Northwestern
Northwestern University · Evanston, Illinois · Private
Northwestern admitted 7.5% of 52,676 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1520–1560 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 96% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Northwestern
Enter a score to see whether Northwestern is a reach, target or likely school for you.
It admits 7.5% of applicants, so it’s a reach for everyone, even with perfect scores.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 20% (1,212 of 5,939), compared with 7.5% for all applicants.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
What admissions weighs
How Northwestern rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- Course rigor
- Class rank
- GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Activities
- Talent or ability
- Character
Important
- –
Considered
- Test scores
- First generation
- Legacy
- Where you live
- Volunteering
- Work experience
- Showing interest
Not considered
- Interview
- State residency
- Religion
What it costs
Full price with housing is $91,290 a year. After grants, students paid $23,341 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
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