Northwestern University
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students focused on high earning potential. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $93,400 within 10 years; exceptional 96% graduation rate.
About This School
Northwestern University is a private nonprofit institution located in Evanston, Illinois with approximately 8,960 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 7%. The average net price after financial aid is $27,143 per year. The graduation rate is 96%, and the typical graduate earns $93,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Northwestern University (NU) is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1851, it is the oldest chartered university in Illinois. Northwestern was initially affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church but later became non-sectarian. By 1900, the university was the third-largest university in the United States, after Michigan and Harvard. Northwestern became a founding member of the Big Ten Conference in 1896 and joined the Association of American Universities in 1917.
This is a strong option for students who want elite academics with surprisingly manageable debt — graduates carry a median of just $14,000 at graduation and earn $93,400 a decade out, a genuinely impressive return. The 97% freshman retention rate signals that students who get in tend to love it and stay, which matters more than most people realize. The main concern is straightforward: a 7% acceptance rate makes this a long-shot for nearly everyone, so treat it as a reach and build your list accordingly.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (8,960 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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