Northwestern University: Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements
- A++ Shiksha Grade
- Private University
- 240 acre campus
- Estd. 1851
Northwestern UniversityWhat’s new?
- Northwestern University admission deadline for international students through Regular Decision is Jan 2, 2025.
- The admission deadline for postgraduate programs varies from course to course, therefore, international students should check the admission deadlines before applying at Northwestern University.
- About Northwestern University
- Programs
- Northwestern University Scholarships
- Admissions 2025
- Fees
- Northwestern University Student Reviews
- Placements
- Rankings 2025
- Northwestern University Vs Duke University Vs University of Michigan
- Study in the USA
- Notable Alumni
- Northwestern University FAQs
Programs
Northwestern University is renowned for offering the best academic programs for its international and domestic students. The University offers a wide range of courses from undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to certificate and diploma programs. The university’s academic structure includes 12 schools and colleges of which only 9 colleges and schools offer undergraduate programs. The University offers more than 200 academic programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for its international and domestic students. Some top majors at the university are as follows:
- Psychology
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Neuroscience
A graphical representation of top programs preferred by university alumni is as follows:
Top Courses
According to Shiksha Grading by Subjects, most of the Northwestern University courses are in the range of A+ and A grades. Furthermore, Northwestern University's top courses that are ranked by Shiksha Grading are listed below:
Top Courses |
Ranking |
---|---|
Biology |
A |
Biomedical Engineering |
A+ |
Business Analytics |
B++ |
Business Economics |
A+ |
Chemical Engineering |
A |
Civil Engineering |
A+ |
Computer Science |
A |
Electrical Engineering |
A |
Entrepreneurship |
B+ |
Finance |
B+ |
IT & System |
C++ |
Mathematics |
B+ |
Mechanical Engineering |
A+ |
Physics |
A |
Politics |
B++ |
Supply Chain |
C++ |
NOTE: What makes Shiksha Grading stand out is that the website uses the aggregate of all the publicly available university and course rankings from top-ranking publishers and maps it into 9 buckets - A++, A+, A, B++, B+, B, C++, C+, C. In this method, universities are graded by country, and courses are graded by availability at the college in a particular country.
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Guided 4.6K students to USA universities.
12.1K+ students got admitted through us.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Q: What is Northwestern University known for?
Northwestern University offers a number of programs at the undergraduate level and postgraduate level. The university is known for its academic excellence in research and teaching all over the world. As per the US News and World Report, the top majors at Northwestern University are: Social Sciences; Communication and Journalism; Engineering; Physical Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences; Mathematics and Statistics; Biological and Biomedical Sciences etc.
Q: Are MBA programs of Northwestern University accredited?
Northwestern University offers a variety of Business and Management programs including an MBA program through Kellogg School of Management. The Kellogg School of Management is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The business school was reviewed in 2022 and its accreditation was extended for another 5 years till 2027. The MBA programs offered by Northwestern's Business school are highly ranked and top-rated in the country.
Northwestern University Scholarships
Northwestern University offers a variety of financial aid such as; scholarships & grants, federal work-study, loans, and emergency aid requests. There are two types of scholarships available for students; Northwestern University Scholarships and Federal/State Grants. Check below the various types of scholarships at the university:
Name of Scholarship |
Award |
Eligibility |
---|---|---|
Northwestern University Scholarship |
USD 30,000 - 65,000 (INR 25L - 54.25L) |
|
Federal Pell Grant |
USD 692 - 6,895 (INR 58k - 5.75L) |
|
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) |
USD 100 - 4,000 (INR 8k - 3.30L) |
|
*USD/INR = 83.47
Learn more about Northwestern University's Scholarship in the below videos:
this University2 exclusive scholarships available1.1 Cr worth total scholarship amount
We have helped students get 30Cr+ in scholarships
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Q: Does Northwestern University give full scholarships to international students?
Northwestern University offers need-aware scholarships to international students for undergraduate programs. Whereas, the scholarships for graduate programs for international students are available at school and college levels. International students should check the scholarships and deadlines before applying to Northwestern University. Also, there are various external funding agencies that offer lucrative scholarships to Indian students.
Q: What is a need-aware scholarship at Northwestern University?
Northwestern University offers need-aware scholarships to international students enrolling into its undergraduate programs. Only first-year international applicants are eligible for this scholarship. Check below the minimum eligibility for need-aware scholarships:
Financial Aid Awards for International Students
- Meet 100% of a student's demonstrated financial need
- Consider the full cost of attendance (tuition, room & board, fees, health insurance, books & supplies, personal expenses and travel allowance)
- Consists only grants and scholarships, which do not need to be repaid
- Packages are loan and work-free
- Applicable only to undergraduate study
Q: Does Northwestern University give full scholarships to international students?
At the undergraduate level, Northwestern University has a need-aware admission review for international students. Meaning, a request for financial aid and the amount of financial aid a student requires may impact the admission decision. Note that only first-year applicants are eligible for financial aid. Some of the features of financial aid awards for international students of Northwestern University are:
- Meet 100% of demonstrated financial need of students
- Consider the full cost of attendance
- Packages are loan and work free
- Consists only of grants and scholarships that do not need to be repaid
Read: Scholarships to Study in USA for International Students
Admissions 2025
Northwestern University offers admissions in the Fall, Spring, and Winter intakes every year. It is among the finest institutions of higher education in the world. Each year thousands of students apply for various courses at the university. Check below the infographic of the UG application process at the university:
Application Deadline 2025
Check below the admission deadlines for various types of applications
Types of Application |
Deadline |
---|---|
Early Decision |
Over |
Regular Decision |
Jan 2, 2025 |
Admission Requirements for International Students
Check below Northwestern University admission requirements for international students:
UG Admission Requirements
- Application form
- SAT/ACT
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement and supplemental essay
- Interviews
- Academic transcripts of secondary school examinations
- Proficiency in the English language
PG Admission Requirements
- An application form
- A certified copy of the diploma and/or degree certificate for any conferred degree
- English language requirement
- Essay
- GRE/GMAT
- Two letters of recommendation
English Language Requirements
Exam |
Minimum Score (UG) |
Minimum Score (PG) |
---|---|---|
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
80 |
80 |
Please note that the minimum English language requirement for international students given above may vary. Therefore, international students are advised to check the minimum English language requirement when applying.
Acceptance Rate
Northwestern University acceptance rate stands at 7%, which makes it extremely competitive for students to get into.
Application Fees
Northwestern University application fees for international students are as follows:
- For the undergraduate program application fee is USD 75 (INR 6,300)
- For the postgraduate program application fee is USD 95 (INR 7,976).
Conversion used: USD 1 - INR 83.96
- Application fees :USD 50 - 250
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Type of documents | Applicable for |
---|---|
SOP | Needed for few courses |
LOR | Needed for few courses |
Essays | Needed for few courses |
CV | Needed for few courses |
Additional documents | Required |
Intake season | Deadline |
---|---|
Fall | 3ʳᵈ - 15ᵗʰ Jan 2025 |
Summer | 10ᵗʰ Jan - 3ʳᵈ Apr 2024 |
Winter | 2ⁿᵈ Oct 2024 |
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Q: How to apply at Northwestern University?
Northwestern University takes admissions on a rolling basis. This means, international students can apply throughout the year at the university. The university takes admissions through four types of applications; QuestBridge, Early Decision, Regular Decision, and Transfer.
Type of Application | Particulars |
---|---|
QuestBridge | It is for high school seniors who have shown outstanding academic ability despite financial challenges through a process called College Match |
Early Decision | It is for those who have done good college research and are thrilled to land at Northwestern next Fall |
Regular Decision | This allows students to potentially consider multiple offers of admission and financial aid |
Transfer | This is for students who have enrolled in college courses after secondary school graduation for transfer admission |
Q: What is the admission deadline for international students at Northwestern University?
International applicants should check the admission deadline before applying for any program at Northwestern University. The admission deadlines for international students may vary from course to course and depend on various factors such as the type of application. Check below the admission deadlines for various types of applications:
Type of Application | Deadline |
---|---|
Early Decision | Over |
Regular Decision | Jan 3, 2025 |
Q: How to get into Northwestern MBA?
Northwestern University admission requirements for MBA course are:
- A bachelor’s or equivalent degree from an accredited university or college
- Previous study in Business or Economics is also required
- Two years of work experience
- GMAT / GRE score
- Written essays and video essays
- Letter of recommendation
- Complete application with an application fee of USD 250
- Clear the admissions interview
Also Read: MBA in USA
Q: What are some useful tips for students starting their first semester at Northwestern University?
Some of the useful tips for students starting the their first semester at Northwestern University are:
- Take advantage of the public lectures as they may help you bond with new people
- Surround yourself with people having a positive outlook
- Practice self care
- Find a group of friends who will challenge you in a positive way in every aspect of life
- Take time to meet your professors
Q: How to get into Northwestern University as an international student?
Northwestern University admission requirements are given below:
Undergraduate Admissions
- Completed application
- Northwestern University supplement, (with additional writing supplements)
- Official secondary school transcript and school report
- At least one teacher recommendation
- Counselor recommendation
- SAT or ACT scores (if applicable)
- Official proof of English language proficiency
- Any additional materials (if required)
Graduate Admissions
Generally, to submit a Northwestern University graduate application, the applicants are required to keep the following things in mind:
- First of all, explore the programs
- Next, check the course requirements
- Then, submit the Northwestern University graduate application and pay the application fee via credit card
- Then, check the admission decision
- Next, apply for aid (if applicable)
- Lastly, check the enrollment procedure if admitted
Northwestern UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
- Multi-dimensional
- Friendly
- Academically oriented
- 100% students never faced discrimination in this university
Placements
Northwestern University is recognized for having the highest placement rate in the United States of America. Northwestern University placement rate is 85%, and the graduates are employed within 3 months of graduation. The University placement rate attracts students from all over the world. Additionally, University graduates are always in high demand worldwide. The placement highlights at the university are given below:
- Northwestern University graduates work for companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, LinkedIn, etc.
- The University graduates are working in top sectors such as Business Development, Engineering, Information Technology, Marketing, and more.
- The graduates are highly skilled in Project Management, Leadership, Social Media, Strategic Planning, and others.
- Top programs that are chosen by university alumni include Economics, Journalism, Psychology, Marketing, Computer Science, etc.
Alumni Statistics: Sectors Placed
ROI After Education from Northwestern University
The average salary of Northwestern University graduates is USD 117,500 (INR 98.65 L) per year. Also, the average signing bonus is USD 30,000 (INR 25.18 L).
Top Employers
Some of the top employers at the Northwestern University are listed below:
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Deloitte
- Meta
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Salesforce
- McKinsey & Company
Course | Median Salary |
---|---|
MBA/PGDM | ₹125.42 LPA |
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Q: Can International students work part-time while studying in USA?
Yes, international students are allowed to do part-time work while studying. Part-time work is a great way to help themselves in paying off their tuition fees. It is not cheap to live in the United States. The cost of living in the United States depends on the tier of the city students live in. International students are allowed to work for 20 hours per week on part-time jobs to cover their expenses. There are a lot of part-time jobs available in the United States, students can work as a waiter or cashier in a restaurant.
Q: Who were the top employers for the MBA graduates of Northwestern University?
School | Top Recruiters |
---|---|
School of Communication | Chicago Public Schools, Forte Group, Starbucks, The Boeing Company, Towers Watson, Accenture, Amazon Corporate LLC, Apple, Inc., Avenue, etc. |
School of Education & Social Policy | EY, Illinois Institute of Technology, Miami University, PwC, ApplySquare, Aspira Inc., Chicago Booth, Columbia College, Duke University, etc. |
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications | Abbott, Adobe, AFP, Google, Deloitte, ESPN, IBM, Nielson Holdings, SFCG, The New York Times, United Airlines, American Airlines, etc. |
McCormick School of Engineering & Applied Science | Baker McKenzie, Boeing, BPRG, CDW, Chicago Transit Authority, eBay, General Electric, Google, GoDaddy, Honeywell, Intel, KPMG, LinkedIn, Union Pacific, etc. |
School of Professional Studies | Google, McMaster-Carr, Cigna, City of Chicago, Microsoft Corporation, Wells Fargo, Epic, Northrop Grumman, Voya Financial, etc. |
The Graduate School | Adjutant Solutions Group, Adult & Child Health, AeroTek, Affinity Counseling, Aker Solutions, DMC, EA, Ericsson Labs, Grant Thornton, etc. |
Q: Can you provide more information regarding the placements of Northwestern University?
Yes, you can check the below given table for the placements highlights of 2022.
Head | Details |
---|---|
Total Enrollment (Undergraduates and Graduates) | 22,000+ |
Average Salary (All Courses) | USD 61,100 |
the highest Salary (MBA) | USD 400,000 |
Average Salary (MBA) | USD 152,000 |
the highest Average (Consulting) | USD 174,441 |
Top Recruiters | Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Bloomberg, BNP Paribas, BMW, AT&T, ASUS, Chicago Booth, CNN, Citibank, Bain & Company, PwC, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., DDB, Duke University, ESPN Charlotte, EY, ExxonMobil, Fjord, FOX Sports, Gap, Inc., Goldman Sachs, Grant Thornton, Harley-Davidson, IBM, Jack Morton Worldwide, JP Morgan Chase, Kaplan, Kohler Co., Mackenzie Health, just to name a few |
Top Industries | Education, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, Communications, Marketing & Media, Government, Law & Non-Profit, Engineering, Technology, Consulting, Business & Financial Services, etc. |
Q: Can you provide some information regarding the career services provided by the Northwestern University?
Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) at the Northwestern University provides various career services to its students. These career services help the students in career planning and job search. In addition, NCA also provides various career enhancement programs that help the students in supplementing their academic experience with professional opportunities. Some of the career services are:
- Handshake Access: It is a central platform for accessing career services. Students can find job and internship opportunities, schedule appointments with career counselors, gain knowledge about career events, etc.
- Career Treks: A group of students visit various companies on these treks
- Career Fairs: These employer events present opportunities for the students to network
- NEXT (Northwestern Externship Program)
- SIGP (Summer Internship Grant Program)
Q: Can you Provide the industry wise salary details for Northwestern University?
The industry wise salary details for the MBA graduates of Northwestern University has been given in the table below.
Industry | Average Median Salary | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
Technology | USD 145,850 | USD 151,819 |
Venture Capital | USD 175,000 | USD 179722 |
Invesment Banking | USD 175,000 | USD 168,194 |
Financial Services | USD 175,000 | USD 170,348 |
Consulting | USD 175,000 | USD 174,441 |
Rankings 2025
Northwestern University is one of the best private universities in the United States. The university is consistently ranked among the top 100 universities in the United States and globally. It is known globally and across the US for its academic excellence and top-notch research facilities. According to the Shiksha Grading, Northwestern University has an overall ranking of A++ grade. Check below Northwester University rankings in the world as published by major ranking bodies:
Category |
Rankings |
---|---|
Best Colleges is National Universities 2025 |
#6 |
QS World University Rankings 2025 |
#50 |
World University Rankings 2025 |
#31 |
Also, the majority of the programs at Northwestern University are ranked in the range of A+ and A grades.
Top Courses |
Ranking |
---|---|
Biology |
A |
Biomedical Engineering |
A+ |
Business Analytics |
B++ |
Business Economics |
A+ |
Chemical Engineering |
A |
Civil Engineering |
A+ |
Computer Science |
A |
Electrical Engineering |
A |
Entrepreneurship |
B+ |
Finance |
B+ |
IT & System |
C++ |
Mathematics |
B+ |
Mechanical Engineering |
A+ |
Physics |
A |
Politics |
B++ |
Supply Chain |
C++ |
NOTE: What makes Shiksha Grading stand out is that the website uses the aggregate of all the publicly available university and course rankings from top-ranking publishers and maps it into 9 buckets - A++, A+, A, B++, B+, B, C++, C+, C. In this method, universities are graded by country, and courses are graded by availability at the college in a particular country.
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Q: Is it worth pursuing an MBA from Northwestern University?
Northwestern University is known for its highly-ranked and top-rated MBA program. The Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern is one of the best business schools in the United States. It is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The QS World University Rankings 2024 ranked Northwestern #12 in the world for Global MBA. Whereas, THE World University Rankings 2024 ranked Northwestern #13 in the world for Business and Economics.
Q: Is Northwestern University a good university?
Northwestern University is one of the finest institutions of higher education in the United States. The university is consistently ranked among the top universities globally and nationally. The QS World University Rankings 2024 ranked Northwestern University #47 in the world. Meanwhile, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023 ranked Northwestern #26 in the world. Also, the U.S. News and World Report 2023 ranked it #24 and #10 among global and national universities respectively.
Q: Are engineering programs at Northwestern University good?
Northwestern University offers highly ranked and top-rated Engineering programs through McCormick School of Engineering. It offers a number of Engineering programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The QS World University Rankings 2024 ranked Northwestern #62 for Engineering and Technology in the world. Whereas, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024 ranked Northwestern #31 for Engineering programs in the world
Study in the USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.Commonly asked questions On Study in Country
Q: What is the cost of a student visa for the United States?
The United States of America offers various kinds of visas depending on your purpose of travel. You are required to visit the Department of State website for visa information and apply for a visa by scheduling visa appointments. The United States Offer three types of students visa; F, J, and M. The F student visa is to study at an accredited U.S. university or college. The J student visa is for students going to the United States on a student exchange program. Meanwhile, the M student visa is for non-academic or vocational training programs in the United States. The visa application fee for processing the F, J and M visas is USD160/INR 13,324. This fee is collected by the U.S. Department of State and it is a non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa fee.
*USD/INR = 83.28
Northwestern University FAQs
Q: What does it feel like to go to Northwestern University?
Northwestern University is one of the top private universities in the United States. Experience at NU will vary from individual to individual. However, as per a former student at Northwestern University, there’s a very strong sense of community, everyone is extremely motivated to learn rather than compete for grades, and the whole class meet regularly and work on assignments together. Furthermore, the student described the social scene at the university as parties are there if you look for them, but there is never any pressure to attend and there are also tons of clubs and events on campus, so it’s pretty hard to get bored.
Northwestern University
Student Forum
Answered 2 months ago
Northwestern University and Duke University are the most esteemed universities for higher education in the United States. Both the universities have their merits and demerits. According to Shiksha Grading, Northwestern University is ranked A+, and Duke University is also ranked A+. Additionally, Nor
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
Diverse facets of Northwestern State University of Louisiana are highlighted in student opinions. Students value the helpful staff, safe environment, and security measures on campus. While they typically compliment the campus's amenities, such as the cafeteria, and beauty, they also bring up problem
M
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
The tuition and fees for online students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana are as follows:
Undergraduate: $375 per credit hour up to 12 hours, then $100 per credit hour thereafter.
Graduate: $475 per credit hour up to 9 hours, then $100 per credit hour thereafter.
Let's consider a scenario
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
No, it is not hard to get into Northwestern State University of Louisiana. The school has an extremely high acceptance rate of 96-98%, making it very easy to gain admission. The average SAT score of admitted students is 1045, with a middle 50% range of 920-1120. The average ACT score is 20, with a m
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
The fundamental pieces of these two applications are the same: we will review your secondary school curriculum & transcript, your teacher recommendation (s), your extracurricular/community involvement & leadership, your standardized test scores, and your personal responses to essay and short-answer
M
Beginner-Level 5
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Which university is better: Northwestern University or Duke University?