Northwestern University

www.northwestern.edu/

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2020 Undergraduate Tuition

$58,227

3.55% growth from 2019

2020 Average Net Price

$28,344

After Financial Aid

2018 Student Loan

0.614%

Default Rate

2020 Acceptance Rate

9.31%

39,263 Applicants

2020 Enrolled Students

22,603

78.5% Full-Time

2020 Graduation Rate

95%

1,938 Graduates

About

Northwestern University is a higher education institution located in Cook County, IL. In 2020, the most popular Bachelor's Degree concentrations at Northwestern University were Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (331 degrees awarded), Journalism (151 degrees), and General Psychology (139 degrees).

In 2020, 8,930 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at Northwestern University. 49.1% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 50.9% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,798 degrees), 3.26 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1166 degrees).

The median undergraduate tuition at Northwestern University is $58,227, which is $29,664 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

Photo by Amanda

Costs

The median undergraduate tuition at Northwestern University is $58,227, which is $29,664 more than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

After taking grants and loans into account, the average net price for students is $28,344.

In 2020, 59% of undergraduate students attending Northwestern University received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 21% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.

Tuition Costs

$58,227

2020 Undergraduate Tuition

In 2020, the cost of tuition at Northwestern University was $58,227. The cost of tuition at Northwestern University is $29,664 more than than the overall (public and private) national average for Doctoral Universities ($28,563).

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

Average Net Price

$28,344

2020 Value

8.2%

1 Year Growth

In 2020 Northwestern University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $28,344. Between 2019 and 2020, the average net price of Northwestern University grew by 8.2%.

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

$17,019

Room and Board

$1,638

Books and Supplies

The average yearly cost of room and board at Northwestern University was of $17,019 in 2020. During the same period, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,638. The cost of room and board increased by 2.36% between 2019 and 2020. The cost of books and supplies increased by 2.06% 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

59%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants

21%

Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans

59% of undergraduate students at Northwestern University received financial aid through grants or loans in 2020. This represents a growth of 5.36% with respect to 2019, 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.

0.614%

2018 Default Rate

Number of Defaults

In 2018 the default rate for borrower's at Northwestern University was 0.614%, which represents 17 out of the 2768 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 39,263 undergraduate applications in 2020, which represents a 3.26% annual decline. Out of those 39,263 applicants, 3,654 students were accepted for enrollment, representing a 9.31% acceptance rate.

There were 22,603 students enrolled at Northwestern University in 2020, and 58% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Northwestern University has an overall enrollment yield of 52%, which represents the number of admitted students who ended up enrolling.

Acceptance Rate

9.31%

Acceptance Rate in 2020

3,654

Accepted Out of 39,263

In 2020, the undergraduate acceptance rate of Northwestern University was 9.31% (3,654 admissions from 39,263 applications). This is higher than the acceptance rate of 2019, which was 9.05%. Between 2019 and 2020, the number of applicants declined by −3.26%, while admissions declined by −0.517%.

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

SAT Scores

58%

Submission Percentage

1,108

Scores Submitted

58% of enrolled first-time students at Northwestern University in 2020 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 22,603 students. The full-time enrollment at Northwestern University is 17,736 students and the part-time enrollment is 4,867. This means that 78.5% of students enrolled at Northwestern University are enrolled full-time.

The enrolled student population at Northwestern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 43.1% White, 15.5% Asian, 9.24% Hispanic or Latino, 5.67% Black or African American, 4.01% Two or More Races, 0.128% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0354% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders.

Students enrolled at Northwestern University in full-time Undergraduate programs are most commonly White Female (21.3%), followed by White Male (19.9%) and Asian Male (9.77%). Students enrolled in full-time Graduate programs are most commonly White Female (21.5%), followed by White Male (19.4%) and Asian Female (6.54%).

Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment

78.5%

Full-Time Enrollment

The total enrollment at Northwestern University, both undergraduate and graduate, is 22,603 students. The full-time enrollment at Northwestern University is 17,736 and the part-time enrollment is 4,867. This means that 78.5% of students enrolled at Northwestern University are enrolled full-time compared with 76.5% 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

97%

2020 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 97%. Compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Doctoral Universities (85%), 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
9,745
Asian
3,507
Hispanic or Latino
2,089

The enrolled student population at Northwestern University is 43.1% White, 15.5% Asian, 9.24% Hispanic or Latino, 5.67% Black or African American, 4.01% Two or More Races, 0.128% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.0354% 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% White, 15% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.69% 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, 1,361 students (6.02%) did not report their race.

Graduates

In 2020, 158 fewer women than men received degrees from Northwestern University. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients at Northwestern University is white (3,798 degrees awarded). There were 3.26 times more white graduates than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1166 degrees).

The most common Bachelor's Degree concentration at Northwestern University is Econometrics & Quantitative Economics (331 degrees awarded), followed by Journalism (151 degrees) and General Psychology (139 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 (685 degrees awarded), Communications (854 degrees), and Engineering (804 degrees).

Common Jobs by Major

Other managers

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 Other managers (590,420 people), Software developers (444,523 people), Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers (375,839 people), Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers (327,238 people), and Civil engineers (254,080 people).

The most specialized majors at Northwestern University are Legal (685 degrees awarded), Communications (854 degrees), Engineering (804 degrees), Math & Statistics (201 degrees), and Social Sciences (666 degrees).

Highest Paying Jobs by Major

Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists

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 Nuclear medicine technologists and medical dosimetrists, Surgeons, Securities, commodities, & financial services sales agents, Physicians, and Chief executives & legislators

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 (637,637 people), Elementary & secondary schools (519,486 people), Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges (509,236 people), Architectural, engineering & related services (449,974 people), and Construction (356,669 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

Econometrics & Quantitative Economics
331 degree-majorss awarded
Journalism
151 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
139 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common bachelors degree concentration at Northwestern University was Econometrics & Quantitative Economics with 331 degrees awarded.

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

Sex Breakdown for Common Majors

4,544

Degrees Awarded to Men

in 2020

4,386

Degrees Awarded to Women

in 2020

In 2020, 4,544 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern University, which is 1.04 times more than the number of degrees awarded to females (4,386).

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

Most Common Male Majors

In 2020, 671 degrees were awarded to men at Northwestern University in General Business, which is 1.78 times more than the 377 female recipients with that same degree.

Most Common Female Majors

In 2020, 377 degrees were awarded to women at Northwestern University in General Business, which is 0.562 times less than the 671 male recipients with that same degree.

Time to Complete

84%

100% Completion Time

95%

150% Completion Time

In 2020, 84% of students graduating from Northwestern University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 95% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 96% 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 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 (72.4%).

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, 0.671% of graduates (13 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Share

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,798 degrees awarded
Asian
1,166 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
685 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity at Northwestern University is white (3,798 degrees awarded). There were 3.26 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, asian (1166 degrees).

7.42% of degree recipients (663 students) did not report their race.

Race & Ethnicity by Sex

Most Common Sex Demographic

White Male
1,992 degrees awarded
White Female
1,806 degrees awarded
Asian Male
619 degrees awarded

The most common race/ethnicity and sex grouping at Northwestern University is white male (1,992 degrees awarded). There were 1.1 times more white male recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, white female (1,806 degrees).

Operations

Northwestern University has an endowment valued at nearly $8.48B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The return on its endowment was of $882M (10.4%), compared to the 3.43% average return ($10.5M on $307M) across all Doctoral Universities.

In 2020, Northwestern University had a total salary expenditure of $2.46B. Northwestern University employs 688 Professors, 386 Associate professors, and 251 Assistant professors. Most academics at Northwestern University are Male Professors (494), Male Associate professors(212), and Female Professors (194).

The most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northwestern University are: Business and Financial Operations, with 1261 employees, Office and Administrative Support, with 957 employees, and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 875 employees.

Endowment

$8.48B

2020 Endowment

2.91%

growth from 2019

Northwestern University has an endowment valued at about $8.48B, as of the end of the 2020 fiscal year. The endowment of Northwestern University grew 2.91% from the previous year. The value of their endowment was $8.18B 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

$550M - Federal
$4.17M - State
$0 - Local

As of 2020, Northwestern University received $550M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $4.17M from state grants and contracts, and $0 from local grants and contracts.

Salary Expenditure

$1.18B

2020 Salaries

2.01%

growth from 2019

In 2020, Northwestern University paid a median of $1.18B in salaries, which represents 48.1% of their overall expenditure ($2.46B) and a 2.01% growth from the previous year. This is compared to a 17.4% decline from 2018 and a 31% growth from 2017.

The median for similar Doctoral Universities is 238M (42.6% of overall expenditures).

Instructional Salaries

$234M

Instructional Salaries

1,484

Number of Employees

In 2020, Northwestern University paid a total of $234M to 1,484 employees working as instructors, which represents 19.8% of all salaries paid.

This is compared to a median of $70.3M (29.6%) for similar Doctoral Universities.

Occupations by Share

Professor

Most Common Instructor

688 Employees

Business and Financial Operations

Most Common Non-Instructional Employee

1261 Employees

In 2020, the most common positions for instructional staff at Northwestern University were Professor with 688 employees; Associate professor with 386 employees; and Associate professor with 251 employees.

In 2020, the most common positions for non-instructional staff at Northwestern University were Business and Financial Operations with 1,261 employees; Office and Administrative Support with 957 employees; and Computer, Engineering, and Science with 875 employees.

Instructors by Academic Rank and Sex

Most Common Demographic

Male Professor
Male Associate professor
Female Professor

In 2020, the most common demographic for instructional staff at Northwestern University was Male Professor with 494 employees, Male Associate professor with 212 employees, and Female Professor with 194 employees.

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