Northwestern University

www.northwestern.edu

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2019 Undergraduate Tuition

$56,232

3.9% growth from 2018

2019 Average Net Price

$26,196

After Financial Aid

2017 Student Loan

0.878%

Default Rate

2019 Acceptance Rate

9.05%

40,585 Applicants

2019 Enrolled Students

22,448

81% Full-Time

2018 Graduation Rate

94.6%

1,925 Graduates

About

Northwestern University is a higher education institution located in Cook County, IL. In 2016, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Northwestern University were Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (364 degrees awarded), Journalism (178 degrees), and General Psychology (153 degrees).

In 2019, 8,794 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Northwestern University. 47.8% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 52.2% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,684 degrees), 3.06 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1203 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Northwestern University is $56,232, which is $27,732 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,500).

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Doctoral Universities: Highest Research Activity Doctoral Universities

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Northwestern University is $56,232, which is $27,732 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,500).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $26,196.

In 2019, 56% of undergraduate students received federal grants, while 22% of undergraduate students received federal loans.

Student Expenses

Tuition Costs

$56,232

2019 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2019, the cost of tuition at Northwestern University was $56,232. The cost of tuition at Northwestern University is $27,732 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,500).

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

Average Net Price

$26,196

2019 Value

4.88%

1 Year Growth

In 2019 Northwestern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $26,196. Between 2018 and 2019, the average net price of Northwestern University grew by 4.88%.

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

$16,626

Room and Board

$1,605

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Northwestern University was of $16,626 in 2019. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,605. The cost of room and board increased by 3.61% between 2018 and 2019. The cost of books and supplies decreased by 3.31% during the same period.

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

Financial Aid

Financial Aid by Income Level

56%

Of Undergraduates Receive Grants

22%

Of Undergraduates Receive Federal Loans

56% of undergraduate students at Northwestern University received grants or loans in 2019. This represents a growth of 0% with respect to 2018, when 56% 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.

0.878%

2017 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2017 the default rate for borrower's at Northwestern University was 0.878%, which represents 25 out of the 2848 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 40,585 undergraduate applications in 2019, which represents a 0.396% annual growth. Out of those 40,585 applicants, 3,673 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 9.05% acceptance rate.

There were 22,448 students enrolled at Northwestern University in 2019, and 64% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Northwestern University has an overall enrollment yield of 54.6%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

9.05%

Acceptance Rate in 2019

3,673

Accepted Out of 40,585

In 2019, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Northwestern University was 9.05% (3,673 admissions from 40,585 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2018, which was 8.47%. Between 2018 and 2019, the number of applicants grew by 0.396%, while admissions grew by 7.33%.

This chart compares the acceptance rate of Northwestern University (in red) with that of other similar universities.

SAT Scores

64%

Submission Percentage

1,284

Scores Submitted

64% of enrolled first-time students at Northwestern University in 2019 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 has a total enrollment of 22,448 students. The full-time enrollment at Northwestern University is 18,194 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,254. This means that 81% of students enrolled at Northwestern University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Northwestern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 42.9% White, 14.5% Asian, 8.68% Hispanic or Latino, 5.31% Black or African American, 3.87% Two or More Races, 0.125% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.049% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Northwestern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (21.9%), followed by White Male (21.8%) and Asian Male (9.14%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (19.4%), followed by White Male (18.4%) and Asian Female (5.76%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

81%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Northwestern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 22,448 students. The full-time enrollment at Northwestern University is 18,194 and the part-time enrollment is 4,254. This means that 81% of students enrolled at Northwestern University are enrolled full-time compared with 77.6% 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

98%

2019 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 98%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (83%), 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

White
9,633
Asian
3,244
Hispanic or Latino
1,948

The enrolled student population at Northwestern University is 42.9% White, 14.5% Asian, 8.68% Hispanic or Latino, 5.31% Black or African American, 3.87% Two or More Races, 0.125% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.049% 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 50.3% White, 14.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.48% 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, 1,431 students (6.37%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2019, 390 fewer women than men received degrees from Northwestern University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Northwestern University is white (3,684 degrees awarded). There were 3.06 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1203 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Northwestern University is Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (364 degrees awarded), followed by Journalism (178 degrees) and General Psychology (153 degrees).

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 (645 degrees awarded), Communications (861 degrees), and Engineering (886 degrees).

Workforce

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 (471,637 people), Other managers (413,053 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (333,894 people), Civil engineers (269,467 people), and Mechanical engineers (201,788 people).

The most specialized majors at Northwestern University are Legal (645 degrees awarded), Communications (861 degrees), Engineering (886 degrees), Math & Statistics (200 degrees), and Cultural & Gender Studies (61 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents

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 Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, Surgeons, Other financial specialists, Cardiovascular technologists and technicians, and Physicians

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 (550,998 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (421,350 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (344,824 people), Elementary & secondary schools (311,328 people), and Construction (307,456 people).

Degrees

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

Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
364 degree-majorss awarded
Journalism
178 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
153 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Northwestern University was Econometrics & Quantitative Economics with 364 degrees awarded.

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

Gender Breakdown for Common Majors

4,592

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2019

4,202

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2019

In 2019, 4,592 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern University, which is 1.09 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,202).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2019, 757 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern University in General Business, which is 1.85 times more than the 410 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2019, 410 degrees were awarded to women at Northwestern University in General Business, which is 0.542 times less than the 757 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

84%

100% Completion Time

94%

150% Completion Time

In 2019, 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.

Diversity

Graduation Rate by Race and Gender

Showing demographic groups with ≥ 5 graduating students.

White Female

Highest Graduation Rate (96.1%)

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate at Northwestern University is Female and White (96.1% graduation rate). Across all Doctoral Universities, Asian Female students have the highest graduation rate (69.1%).

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, 0.675% of graduates (13 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,684 degrees awarded
Asian
1,203 degrees awarded
Unknown
810 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Northwestern University is white (3,684 degrees awarded). There were 3.06 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1203 degrees).

9.21% of degree recipients (810 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Gender

Most Common Gender Demographic

White Male
1,998 degrees awarded
White Female
1,686 degrees awarded
Asian Male
646 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and gender grouping at Northwestern University is white male (1,998 degrees awarded). There were 1.19 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,686 degrees).

Operations

Northwestern University has an endowment valued at nearly $8.24B, as of the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $268M (3.25%), compared to the 4.24% average return ($13.2M on $311M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2019, Northwestern University had a total salary expenditure of $2.51B. Northwestern University employs 681 Professors, 394 Associate professors, and 254 Assistant professors. Most academics at Northwestern University are Male Professors (496), Male Associate professors(221), and Female Professors (185).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northwestern University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 1302 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 1035 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 906 employees.

Finances

Endowment

$8.24B

2019 Endowment

1.69%

decline from 2018

Northwestern University has an endowment valued at about $8.24B, as of the end of the 2019 fiscal year. The endowment of Northwestern University declined 1.69% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $7.93B 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.

Government Grants and Contracts

Grants & Contracts

$518M - Federal
$3.83M - State
$0 - Local

As of 2019, Northwestern University received $518M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $3.83M from state grants and contracts, and $0 from local grants and contracts.

Expenses

Salary Expenditure

$1.16B

2019 Salaries

17.4%

decline from 2018

In 2019, Northwestern University paid a median of $1.16B in salaries, which represents 46.2% of their overall expenditure ($2.51B) and a 17.4% decline from the previous year. This is compared to a 31% growth from 2017 and a 7.63% growth from 2016.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 234M (42.4% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$236M

Instructional Salaries

1,499

Number of Employees

In 2019, Northwestern University paid a total of $236M to 1,499 employees working as instructors, which represents 20.3% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $71.1M (30.3%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Faculty and Staff

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

681 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

1302 Employees

In 2019, the most common positions for instructional staff at Northwestern University were Professor with 681 employees; Associate professor with 394 employees; and Associate professor with 254 employees.

In 2019, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northwestern University were Business and Financial Operations with 1,302 employees; Office and Administrative Support with 1,035 employees; and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 906 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Gender

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Male Associate professor
Female Professor

In 2019, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Northwestern University was Male Professor with 496 employees, Male Associate professor with 221 employees, and Female Professor with 185 employees.

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

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