18 June 2026: QS World University Rankings 2027 has been released on 18 June 2026. Northwestern University is ranked #45 among 1,500+ universities. Check out QS World University Rankings 2027 trend analysis
Northwestern University Rankings, Courses, Fees, Admission 2023 & Scholarships
Evanston, Illinois
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Northwestern University is a private research university located in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is ranked among the top 20 universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report.Northwestern University campus life is vibrant with numerous organizations, as well as a strong athletic program, featuring 19 varsity sports teams competing at the NCAA Division I level.
Northwestern University offers programs in a diverse range across its 12 schools and colleges, including the Kellogg School of Management, the Pritzker School of Law, and the Feinberg School of Medicine. Northwestern University MBA is one of the highest enrolling and top ranked courses. For admission to the Northwestern University graduate programs, a GPA of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale (97-99%) is required.
Northwestern University presently has 200,000 alumni from more than 80 countries and 50 states. Northwestern University Alumni include president and COO of SpaceX- Gwynne Shotwell, ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon, and Meghan Markle (Duchess of Sussex).
Northwestern University Highlights
Northwestern University is ranked #32 in the QS Global World Rankings 2023 and #9 in US News Best Colleges in National Universities 2022. The salient features of the university are as follows:
Likes:
- Campus Facilities: The university campus has nearly 500 clubs and organizations and 19 highly competitive varsity athletic programs. The university has 90 school-based and 50 University research centers.
- Scholarships: There are various types of aid available as grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships at Northwestern University for international students. One such scholarship is Karr Achievement Scholarship which awards 2,500 USD annually (1.86 lakhs).
- Placements 2022: Within six months of graduation, 95% undergraduates of Northwestern University were employed or enrolled in graduate or professional school, or on a fellowship. Amazon, Facebook, Uber, and the Federal Reserve Board are among the top recruiters at Northwestern University. Know More: Northwestern University Placements
Dislikes:
- Expensive Education: The average tuition cost of 47 lakhs INR is a bit heavy on financially needful students. Students might find it difficult to satisfy the academic expenses even after availing the university scholarships.
- Study Material: The books and other study materials are quite common for a number of courses offered by the university. This might concern the extensive learning process of the students.
Northwestern University Ranking
Northwestern University possesses 90% students from the top 10% of their high-school classes. The university is highly ranked for its dedication towards meeting 100% financial need of its students. Following are some of the top rankings of Northwestern University according to various reputed agencies:
| Ranking Agency | Ranking 2023 |
|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #32 |
| Best Global Universities US News | #26 |
| World University Rankings THE | #26 |
| Best Global Universities, US News | #24 |
Northwestern University Ranking Comparison
The subject-specific ranking comparison of Northwestern University with a few other universities according to U.S. News and World Report, 2022 are as follows:
| Subject | Northwestern University | New York University | University of California Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | #6 | #283 | #28 |
| Computer Science | #165 | #57 | #46 |
| Oncology | #30 | #26 | #6 |
| Immunology | #66 | #42 | #34 |
Check the following comparisons between Northwestern University and other top universities in the world:
Northwestern University Acceptance Rate
Northwestern University acceptance rate is around 7%, increasing from the record low of 6.8% in the last year. For the class of 2026, the university received a total of 51,554 applications, which is almost 4,000 more than the previous year. The university has also received 3,420 transfer applications increasing from 2,855 in the last year.
Northwestern University is home to 8,000+ undergraduate students and 13,000+ graduate students. Every year, the university accepts 2,000 first year students coming from around the world. Over 5,500 international students from more than 80 countries constitute the total student body of the university.
Northwestern University Campus
Northwestern University is divided in three campuses with the main campus at Evanston, Illinois. The Chicago campus is located 12 miles away from the main campus. The 2,500-acre Qatar campus at Doha's Education City, with spectacular architecture and modern amenities.
The university libraries are the main library system for the university's main campuses in Evanston, Illinois. The library has a collection of 7.9 million items, including 107,446 print journals and 173,089 electronic journals.
- The university has nearly 500 clubs and organizations for recreational activities of the students.
- Northwestern sports 19 highly competitive varsity athletic programs.
- The university has more than 90 school-based centers and 50 university research centers.
Northwestern University Accommodation
Undergraduates at Northwestern are required to live on-campus for their first two years. Students can choose to live in residential colleges, residential halls, and/or special-interest housing during their first two years. Mentioned below are the housing room rate for UG students for the entire academic year:
On-Campus Accommodation
| Accommodation Type | Annual Rate in USD | Annual Rate in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Triple | 9,930 | 8.19 lakhs |
| Double | 10,377 | 8.56 lakhs |
| Double | 11,025 | 9.09 lakhs |
| Double | 11,748 | 9.69 lakhs |
| Single | 12,438 | 10.26 lakhs |
| Single | 13,164 | 10.86 lakhs |
Off-Campus Accommodation
For students who want to live off-campus, Northwestern University offers help through its online portal to search for a room and also for a roommate if required. Mentioned below are the average rent of off-campus accommodation at Northwestern University:
| Accommodation | Average Rent (USD/Year) | Average Rent (INR/Year) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | USD 9612 | 7.84 lakhs |
| 2 Bedroom | USD 6347 | 5.18 lakhs |
| 3 Bedroom | USD 5767 | 4.70 lakhs |
| 4 Bedroom | USD 5715 | 4.66 lakhs |
Northwestern University Application Process
Getting admission into Northwestern programs requires rigorous preparation both in terms of academics and extracurriculars. The university follows a quarterly academic schedule with Fall, Winter and Spring quarters (and a Summer term). Each of these quarters last around 10 weeks each. More detailed information about Northwestern University admissions are provided below:
Northwestern University Undergraduate Admission
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | Common Application | Coalition Application |
| Application Fee | 75 USD (5,950 INR) |
| GPA Requirement | GPA of 2.0/4.0 (~75%) |
| English proficiency test scores | TOEFL IBT: 79 | IELTS: 6.5 |
| Standardized Exam Scores | SAT score: 1460- 1560 | ACT score: 33- 35 (Optional) |
| Additional Requirement | 1 Teacher recommendation | 1 Counselor recommendation | Midyear transcript (If available) |
Northwestern University Graduate Admission
| Category | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | Graduate Application Portal |
| Application Fee | 95 USD (7,540 INR) |
| GPA Requirement | GPA of 3.9 on 4.0 scale (97-99%) |
| English proficiency test scores | TOEFL IBT: 79-100 | IELTS: 6.0 |
| Standardized Exam Scores | GMAT score: 620-780 | GRE: 160+ in both Quant and Verbal section |
| Additional Requirement | 2-3 Letters of Recommendation | Statement of Purpose |
Northwestern University Cost of Attendance
The approximate cost of studying undergraduate programs at Northwestern University is around 43 lakhs INR including tuition and fees. The graduate program tuition cost at Northwestern University varies based on program type and ranges around 49 lakhs INR.
Northwestern University Program Fees
The Northwestern University courses are offered across 83 majors, 55 minors, and various certificate courses in the undergraduate level across 12 schools and colleges for international students. About 72% of undergraduates enroll in dual programs and double majors. More than 50% of students partake in study abroad programs to supplement their academic programs. Some of the top programs at Northwestern University are as follows:
Northwestern University Cost of Living
The cost of living ranges around 16 to 20 lakhs per year depending on the student’s lifestyle. This cost includes housing, meals, books, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. A detailed breakdown of the cost of living in USA for Northwestern University students is given below.
| Category | Annual Cost in USD | Annual Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
| On-Campus Room/Board | 19,440 | 16.03 lakhs |
| Books & Supplies | 1,590 | 1.31 lakhs |
| Personal Expenses | 2,052 | 1.69 lakhs |
| Transportation | 1,200 | 99 thousand |
| Loan Fees | 54 | 4 thousand |
Also Check: Part-time jobs in USA
Northwestern University Scholarships
The institute provides various types of aid available as grants, loans, work-study, and scholarships to study in the USA. Need-based financial aid is available to international students seeking undergraduate degrees. Financial aid is not available for international transfer applicants. The studentships offered by the university are as follows:
| Name | Eligibility | Amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Scholarship | Demonstrated financial need at the time of admission | Variable |
| Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships | 55% in a 4-years bachelor’s or master’s degree, or a full-time PG diploma if the bachelor’s program is less than 4 years | Variable |
| Founders Scholarship | Demonstrated financial need, GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83-86%) | 79,300 to 4.36 lakhs |
| National Overseas Scholarship | Annual family income of less than 8 lakhs INR, at least 65% or equivalent marks, less than 35 years of age | Variable |
| Karr Achievement Scholarship | All admitted students | 1.88 lakhs annually |
| KC Mahindra Scholarship | Indian students enrolling to an international university for a postgraduate course | 4.2 lakhs annually |
Northwestern University Alumni Network
Members of the alumni community are recipients of several international awards like the Nobel Prize, MacArthur Genius Grant, Pulitzer Prize, Grammy Award, Guggenheim Fellowship, etc. 9 Grammy awards and 18 top honors have been awarded to members of the NWU community and alumni network. Some of the special benefits and services available only to Northwestern alumni are:
- Access to University Libraries
- Class Rings and Graduation Gear
- Community Recreation Membership
- Evanston Campus Tours for Alumni
- Free Email Address
Northwestern University Notable Alumni
| Alumni Name | Designation | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Roshni Nadar | Business Executive | Ranked as the world's wealthiest woman in technology by Forbes |
| Divya Narendra | Entrepreneur | Co-founder of ConnectU, a social networking site |
| Meghan Markle | Actress/Royal | Former actress and Duchess of Sussex |
| Aimee Garcia | Actress | Nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for "Dexter" |
| Lisa Caputo | Executive | First female chief marketing officer at Citigroup |
| Sheraton Kalouria | Business Executive | Former President of The Weather Channel and EVP of Turner Network Television |
| Karen Russell | Author | MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize finalist for "Swamplandia!" |
Northwestern University Placements
Within six months of graduation, 95% of the recent academic year, undergraduates were employed, studying on a fellowship, or attending graduate or professional school. The university exhibits an employment rate of 100% across several schools. Following table consists of MBA employment report of Northwestern University according to industry type:
Source@https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/career/employer/employment-statistics.aspx
Explore: High Paying Jobs in USA
Northwestern University boasts an enormous annual sponsored research award of 893 million USD and 434 million USD in NIH funding. The university shelters more than 50 research centers and 90 school-based centers. The school has prestigious, top-tier academic and performing arts programs, and it is a member of the Big 10 athletic conference. Together, all these factors make the university a unique centre for international students to study in USA.
FAQs
Ques. What is the cost of studying at Northwestern University?
Ans. The cost of studying the undergraduate programs at the university is around 42.37 lakhs. However, the tuition fees of the graduate courses vary and depend upon the selected program. The cost of living at Northwestern University is mentioned below:
| Type of Fee | Annual Cost (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Tuition | 42.37 lakhs |
| Fees | 0.34 lakhs |
| On-Campus Housing/Meals | 12.81 lakhs |
| Books & Supplies | 1.23 lakhs |
| Personal Expenses | 1.65 lakhs |
| Transportation | 0.79 lakhs |
| Loan Fees | 0.04 lakhs |
Ques. What are the most popular programs at Northwestern?
Ans. Some of the popular programs at Northwestern University are MBA, MS in Artificial Intelligence, MS in Computer Science, and MS in Neurobiology among others.
Ques. Is it difficult to get admission to Northwestern University?
Ans. Yes, Northwestern University observes a highly selective admission policy with an acceptance rate of 7%. It is not impossible for meritorious students to get into the university. Focus on your academic achievements, as well as standardized test scores to secure admission to the university.
Ques. What are the English proficiency test scores required to apply to Northwestern University?
Ans. The university maintains a high requirement of English proficiency test scores. Given below are the required minimum English proficiency scores for international students:
| School | Minimum Score for UG | Minimum Score for PG |
|---|---|---|
| School of Communication | 85 | 100 |
| School of Education and Social Policy | 100 | 100 |
| School of Engineering | 85 | 100 |
| Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications | 81 | 90 |
| School of Arts and Science | 81 | 90 |
| Feinberg School of Medicine | 84 | 100 |
| BinenSchool of Music | 81 | 90 |
Ques. What are the criteria to apply to Northwestern University?
Ans. The general admission prerequisites of Northwestern University are:
- Official secondary school transcript and a school report
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- Standardized exam scores
- English proficiency scores
- Midyear transcript
- Statement of Purpose
- English Language Test Scores
Top Courses, Fees & Eligibility
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College Faculty
Total Faculty: 3539
Part Time: 0
Full Time: 0
Graduate Assistants: 0
Students also visited
Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, Massachusetts
Columbia UniversityNew York City, New York
University of ChicagoChicago, Illinois
Cornell UniversityIthaca, New York
Kellogg School of ManagementEvanston, Illinois
University of WashingtonSeattle, Washington
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