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Northwestern University Media Kit

The Northwestern Difference

Northwestern University is a comprehensive research university, established in 1851, that is deeply interdisciplinary across multiple schools and units. Our rigorous yet empathetic academic environment provides a robust mixture of theory and practice, with an emphasis on top-tier research, new knowledge, creative expression, and practical application. If you are at Northwestern, you are part of an innovative, collaborative and multidimensional community, delivering an impact that is rare in higher education.

Multimedia Assets

Leadership

Michael Schill, Northwestern President
Michael Schill, President

Northwestern Recognition

Northwestern is one of only four top-10 U.S. universities ranked in the top 20 in each of the five graduate education categories.

#9
National University by U.S. News and World Report

Research

Funding

  • More than $1 billion in annual sponsored research awards
  • Received $449 million in NIH grants, a 86% increase over the last 10 years, ranking Northwestern 16th among top AAU universities
researcher in laboratory

General Information

$13.7 billion
in total endowment

Academic Overview

faculty member instructing students

Curriculum

  • 77% of undergrads combine two+ areas of study
  • About 50%  of students participate in a global learning experience
  • 97% of the Class of 2022 was employed, studying on a fellowship or attending graduate or professional school within six months of graduation.

Enrollment

  • 7% acceptance rate
  • 8,000+ undergraduate students
  • 14,000+ graduate and professional students
  • 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio
cyclist passing under Weber arch

Athletics

Ryan Fieldhouse

Overview

  • Founding member of the Big Ten Conference   
  • Tied for top NCAA overall graduation success rate (98%) among Football Bowl Subdivision schools 
  • One of five private AAU members/top research universities to compete in NCAA Power Five conferences 

Award-winning Community

Northwestern faculty and alumni include recipients of Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes; MacArthur Genius Grants; Tony, Grammy, Emmy and Academy Awards; and Guggenheim Fellowships as well as members of the National Academy of Sciences and numerous other honorary and professional societies.