Northwestern University : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Northwestern University
Perched on Lake Michigan, the campus pairs serious scholarship with creative spark. Northwestern is known for strength in the sciences, social sciences, arts, communication, and business, with room to mix fields. Students tap libraries, labs, studios, makerspaces, plus advising, wellness care, tutoring, and a career center. The vibe is collaborative and driven, not stiff. Think purple pride, a walk under the arch, and late-night crews painting the Rock.
Student life runs from rehearsals and student media to lakefront rec and spirited athletics, capped by a student-run music festival. Evanston's coffee shops, beaches, and nonprofits sit right next door, and Chicago's internships, theaters, and tech and finance scenes are a quick train ride away. Career prep leans practical, with research, internships, alumni mentors, and campus recruiting. Alumni include Stephen Colbert, Meghan Markle, and David Schwimmer.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Northwestern University offers 165 degree programs across 26 major academic fields, graduating approximately 9,738 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (8 programs, 2,731 graduates), Engineering (15 programs, 860 graduates), Communication (6 programs, 772 graduates), Health (19 programs, 728 graduates) and Law (4 programs, 664 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (8 programs, 2,731 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Science | 1,745 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
52.1301 |
| Finance, General | 361 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Master's
|
52.0801 |
| Business Administration and Management | 217 |
|
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Marketing Management | 178 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.1401 |
| Business Administration | 93 |
|
Master's
|
52.0101 |
| Business Economics | 52 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52.0601 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 46 |
|
Master's
|
52.1399 |
| Organizational Behavior | 39 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.1003 |
Engineering (15 programs, 860 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 142 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 131 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0501 |
| Engineering | 87 |
|
Master's
|
14.9999 |
| Materials Engineering | 86 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1801 |
| Industrial Engineering | 80 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.3501 |
| Civil Engineering | 79 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0801 |
| Computer Engineering | 79 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0901 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 66 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1001 |
| Chemical Engineering | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0701 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 16 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.3601 |
| Environmental Health Engineering | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.1401 |
| Engineering Physics | 8 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1201 |
| Operations Research | 5 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.3701 |
| General Engineering | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0101 |
| Engineering Mechanics | 3 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1101 |
Communication (6 programs, 772 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 607 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
09.0702 |
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 87 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
09.0101 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0701 |
| Sports Communication | 7 |
|
Post-Master's
|
09.0906 |
| Health Communication | 2 |
|
Master's
|
09.0905 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
09.0199 |
Health (19 programs, 728 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicine | 141 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.1201 |
| Physical Therapy | 87 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 75 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0203 |
| Public Health | 66 |
|
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| International Public Health | 54 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2210 |
| Orthotist and Prosthetist | 43 |
|
Master's
|
51.2307 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | 40 |
|
Master's
|
51.1505 |
| Physician Assistant | 35 |
|
Master's
|
51.0912 |
| Medical Science | 32 |
|
Master's
|
51.1401 |
| Health and Wellness | 29 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0001 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0201 |
| Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology | 21 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.0204 |
| Medical Informatics | 18 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.2706 |
| Genetic Counseling | 17 |
|
Master's
|
51.1509 |
| Pre-Medicine | 14 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.1102 |
| Health Information Administration | 11 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0706 |
| Health and Medical Administration | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
51.0799 |
| Health and Medical Preparatory Programs | 4 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.1199 |
| Bioethics and Medical Ethics | 3 |
|
Master's
|
51.3201 |
Law (4 programs, 664 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 293 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
22.0101 |
| Foreign Law Programs | 217 |
|
Master's
|
22.0202 |
| Legal Professions and Studies | 93 |
|
Master's
|
22.9999 |
| Tax Law and Taxation | 61 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
22.0211 |
Social Sciences (9 programs, 642 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 401 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0603 |
| Political Science and Government | 125 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1001 |
| International Relations | 37 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0901 |
| Sociology | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1101 |
| Anthropology | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0201 |
| Social Sciences | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| Research and Quantitative Methods | 5 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0102 |
| Economics | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0601 |
| Geography | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0701 |
Psychology (6 programs, 606 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counseling Psychology | 330 |
|
Master's
|
42.2803 |
| General Psychology | 173 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.0101 |
| Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics | 50 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.2701 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychology | 29 |
|
Master's
|
42.2804 |
| Clinical Psychology | 14 |
|
Master's
|
42.2801 |
| Experimental Psychology | 10 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2799 |
Computer & IT (4 programs, 491 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 277 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0701 |
| Information Science | 178 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0401 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 35 |
|
Master's
|
11.0102 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0101 |
Biological Sciences (9 programs, 415 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 176 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0101 |
| Neuroscience | 134 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.1501 |
| Cell Biology and Anatomy | 39 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0499 |
| Biotechnology | 38 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
26.1201 |
| Botany and Plant Biology | 11 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0399 |
| Neurobiology and Anatomy | 7 |
|
Master's
|
26.1503 |
| Biomedical Sciences | 5 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
26.0102 |
| Biomathematics and Computational Biology | 4 |
|
Master's
|
26.1199 |
| Biostatistics | 1 |
|
Master's
|
26.1102 |
Arts (20 programs, 406 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theatre Arts | 102 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0501 |
| Arts and Media Management | 74 |
|
Master's
|
50.1001 |
| Music Performance | 52 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Music | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0901 |
| Stringed Instruments | 25 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0911 |
| Voice and Opera Performance | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0908 |
| Art History and Conservation | 17 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0703 |
| Design and Visual Communications | 11 |
|
Master's
|
50.0401 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0907 |
| Art Studies | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0701 |
| Documentary Production | 8 |
|
Master's
|
50.0607 |
| Film and Media Studies | 7 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0601 |
| Conducting | 6 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0906 |
| Playwriting and Screenwriting | 4 |
|
Master's
|
50.0504 |
| Acting | 4 |
|
Master's
|
50.0506 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0905 |
| Dance | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0904 |
| Theatre Directing and Production | 2 |
|
Master's
|
50.0507 |
| Jazz Studies | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0910 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at Northwestern University.
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Northwestern University
How much does it cost to attend Northwestern University?
The annual tuition at Northwestern University is $65,997 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $91,290 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $20,334 and books and supplies $1,686.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Northwestern University offer?
Northwestern University offers 165 academic programs across 26 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (8 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (15 programs)
- Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations (6 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (19 programs)
- Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice (4 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for Northwestern University?
Northwestern University has an 7.2% acceptance rate and a 57% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 51,769
- Students admitted: 3,703
- Students enrolled: 2,111
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Northwestern University?
Northwestern University provides financial aid to 23% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $64,463 and average loans of $7,403.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,613
- State/Local grants: $7,116
- Institutional grants: $60,925
- Federal loans: $4,761
The university supports 1,055 students with grants and 444 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Northwestern University graduates?
Northwestern University graduates earn a median salary of $76,844 after 6 years and $89,363 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $61,037 (25th percentile) to $139,122 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $173,600 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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