Northwestern University

www.northwestern.edu/

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2021 Undergraduate Tuition

$60,276

3.52% growth from 2020

2021 Average Net Price

$29,999

After Financial Aid

2019 Student Loan

0.175%

Default Rate

2021 Acceptance Rate

6.97%

47,636 Applicants

2021 Enrolled Students

23,409

80.5% Full-Time

2021 Graduation Rate

95.2%

1,916 Graduates

About

Northwestern University is a higher education institution located in Cook County, IL. In 2021, the most popular Masters Degree concentrations at Northwestern University were Management Science (1,737 degrees awarded), General Business Administration & Management (465 degrees), and Digital Communication & Multimedia (284 degrees).

In 2021, 9,290 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Northwestern University. 49% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 51% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,890 degrees), 3.04 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1,278 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Northwestern University is $60,276, which is $31,284 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

Photo by Amanda

Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

In 2021, the median undergraduate tuition at Northwestern University is $60,276, which is $31,284 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $29,999.

In 2021, 57% of undergraduate students attending Northwestern University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 19% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$60,276

2021 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2021, the cost of tuition at Northwestern University was $60,276. The cost of tuition at Northwestern University is $31,284 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,992).

This chart compares the tuition costs of Northwestern University (in red) with those of other similar universities.

Average Net Price

$29,999

2021 Value

5.84%

1 Year Growth

In 2021 Northwestern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $29,999. Between 2020 and 2021, the average net price of Northwestern University grew by 5.84%.

This chart compares the average net price of Northwestern University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

Average net price is calculated from full-time beginning undergraduate students who were awarded a grant or scholarship from federal, state or local governments, or the institution.

Other Student Expenses

$17,616

Room and Board

$1,662

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Northwestern University was of $17,616 in 2021. The cost of room and board increased by 3.51% between 2020 and 2021.

During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,662. The cost of books and supplies increased by 1.47% during the same period.

This chart compares the average student costs at Northwestern University (in red) with that of similar universities.

Financial Aid by Income Level

57%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

19%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

57% of undergraduate students at Northwestern University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2021. This represents a decline of 3.39% with respect to 2020, when 59% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

This chart compares the average award discount at Northwestern University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

The average award discount is the ratio between the average grant or scholarship value, and the cost, which is the sum of out-of-state tuition, room, board, book, supplies, and other expenses.

Student Loan Default Rate

Cohort default rates only account for borrowers who default in the first three years, and some schools only have a small proportion of borrowers entering repayment. These rates should be interpreted with caution, as they may not be reflective of the entire school population.

0.175%

2019 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2019 the default rate for borrower's at Northwestern University was 0.175%, which represents 5 out of the 2861 total borrowers.

A cohort default rate is the percentage of a school's borrowers who enter repayment on certain Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program or William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program loans during a particular federal fiscal year (FY), October 1 to September 30, and default or meet other specified conditions prior to the end of the second following fiscal year.

Admissions

Northwestern University received 47,636 undergraduate applications in 2021, which represents a 21.3% annual growth. Out of those 47,636 applicants, 3,321 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 6.97% acceptance rate.

There were 23,409 students enrolled at Northwestern University in 2021. 43% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Northwestern University has an overall enrollment yield of 62.8%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

6.97%

Acceptance Rate in 2021

3,321

Accepted Out of 47,636

In 2021, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Northwestern University was 6.97% (3,321 admissions from 47,636 applications). This is lower than the acceptance rate of 2020, which was 9.31%. Between 2020 and 2021, the number of applicants grew by 21.3%, while admissions declined by −9.11%..

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Northwestern University (in red) with that of other similar universities, and the chart below shows the acceptance rate by gender.

SAT Scores

43%

Submission Percentage (2021)

906

Scores Submitted (2021)

43% of enrolled first-time students at Northwestern University in 2021 submitted SAT scores with their applications.

This chart shows the SAT scores for the 25th and 75th percentile of applicants broken out into each section of the test that their are evaluated on.

Enrollment

Northwestern University had a total enrollment of 23,409 students in 2021. The full-time enrollment at Northwestern University is 18,835 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,574. This means that 80.5% of students enrolled at Northwestern University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Northwestern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 40.6% White, 15.9% Asian, 9.83% Hispanic or Latino, 5.59% Black or African American, 4.2% Two or More Races, 0.12% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0513% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Northwestern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (20.7%), followed by White Male (18.7%) and Asian Female (10.5%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (20%), followed by White Male (17.3%) and Asian Female (6.46%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

80.5%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Northwestern University in 2021, both undergraduate and graduate, is 23,409 students. The full-time enrollment at Northwestern University is 18,835 and the part-time enrollment is 4,574. This means that 80.5% of students enrolled at Northwestern University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.6% at similar Doctoral Universities.

This chart shows the full-time vs part-time enrollment status at Northwestern University (in red) compares to similar universities.

Retention Rate over Time

99%

2021 Retention Rate

Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Northwestern University was 99%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (84%), Northwestern University had a retention rate higher than its peers.

This chart shows the retention rate over time at Northwestern University (highlighted in red) compares to similar universities.

Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity

Most Common Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
9,506 enrolled students
Asian
3,718 enrolled students
Hispanic or Latino
2,302 enrolled students

The enrolled student population at Northwestern University is 40.6% White, 15.9% Asian, 9.83% Hispanic or Latino, 5.59% Black or African American, 4.2% Two or More Races, 0.12% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0513% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders. This includes both full-time and part-time students as well as graduate and undergraduates. By comparison, enrollment for all Doctoral Universities is 48.9% White, 15.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.56% Black or African American.

Any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis is categorized as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the share of those students are shown in the chart below. Additionally, 1,392 students (5.95%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2021, 184 fewer women than men received degrees from Northwestern University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Northwestern University is white (3,890 degrees awarded). There were 3.04 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1278 degrees).

The most common Masters Degree concentration at Northwestern University is Management Science (1,737 degrees awarded), followed by General Business Administration & Management (465 degrees) and Digital Communication & Multimedia (284 degrees).

In 2021, the most specialized majors across all degree types at Northwestern University, meaning they have significantly more degrees awarded in that concentration than the national average across all institutions, are Legal (515 degrees awarded), Communications (823 degrees), and Engineering (813 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Software developers

Most Common Job

The most common jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Northwestern University are Software developers (450,675 people), Other managers (426,482 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (340,471 people), Civil engineers (262,540 people), and Mechanical engineers (192,648 people).

The most specialized majors at Northwestern University in 2021 are Legal (515 degrees awarded), Communications (823 degrees), Engineering (813 degrees), Math & Statistics (201 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (56 degrees) (as of 2021).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Podiatrists

Highest Paying Job

The highest paying jobs for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Northwestern University are Podiatrists, Surgeons, Media and communication workers, all other, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, and Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

The most specialized majors at Northwestern University are Legal (515 degrees awarded), Communications (823 degrees), Engineering (813 degrees), Math & Statistics (201 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (56 degrees) (as of 2021).

Common Industries by Major

Computer Systems Design

Most Common Industry

The most common industries for people who hold a degree in one of the 5 most specialized majors at Northwestern University are Computer Systems Design (555,962 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (426,432 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (350,628 people), Elementary & secondary schools (327,576 people), and Construction (304,881 people).

Majors Awarded

IPEDS uses the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) standard, so the categories may not match the exact concentrations offered by Northwestern University.

Most Common (2021)

Management Science
1,737 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
465 degrees awarded
Digital Communication & Multimedia
284 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common masters degree concentration at Northwestern University was Management Science with 1,737 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of degree-majors recipients from masters degree programs at Northwestern University according to their major.

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

4,737

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2021

4,553

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2021

In 2021, 4,737 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern University, which is 1.04 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,553).

This chart displays the sex disparity between the top 5 majors at Northwestern University by degrees awarded.

Most Common Male Majors

In 2021, 1157 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern University in Management Science, which is 1.98 times more than the 585 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2021, 585 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern University in Management Science, which is 0.506 times less than the 1157 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

84%

100% Completion Time

94%

150% Completion Time

In 2021, 84% of students graduating from Northwestern University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 94% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 95% within 200%.

The following chart shows these completion rates over time compared to the average for the Doctoral Universities Carnegie Classification group.

Graduation rate is defined as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within a specific percentage of "normal time" to completion for their program.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

American Indian or Alaska Native Male

Highest Graduation Rate (100%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2021 at Northwestern University is Male and American Indian or Alaska Native (100% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (72.9%).

The department of education defines graduation rate as the percentage of full-time, first-time students who received a degree or award within 150% of "normal time" to completion.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) categorizes any student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis as a "Non-Resident Alien", and the graduation rate of those students is shown in the chart below. Additionally, 2.77% of graduates (53 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity (2021)

White
3,890 degrees awarded
Asian
1,278 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
677 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Northwestern University is white (3,890 degrees awarded). There were 3.04 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1278 degrees).

7.35% of degree recipients (683 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic (2021)

White Male
2,041 degrees awarded
White Female
1,849 degrees awarded
Asian Female
659 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Northwestern University is white male (2,041 degrees awarded). There were 1.1 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1849 degrees).

Operations

Northwestern University has an endowment valued at nearly $11.4B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of 4B (35.2%) compared to the 10.4% average return (40.5M on 388M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2021, Northwestern University had a total salary expenditure of 2.47B. Northwestern University employs 713 Professors, 381 Associate professors and 308 Assistant professors. Most academics at Northwestern University are Male Professor (503), Female Professor (210), and Male Associate professor (198).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northwestern University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 1,268 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 946 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 869 employees.

Endowment

$11.4B

2021 Endowment

33.9%

growth from 2020

Northwestern University has an endowment valued at about $11.4B, as of the end of the 2021 fiscal year. The endowment of Northwestern University grew 33.9% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $11B higher than than the median endowment of Doctoral Universities according to the Carnegie Classification grouping.

This line chart shows how the endowment at Northwestern University (in red) compares to that of some similar universities.

The small bar chart below shows the endowment quintiles for all universities in the Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Carnegie Classification grouping.

Salary Expenditure

$1.21B

2021 Salaries

2.45%

growth from 2020

In 2021, Northwestern University paid a median of $1.21B in salaries, which represents 49% of their overall expenditure ($2.47B) and a 2.45% growth from the previous year.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.8% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$244M

Instructional Salaries

1,497

Number of Employees

In 2021, Northwestern University paid a total of $244M to 1,497 employees working as instructors, which represents 20.2% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

713 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

1,268 Employees

In 2021, the most common positions for instructional staff at Northwestern University were Professor with 713 employees, Associate professor with 381 employees, and Assistant professor with 308 employees.

In 2021, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northwestern University were Business and Financial Operations with 1,268 employees, Office and Administrative Support with 946 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 869 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic (2021)

Male Professor
Female Professor
Male Associate professor

In 2021, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Northwestern University was Male Professor with 503 employees, Female Professor with 210 employees, and Male Associate professor with 198 employees.

This chart shows the sex split between each academic rank present at Northwestern University.