Northwestern University

Evanston, IL
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Class of 2029
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Key Facts

Acceptance Rates

SAT Range

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Admissions Advantages

    Application Rounds

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    Programs by Median Earnings (1 Year After Graduation)

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    Faculty & Research

    444 faculty · 320 courses · data as of 2026-07-02

    Music110 faculty avg h-index 16.5 #3 of 13 in Visual & Performing Arts
    R. Douglas Wright, Brass h-index 35
    Notable: “Nuclear resonance fluorescence from light and medium weight nuclei” (1964) · 121 citations
    A.J. Keller, Conducting and Ensembles h-index 19
    Notable: “Surgical management of aortopulmonary window: a 40-year experience” (2002) · 141 citations
    Richard Ashley, Music Theory and Cognition h-index 15
    Linda Austern, Musicology h-index 12
    Economics53 faculty · 66 courses avg h-index 33.6 #4 of 104 in Economics
    Martin Eichenbaum, Charles Moskos Professor h-index 84
    Es on understanding aggregate economic fluctuations. He is currently studying the causes and consequences of exchange rate fluctuations, as well as the effect of monetary policy on postwar United States business cycles. He is a Fellow of the Econometric Societ
    Notable: “Nominal Rigidities and the Dynamic Effects of a Shock to Monetary Policy” (2005) · 5,941 citations
    Charles Manski, Board of Trustees Professor h-index 81
    Notable: “Identification of Endogenous Social Effects: The Reflection Problem” (1993) · 6,266 citations
    Dean Karlan, Frederic Esser Nemmers Chair in Economics and Finance, KSM h-index 79
    Es on microeconomic issues of poverty, typically employing experimental methodologies and behavioral economics insights to examine what works, what does not, and why to address social problems. His work spans many geographies and topics, including sustainable
    Notable: “Promoting an open research culture” (2015) · 2,767 citations
    Lawrence Christiano, Alfred W. Chase Professor h-index 74
    Notable: “Nominal Rigidities and the Dynamic Effects of a Shock to Monetary Policy” (2005) · 5,941 citations
    Courses: Introduction to Problem-Solving in Economics · College Seminar · First-Year Writing Seminar · Introduction to Macroeconomics · Mentored Study Program (Macroeconomics) · Peer-Guided Study Group: Introduction to Macroeconomics +60 more
    Computer Science49 faculty · 83 courses avg h-index 30.1 #35 of 88 in Computer Science
    Aggelos Katsaggelos, Joseph Cummings Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering h-index 80
    Notable: “Digital image restoration” (1997) · 1,683 citations
    Alok Choudhary, Harold Washington Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering h-index 65
    Notable: “A general-purpose machine learning framework for predicting properties of inorganic materials” (2016) · 1,703 citations
    Yan Chen, Professor of Computer Science h-index 60
    Notable: “OceanStore” (2000) · 868 citations
    Noshir Contractor, Jane S. and William J. White Professor of Behavioral Sciences h-index 52
    Notable: “Computational Social Science” (2009) · 3,308 citations
    Courses: Computer Science: Concepts, Philosophy, and Connections · Introduction to Computer Programming · Fundamentals of Computer Programming · CS 111 Peer-Guided Study Group · Fundamentals of Computer Programming 1.5 · Fundamentals of Computer Programming II +77 more
    Communication & Media47 faculty · 82 courses avg h-index 33.8 #2 of 12 in Communication
    Pablo J. Boczkowski, Professor; Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani Professor h-index 38
    Notable: ““News comes across when I’m in a moment of leisure”: Understanding the practices of incidental news consumption on social media” (2018) · 420 citations
    Molly Losh, Jo Ann G. and Peter F. Dolle Professor of Learning Disabilities and Associate Dean for Research h-index 36
    Yingdan Lu, Assistant Professor h-index 12
    Notable: “Screenomics: A Framework to Capture and Analyze Personal Life Experiences and the Ways that Technology Shapes Them” (2019) · 188 citations
    Aaron Shaw, Associate Professor
    Courses: Communication in Context: Introduction · Communication in Context: Analysis & Research · Public Speaking · Argumentation and Debate · Computing Everywhere · Research Methods in Communication Studies +76 more
    Mechanical Engineering41 faculty avg h-index 48.6 #9 of 70 in Mechanical Engineering
    Zdeněk Bažant, McCormick Institute Professor, Walter P. Murphy Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering h-index 114
    Notable: “Crack band theory for fracture of concrete” (1983) · 3,468 citations
    Wing Liu, Walter P. Murphy Professor of Mechanical Engineering & Civil and Environmental Engineering h-index 99
    Notable: “Reproducing kernel particle methods” (1995) · 2,819 citations
    Jian Cao, Associate Vice President for Research, Cardiss Collins Professor of Mechanical Engineering h-index 87
    Notable: “Financial time series forecasting model based on CEEMDAN and LSTM” (2018) · 692 citations
    Horacio Espinosa, Walter P. Murphy Professor of Mechanical Engineering h-index 77
    Notable: “Measurements of near-ultimate strength for multiwalled carbon nanotubes and irradiation-induced crosslinking improvements” (2008) · 1,115 citations
    Government38 faculty avg h-index 24.2 #17 of 100 in Political Science
    Edward L. Gibson, Kenneth Burgess Professor of Political Science h-index 58
    S): United States; Latin America Subfield Specialties: American Political Development; Comparative Historical Analysis; Political Parties Joint Appointment Latin American and Caribbean Studies Biography Edward Gib
    Notable: “Food neophobia and ‘picky/fussy’ eating in children: A review” (2007) · 1,205 citations
    James Mahoney, Gordon Fulcher Professor of Decision-Making; Professor of Political Science and Sociology h-index 51
    S): Comparative-historical analysis. Long-run political and socioeconomic development in Latin America. Case study and small-N methodology. Path dependence and institutional theory. Program Area(s): Methods; Comparative Politics Regional Specialization(s): La
    Notable: “Path dependence in historical sociology” (2000) · 3,355 citations
    Karen J. Alter, Norman Dwight Harris Professor of International Relations h-index 41
    S): Global Capitalism and Law; Multilateralism; International Law; International Courts; Law and Politics, US Export Controls Program Area(s): International Relations; Comparative Politics Regional Specialization(s): Latin America; Europe; Africa Subfield Spe
    Notable: “The Politics of International Regime Complexity” (2009) · 979 citations
    William Reno, Professor & Chair of the Department h-index 32
    S): Comparative politics of Africa, Politics of Violent Conflict, the Political Effects of Foreign Military Assistance, Asymmetrical Warfare Program Area(s): International Relations; Comparative Politics Regional Specialization(s): Middle East; Africa Subfiel
    Notable: “Corruption and State Politics in Sierra Leone” (1997) · 474 citations

    Faculty counts are directory headcounts; the named list may be a subset. h-index shown only for ORCID-backed or high-confidence OpenAlex matches. Partial — enrichment ongoing.

    Demographics

    Student Outcomes

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    About Northwestern University. Northwestern University in Evanston, IL reports an overall acceptance rate of 7.7%, an early-round acceptance rate of 20.0%, an SAT middle 50% of 1510–1560, a class size of 2,100, and a yield of 58.0% based on the most recent Common Data Set filings. ED acceptance rate is ~3x overall rate. Strong for journalism (Medill) and performing arts.

    Admissions and cost data as of July 3, 2026 (CDS 2024–25 cycle), from the most recent Common Data Set, IPEDS, and College Scorecard.

    Northwestern University: key admissions facts

    Northwestern University's overall acceptance rate is 7.7% (the most recent Common Data Set). Northwestern University's early-round acceptance rate is 20.0% (the most recent Common Data Set). Northwestern University's SAT middle-50% range is 1510–1560 (the most recent Common Data Set). The average unweighted GPA of admitted students at Northwestern University is about 3.92 (the most recent Common Data Set). Northwestern University's yield rate (the share of admitted students who enroll) is 58.0% (the most recent Common Data Set). The average net price at Northwestern University for families earning under $75,000 is about $12,271 per year (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data).

    Sources: Common Data Set (commondataset.org) · Northwestern University on College Scorecard · NCES IPEDS · full source table

    How much does Northwestern University cost for a family earning $75,000?

    A family earning under $30,000 pays about $10,788 per year in net price at Northwestern University, while families earning over $110,000 pay about $41,673 (source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data). A family earning $75,000 falls in the $48,001–$75,000 bracket and pays about $14,792 per year after grants and scholarships.

    Northwestern University: average annual net price by household income (most recent College Scorecard/IPEDS data)
    Household incomeAverage net price per year
    Under $30,000$10,788
    $30,001–$48,000$11,234
    $48,001–$75,000$14,792
    $75,001–$110,000$24,126
    Over $110,000$41,673
    Tuition (before aid)$69,375
    Room and board$21,975

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the acceptance rate at Northwestern University?

    Northwestern University's overall acceptance rate is 7.7%, based on the most recent Common Data Set. Its early-round (early decision or early action) acceptance rate is 20.0%.

    What SAT score and GPA do you need for Northwestern University?

    Admitted students at Northwestern University typically have an SAT middle-50% range of 1510–1560 and an average unweighted GPA of about 3.92, according to the most recent Common Data Set. These are the middle of the range, so scores above them strengthen an application.

    Is it hard to get into Northwestern University?

    Getting into Northwestern University is extremely difficult: it admits 7.7% of applicants. Your realistic odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to its middle-50% ranges and on your application round — you can estimate them with the free College Monte Carlo chances calculator.

    Does Northwestern University offer early decision or early action?

    Northwestern University offers early decision (binding). Applying early can help: its early-round acceptance rate is 20.0%, versus 7.7% overall.

    How much does Northwestern University cost after financial aid?

    The average net price at Northwestern University — the real cost after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price — is about $12,271 per year for families earning under $75,000, based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data. Higher-income families generally pay more; see the full net-price-by-income breakdown.

    How much does Northwestern University cost for a family earning $75,000?

    A family earning under $30,000 pays about $10,788 per year in net price at Northwestern University, while families earning over $110,000 pay about $41,673 (source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data). A family earning $75,000 falls in the $48,001–$75,000 bracket and pays about $14,792 per year after grants and scholarships.

    Not sure how to read these numbers? Start with our guide on how to estimate your admission chances. Northwestern University offers a binding early-decision round, so weigh the trade-offs in our early decision vs. regular decision guide before committing.