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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

Downloadable Images, B-roll and fact sheets

Leadership

President Morton Schapiro
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Morton Schapiro, President

Rankings

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

#9 National University by U.S. News and World Report
#24Global University by THE World University Rankings

Research

Centers and institutes

  • 45+ University research institutes and centers
  • 90+ school-based research centers

Funding

  • Received nearly $886 million in annual sponsored research awards,  an 11 percent increase from the prior year
  • Received $388 million in NIH grants, a 110% increase over the last 10 years, ranking Northwestern 15th among top AAU universities

General Information

$11 billionin total endowment

Academic Overview

Curriculum

  • 90 majors, plus 90 minors and certificates offered
  • 72 percent of undergrads combine two+ areas of study
  • About 50 percent of students study abroad
  • 95% of 2018 undergraduates were employed, studying on a fellowship, or attending graduate or professional school within six months of graduation.

Enrollment

  • 9% acceptance rate
  • 8,000+ undergraduate students
  • 13,000+ graduate and professional students
  • 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio

Athletics

Overview

  • Founding member of the Big Ten Conference
  • 19 varsity programs (11 women's, 8 men's)
  • 98% NCAA Graduation Success Rate ranks number 1 among Football Bowl Subdivision schools for each of the last three years
  • One of five private AAU members/top research universities to compete in NCAA Power Five Conferences

Award-winning Community

Among Northwestern faculty and alumni are recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize, MacArthur Genius Grant, Tony Award, Grammy Award, Emmy Award, Academy Award, Guggenheim Fellowship, and membership in the National Academy and numerous other honorary and professional societies.

In addition, Northwestern is one of a handful of universities to appear on every "top producing" Fulbright U.S. Student Program list published by the Chronicle of Higher Education since 2005.