At a glance
Average net price
$29,167
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
95.1%
Admission rate
8%
Undergrad size
9,201
In-state tuition
$68,322
Out-of-state tuition
$68,322
Cost of attendance
$91,250
Median earnings (10y)
$89,363
Admissions
- SAT average
- 1,533
- ACT midpoint
- 35
- Retention
- 98.1%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
23 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by stem (41%), social sciences (27%), humanities & arts (26%).
- STEM41%
- Health1%
- Business5%
- Humanities & arts26%
- Social sciences27%
- Engineering15.2%~1,397 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Social sciences14.9%~1,368 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Communication13.6%~1,248 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Biological sciences10.8%~994 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Computer science10.1%~929 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~712 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Psychology5.5%~503 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Business5.0%~463 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- ~407 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Mathematics2.4%~222 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~137 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~121 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- ~105 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History1.1%~97 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- English1.0%~88 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~76 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~68 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~64 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Education0.6%~52 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~52 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~40 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Liberal arts0.4%~36 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Legal0.2%~20 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | Master's | 3,720 | $118,780 | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Master's | 845 | — | — |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master's | 719 | $39,767 | — |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 708 | $71,488 | $16,227 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master's | 629 | — | — |
| Law. | First professional | 594 | $187,194 | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master's | 569 | — | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 520 | $120,709 | — |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Bachelor's | 500 | $27,414 | $15,500 |
| Marketing. | Master's | 464 | — | — |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 364 | $34,751 | $14,500 |
| Medicine. | First professional | 317 | $60,913 | — |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 285 | $19,001 | $14,800 |
| Computer Science. | Master's | 277 | $101,171 | — |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 229 | $84,037 | $14,600 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other. | Master's | 217 | $66,854 | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. | Bachelor's | 216 | $19,214 | $16,948 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 216 | $45,960 | $16,834 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master's | 213 | $162,478 | — |
| Engineering, Other. | Master's | 198 | $140,321 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | First professional | 187 | — | — |
| Public Administration. | Master's | 184 | $66,011 | — |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor's | 179 | $23,935 | $17,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 172 | $48,590 | $18,112 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. | Master's | 168 | $42,782 | — |
| Information Science/Studies. | Bachelor's | 166 | $94,536 | $12,000 |
| Music. | Bachelor's | 163 | $38,199 | $18,166 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy. | Bachelor's | 151 | $65,015 | $13,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Graduate certificate | 147 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 144 | $70,936 | $15,334 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master's | 143 | $58,207 | — |
| Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other. | Master's | 141 | — | — |
| Music. | Master's | 135 | $21,311 | — |
| Mathematics. | Bachelor's | 134 | $68,815 | $12,418 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Master's | 120 | $48,897 | — |
| Economics. | Master's | 119 | — | — |
| Public Health. | Bachelor's | 119 | — | $14,684 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor's | 117 | $84,644 | $17,912 |
| Statistics. | Bachelor's | 117 | $59,892 | $14,000 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 115 | $38,991 | $15,917 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a large institution located in Evanston, Illinois, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 9,201 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Engineering, Social sciences, Communication.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at Northwestern University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $29,167 per year, which is above the national average compared to other U.S. institutions. Published tuition is $68,322 per year before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $91,250 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 95.1%, a strong completion outcome. 98.1% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $89,363 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
Northwestern University confers degrees and certificates across 23 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Engineering, Social sciences, Communication. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by stem (41% of credentials), social sciences (27% of credentials), humanities & arts (26% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
Northwestern University accepts 8% of applicants, making it highly selective. Admitted students have an average SAT score around 1,533. The ACT midpoint for admitted students is roughly 35.
Location & campus
Set in Evanston, Illinois (city), Northwestern University draws students from across Illinois and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about Northwestern University
Q.How much does Northwestern University cost?
The average net price at Northwestern University is $29,167 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $91,250.
Q.What is the graduation rate at Northwestern University?
Northwestern University has a 6-year graduation rate of 95.1% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into Northwestern University?
Northwestern University admits 8% of applicants, which is considered highly selective.
Q.How much do Northwestern University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median Northwestern University graduate earns $89,363 per year.
Q.What is tuition at Northwestern University?
Published tuition is $68,322 in-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is Northwestern University located?
Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois (ZIP 60208).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with Northwestern University at their official website.