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.
20 percent of the Class of 2024 receive Pell Grants
64 percent of undergraduates receives financial aid
The University awarded $207 million in scholarships to undergraduate students in 2020-2021
Student body demographics
Class of 2024
Hispanic or Latino: 15.4%
American Indian or Alaska Native: 1.6%
Asian: 25.5%
Black or African American: 10%
White: 53.2%
International: 10%
First-generation college students: 12.6%
$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
Arts and humanities
Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences offers 35 programs across the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics
Northwestern was placed among Playbill's top 10 most represented universities on Broadway.
Since 2015, Bienen School alumni and faculty have earned nine Grammy Awards, and 18 students and alumni have earned top honors in 14 international competitions.
The Block Museum of Art was named one of the top 10 university museums nationally ("Raising the Cultural Bar on Campus," The New York Times).
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.
IMC 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
$2.2 billion in revenue from patents and intellectual property licensing revenue
10 million+ patients impacted by Northwestern Therapeutics
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 FBS schools
One of five private AAU members/top research universities to compete in NCAA Power Five Conferences
Athletic achievements
2018 Big Ten West football champions and winner of three consecutive bowl games and five consecutive Land of Lincoln trophies
Seven NCAA women's lacrosse titles since 2005
Recent conference championships in basketball, soccer, field hockey, golf, tennis, wrestling, swimming, diving and fencing
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.