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.
The University awarded more than $250 million in scholarships to students in 2023-24
Northwestern has been named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution by the U.S. Department of State for the 21st consecutive year.
Student body demographics
Class of 2028
Asian: 26%
Black or African American: 15%
Hispanic or Latino: 18%
American Indian or Alaska Native: 2%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: <1%
White: 43%
International students: 13%
First-generation college students: 16%
$14.3 billion
in total endowment
Academic Overview
Curriculum
74% of undergrads combine two+ areas of study
Undergrads can choose from programs in 50 countries on six continents
96% of the Class of 2023 was employed, studying on a fellowship or attending graduate or professional school within six months of graduation.
Enrollment
7.5% acceptance rate
8,000 undergraduate students
14,000 graduate and professional students
6:1 student-to-faculty ratio
Journalism and IMC
World renowned for Journalism and integrated marketing communications (IMC):
Undergraduates complete journalism residencies at more than 120+ media outlets and companies in the U.S. and abroad.
Journalism graduate students choose to specialize in one of seven different topic areas or reporting formats.
The IMC program at Northwestern is a pioneer in blending creativity and data to build brands for the digital age.
Innovation and entrepreneurship
100+ innovation-based courses taught each year
$2.6 billion in revenue from patents and intellectual property licensing revenue
More than 10 million patients impacted by Northwestern therapeutics
Arts and humanities
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences has 50+ departments and programs across the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics.
Northwestern is often counted among Playbill’s top 10 most represented universities on Broadway.
Bienen School of Music alumni and faculty have earned 13 Grammy Awards since 2015
Named a top US campus museum by The New York Times, the Block Museum of Art has a collection of more than 6,000 artworks.
Athletics
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
Athletic achievements
Two Big Ten West football titles since 2018 and undefeated in five straight bowl games
NCAA field hockey national champions in 2021 and 2024
Eight NCAA women’s lacrosse titles since 2005
Three consecutive Big Ten regular season championships in softball
Recent conference championships in basketball, fencing, field hockey, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis and wrestling
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.
