rose from $52,080 (2009) to $91,250 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$52,080
2010$53,983
2011$56,406
2012$58,829
2013$60,729
2014$63,028
2015$65,436
2016$67,887
2017$70,317
2018$72,960
2019$74,630
2020$78,654
2021$80,338
2022$83,803
2023$87,804
2024$91,250
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition & fees

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

$20k$30k$40k$50k$60k200020232000: $24,6482001: $25,8392002: $27,2282003: $28,5242004: $30,0852005: $31,7892006: $33,4082007: $35,4292008: $37,1252013: $45,5272014: $47,2512015: $49,0472016: $50,8552017: $52,6782018: $54,5682019: $56,6912020: $58,7012021: $60,7682022: $63,4682023: $65,997$65,997
$20k$40k$60k200020232000: $24,6482001: $25,8392002: $27,2282003: $28,5242004: $30,0852005: $31,7892006: $33,4082007: $35,4292008: $37,1252013: $45,5272014: $47,2512015: $49,0472016: $50,8552017: $52,6782018: $54,5682019: $56,6912020: $58,7012021: $60,7682022: $63,4682023: $65,997$65,997

Tuition & fees — data
YearTuition & fees
2000$24,648
2001$25,839
2002$27,228
2003$28,524
2004$30,085
2005$31,789
2006$33,408
2007$35,429
2008$37,125
2013$45,527
2014$47,251
2015$49,047
2016$50,855
2017$52,678
2018$54,568
2019$56,691
2020$58,701
2021$60,768
2022$63,468
2023$65,997
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

Reported tuition is $68,322 before grants and other attendance costs. At Northwestern University, aid and other costs change the bill. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

At 9,201 undergrads, Northwestern University is a mid-sized campus by U.S. standards.

95.1% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at Northwestern University within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
95.1%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

90%92%94%96%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 90.4%entered 1992: 90.5%entered 1993: 91.8%entered 1994: 92.1%entered 1995: 91.6%entered 1996: 93.1%entered 1997: 93.1%entered 1998: 92.1%entered 1999: 93.3%entered 2000: 92.8%entered 2001: 92.9%entered 2002: 93.5%entered 2003: 95.2%entered 2004: 94.4%entered 2005: 93.6%entered 2006: 93%entered 2007: 94.2%entered 2008: 93.3%entered 2009: 92.8%entered 2010: 93.5%entered 2011: 93.8%entered 2012: 94.6%entered 2013: 93.8%entered 2014: 95%entered 2015: 95.2%entered 2016: 96.5%entered 2017: 95.9%entered 2018: 95.1%95.1%
90%92%94%96%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 90.4%entered 1992: 90.5%entered 1993: 91.8%entered 1994: 92.1%entered 1995: 91.6%entered 1996: 93.1%entered 1997: 93.1%entered 1998: 92.1%entered 1999: 93.3%entered 2000: 92.8%entered 2001: 92.9%entered 2002: 93.5%entered 2003: 95.2%entered 2004: 94.4%entered 2005: 93.6%entered 2006: 93%entered 2007: 94.2%entered 2008: 93.3%entered 2009: 92.8%entered 2010: 93.5%entered 2011: 93.8%entered 2012: 94.6%entered 2013: 93.8%entered 2014: 95%entered 2015: 95.2%entered 2016: 96.5%entered 2017: 95.9%entered 2018: 95.1%95.1%

The six-year graduation rate at Northwestern University has held near 95.1% from Fall 1991 to Fall 2018 entering cohorts.

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort90.4%
1992 cohort90.5%
1993 cohort91.8%
1994 cohort92.1%
1995 cohort91.6%
1996 cohort93.1%
1997 cohort93.1%
1998 cohort92.1%
1999 cohort93.3%
2000 cohort92.8%
2001 cohort92.9%
2002 cohort93.5%
2003 cohort95.2%
2004 cohort94.4%
2005 cohort93.6%
2006 cohort93%
2007 cohort94.2%
2008 cohort93.3%
2009 cohort92.8%
2010 cohort93.5%
2011 cohort93.8%
2012 cohort94.6%
2013 cohort93.8%
2014 cohort95%
2015 cohort95.2%
2016 cohort96.5%
2017 cohort95.9%
2018 cohort95.1%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$5k$10k$15kLeft school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $11,359Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $12,080Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,829Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $12,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $12,650Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $12,667Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $12,674Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $12,667Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $13,000Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $14,513Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $15,101Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $16,167Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $16,744Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $16,905Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $18,000Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $17,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $15,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $15,500Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $15,000Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $15,000$15,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $10,900Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $10,900Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $10,750Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $10,345Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $7,407Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $8,311Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $7,750Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $6,800Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $7,313Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $6,060Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $6,625Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,332Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,625Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $10,160Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,348Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $9,095Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,667Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $7,917Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $9,000$9,000 left
$5k$10k$15kLeft school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $11,359Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $12,080Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $11,625Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $11,829Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $12,125Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $12,650Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $12,667Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $12,674Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $12,667Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $13,000Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $14,513Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $15,101Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $16,167Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $16,744Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $16,905Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $18,000Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $17,500Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $15,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $15,500Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $15,000Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $15,000$15,000 completedLeft school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00): $10,900Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01): $10,900Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02): $10,750Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03): $10,345Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04): $7,407Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05): $8,311Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $7,750Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $6,800Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08): $7,313Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $6,000Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $6,060Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $6,625Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $6,332Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,625Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $10,160Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $9,348Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $9,095Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $8,667Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $7,917Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $9,000$9,000 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 (FY1999/00)—$10,900
Left school in fiscal years 2000 and 2001 (FY2000/01)$11,359$10,900
Left school in fiscal years 2001 and 2002 (FY2001/02)$12,080$10,750
Left school in fiscal years 2002 and 2003 (FY2002/03)$11,625$10,345
Left school in fiscal years 2003 and 2004 (FY2003/04)$11,829$7,407
Left school in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 (FY2004/05)$12,125$8,311
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)$12,650$7,750
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)$12,667$6,800
Left school in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 (FY2007/08)$12,674$7,313
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$12,667$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$13,000$6,000
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$14,513$6,060
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$15,101$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$16,167$6,332
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$16,744$6,625
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$16,905$10,160
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$18,000$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$17,500$9,348
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$15,000$9,095
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$15,500$8,667
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$15,000$7,917
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$15,000$9,000
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$76,844
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$83,487
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$89,363
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

Northwestern University admitted 3,806 of 49,474 applicants in Fall 2024. The 7.7% rate describes that application pool.

7.7%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$65,997 tuition · 2023–249,201 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Test-optional (considered) · Fall 2024
400SAT range (section 25th/75th sums): 1510–15701600

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

In the Fall 2024 cycle, Northwestern University received 49,474 applications and admitted 3,806 (7.7%), with 2,105 enrolling.

Northwestern University reported scores as considered but not required for the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. For Northwestern University’s enrolled SAT submitters, Reading and Writing was 740–770 and Math was 770–800 (25th–75th percentiles). The section-percentile sums 1510–1570 are not composite-score percentiles. These are not admission cutoffs.

Check current requirements with admissions.

Score25th50th75th
SAT Reading & Writing740760770
SAT Math770780800
ACT Composite333435

25th / 75th: a quarter of enrolled submitters scored below the first number, a quarter above the second. These are not cutoffs.

Only students who submitted scores are counted — at test-optional schools, many enrolled students aren't in this table.

Percentiles are among enrolled students who submitted scores (Fall 2024 admissions cycle).

Acceptance rate

7.7%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

10%20%30%200120242001: 32.8%2002: 34.2%2003: 32.9%2004: 33.3%2005: 29.9%2006: 29.7%2007: 29.6%2008: 26.8%2009: 26.2%2010: 27.2%2011: 23.1%2012: 18%2013: 15.3%2014: 13.1%2015: 13%2016: 10.7%2017: 9.2%2018: 8.5%2019: 9%2020: 9.3%2021: 7%2022: 7.2%2023: 7.1%2024: 7.7%7.7%
10%20%30%200120242001: 32.8%2002: 34.2%2003: 32.9%2004: 33.3%2005: 29.9%2006: 29.7%2007: 29.6%2008: 26.8%2009: 26.2%2010: 27.2%2011: 23.1%2012: 18%2013: 15.3%2014: 13.1%2015: 13%2016: 10.7%2017: 9.2%2018: 8.5%2019: 9%2020: 9.3%2021: 7%2022: 7.2%2023: 7.1%2024: 7.7%7.7%

Read Northwestern University's change from 32.8% to 7.7% as a share of applications, not an explanation of admissions decisions. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200132.8%
Fall 200234.2%
Fall 200332.9%
Fall 200433.3%
Fall 200529.9%
Fall 200629.7%
Fall 200729.6%
Fall 200826.8%
Fall 200926.2%
Fall 201027.2%
Fall 201123.1%
Fall 201218%
Fall 201315.3%
Fall 201413.1%
Fall 201513%
Fall 201610.7%
Fall 20179.2%
Fall 20188.5%
Fall 20199%
Fall 20209.3%
Fall 20217%
Fall 20227.2%
Fall 20237.1%
Fall 20247.7%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1510–1570Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA1300140015002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 12902002: 13002003: 13002004: 13102005: 13202006: 13202007: 13202008: 13502009: 13602010: 13602011: 13802012: 13802013: 13902014: 13902015: 14002016: 14002017: 14202018: 14302019: 14402020: 14302021: 14602022: 14902023: 14902024: 151015102001: 14702002: 14802003: 14802004: 14802005: 15002006: 15002007: 15002008: 15202009: 15302010: 15302011: 15302012: 15402013: 15502014: 15602015: 15602016: 15602017: 15602018: 15502019: 15502020: 15502021: 15602022: 15702023: 15602024: 15701570
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA1300140015002016 REDESIGN2001202420162001: 12902002: 13002003: 13002004: 13102005: 13202006: 13202007: 13202008: 13502009: 13602010: 13602011: 13802012: 13802013: 13902014: 13902015: 14002016: 14002017: 14202018: 14302019: 14402020: 14302021: 14602022: 14902023: 14902024: 151015102001: 14702002: 14802003: 14802004: 14802005: 15002006: 15002007: 15002008: 15202009: 15302010: 15302011: 15302012: 15402013: 15502014: 15602015: 15602016: 15602017: 15602018: 15502019: 15502020: 15502021: 15602022: 15702023: 15602024: 15701570

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 200112901470
Fall 200213001480
Fall 200313001480
Fall 200413101480
Fall 200513201500
Fall 200613201500
Fall 200713201500
Fall 200813501520
Fall 200913601530
Fall 201013601530
Fall 201113801530
Fall 201213801540
Fall 201313901550
Fall 201413901560
Fall 201514001560
Fall 201614001560
Fall 201714201560
Fall 201814301550
Fall 201914401550
Fall 202014301550
Fall 202114601560
Fall 202214901570
Fall 202314901560
Fall 202415101570
IPEDS Fall 2001–2024, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

33–35Fall 2024 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA28303234200320242003: 282004: 292005: 292006: 292007: 292008: 302009: 302010: 312011: 312012: 312013: 312014: 312015: 312016: 322017: 322018: 332019: 332020: 332021: 332022: 332023: 332024: 33332003: 332004: 332005: 332006: 332007: 332008: 342009: 332010: 332011: 332012: 342013: 342014: 342015: 342016: 342017: 342018: 352019: 352020: 352021: 352022: 352023: 352024: 3535
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA3035200320242003: 282004: 292005: 292006: 292007: 292008: 302009: 302010: 312011: 312012: 312013: 312014: 312015: 312016: 322017: 322018: 332019: 332020: 332021: 332022: 332023: 332024: 33332003: 332004: 332005: 332006: 332007: 332008: 342009: 332010: 332011: 332012: 342013: 342014: 342015: 342016: 342017: 342018: 352019: 352020: 352021: 352022: 352023: 352024: 3535

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20032833
Fall 20042933
Fall 20052933
Fall 20062933
Fall 20072933
Fall 20083034
Fall 20093033
Fall 20103133
Fall 20113133
Fall 20123134
Fall 20133134
Fall 20143134
Fall 20153134
Fall 20163234
Fall 20173234
Fall 20183335
Fall 20193335
Fall 20203335
Fall 20213335
Fall 20223335
Fall 20233335
Fall 20243335
IPEDS Fall 2003–2024, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

9,201Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

8k9k9k9k9k200220242002: 8,1612003: 8,2282004: 8,5012005: 8,2902006: 8,4542007: 8,5492008: 8,7042009: 8,9052010: 8,9472011: 8,9912012: 8,9362013: 8,8552014: 8,7252015: 8,5762016: 8,5632017: 8,4892018: 8,4512019: 8,5302020: 8,4012021: 8,6912022: 8,8372023: 8,9602024: 9,2019,201
9k9k200220242002: 8,1612003: 8,2282004: 8,5012005: 8,2902006: 8,4542007: 8,5492008: 8,7042009: 8,9052010: 8,9472011: 8,9912012: 8,9362013: 8,8552014: 8,7252015: 8,5762016: 8,5632017: 8,4892018: 8,4512019: 8,5302020: 8,4012021: 8,6912022: 8,8372023: 8,9602024: 9,2019,201

Undergraduate enrollment at Northwestern University rose from 8,161 (Fall 2002) to 9,201 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 20028,161
Fall 20038,228
Fall 20048,501
Fall 20058,290
Fall 20068,454
Fall 20078,549
Fall 20088,704
Fall 20098,905
Fall 20108,947
Fall 20118,991
Fall 20128,936
Fall 20138,855
Fall 20148,725
Fall 20158,576
Fall 20168,563
Fall 20178,489
Fall 20188,451
Fall 20198,530
Fall 20208,401
Fall 20218,691
Fall 20228,837
Fall 20238,960
Fall 20249,201
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

98%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

96%97%98%99%200220232002: 97%2003: 98%2004: 97%2005: 97%2006: 96%2007: 97%2008: 97%2009: 96%2010: 97%2011: 96%2012: 98%2013: 97%2014: 97%2015: 98%2016: 98%2017: 97%2018: 98%2019: 97%2020: 99%2021: 98%2022: 97%2023: 98%98%
96%97%98%99%200220232002: 97%2003: 98%2004: 97%2005: 97%2006: 96%2007: 97%2008: 97%2009: 96%2010: 97%2011: 96%2012: 98%2013: 97%2014: 97%2015: 98%2016: 98%2017: 97%2018: 98%2019: 97%2020: 99%2021: 98%2022: 97%2023: 98%98%

First-year retention at Northwestern University has held near 98% from Fall 2002 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2002 cohort97%
Fall 2003 cohort98%
Fall 2004 cohort97%
Fall 2005 cohort97%
Fall 2006 cohort96%
Fall 2007 cohort97%
Fall 2008 cohort97%
Fall 2009 cohort96%
Fall 2010 cohort97%
Fall 2011 cohort96%
Fall 2012 cohort98%
Fall 2013 cohort97%
Fall 2014 cohort97%
Fall 2015 cohort98%
Fall 2016 cohort98%
Fall 2017 cohort97%
Fall 2018 cohort98%
Fall 2019 cohort97%
Fall 2020 cohort99%
Fall 2021 cohort98%
Fall 2022 cohort97%
Fall 2023 cohort98%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2002–2023
More about Northwestern University

18.6% of Northwestern University's undergraduates carry Pell grants — the standard federal marker of lower-income enrollment. Carnegie classes Northwestern University as a primarily residential campus of 9,201 undergraduates — and 98.1% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

Northwestern University's SAT section-percentile sums are 1510–1570 — their midpoint is above the IL four-year benchmark. These are not total-score percentiles. Put your own practice estimate on Northwestern University's range with the SAT calculator, or bring a saved GPA from the grade tools.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How Northwestern University compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

Northwestern University7.7%
Illinois median77%
National median76.8%

Tuition

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

Northwestern University$68,322
Illinois median$31,360
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

Northwestern University's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

Northwestern University$89,363
Illinois median$58,572
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
Northwestern University, Illinois and national reference values
Metric & basisNorthwestern UniversityIllinois medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS7.7%77%76.8%
TuitionScorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$68,322$31,360$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$89,363$58,572$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For Northwestern University, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

Northwestern University federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 30 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Information Science/Studies$163,740
Computer Science$155,106
Applied Mathematics$148,740
Industrial Engineering$138,720
Economics$126,006
Statistics$122,682
Chemical Engineering$111,040
Human Resources Management and Services$108,498
Mathematics$107,072
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$102,994
Mechanical Engineering$98,277
Manufacturing Engineering$97,819
Communication and Media Studies$93,541
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$93,180
Community Organization and Advocacy$84,712
Journalism$80,258
History$78,966
Public Policy Analysis$78,752
Sociology$75,267
International Relations and National Security Studies$74,477
Psychology, General$73,646
Political Science and Government$73,231
Biology, General$71,181
Psychology, Other$62,905
English Language and Literature, General$62,147
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$59,372
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$54,279
Music$53,875
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$51,471
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$49,316

These 30 fields listed for Northwestern University measure earnings after completion. The $89,363 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 55 additional Northwestern University fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does Northwestern University report?

Northwestern University's enrolled submitters had SAT section-percentile sums of 1510–1570 in Fall 2024. These are not total-score percentiles or a GPA requirement.

What is Northwestern University's acceptance rate?

7.7% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 3,806 admitted from 49,474 applicants.

How much does Northwestern University cost?

At Northwestern University, tuition is $68,322. Tuition is not the total cost of attendance; aid can reduce your bill.

What earnings data does Northwestern University report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $89,363. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

Similar colleges in Illinois

Run your own numbers

Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

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