

Northwestern University: Rankings, Cost, Programs, Placements
- Private University
240 acre campus
- Estd. 1851
Northwestern University Popular Courses
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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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
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 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.
Northwestern UniversityNorthwestern 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:
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 |
---|---|
MBA Round 1 |
Sep, 2025 (Tentative) |
Students also check: How to Write Northwestern MBA Essays
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 |
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
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 |
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
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
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 6 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 | ₹127.92 LPA |
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
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.
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. |
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. |
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)
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 |
Northwestern University Ranking 2025
Northwestern University is considered to be one of the top universities in USA. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, Northwestern University ranking stands at #17 in 2025, at national level. Apart from this, the university is also ranked by QS 2025 at #50 for World University Ranking category. The university ranking for QS at World University Ranking level for 2024 was #47. This shows that the university's position has witnessed a declined trend this year.
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) also ranks the university among the top names. In 2024, Northwestern University ranking stood at #33 for Universities Rankings category, showcasing a declined trend when compared to the last year.Moreover, a few of the Northwestern University courses are also ranked by Shiksha Popularity Ranking. Below are the course rankings:
Course name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2025 |
---|---|
MIM | #22 |
B.E. / B.Tech | #17 |
MS | #24 |
MBA/PGDM | #7 |
Others PG | #17 |
#30
#15
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
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.
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.
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
Northwestern UniversityStudent profile
Others
58%
Asian
20%
Hispanic
14%
Black
6%
Out of state
67%
In state
21%
Foreign
10%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
Study in the USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.Commonly asked questions On Study in Country
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
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 Yesterday
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and Northwestern University are one of the best universities in the USA. Both the universities offer high placement rate, top-notch infrastructure, impressive ROI, best degree programs and more for its international students. University of Wisconsin Milwaukee placem
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Contributor-Level 8
Answered 2 months ago
The ease of Finding Part-Time Jobs at Northwestern University
Acquiring part-time jobs while studying is a breeze at Northwestern, particularly with the Student Job Board listing myriad opportunities both on campus and off. Certain positions available to Federal Work-Study (FWS) students may offer ex
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Courses Favorite Among Indian Students at Northwestern University
Northwestern University's popular courses among Indian students form journalism, marketing and communications, engineering, and business. Programs of merit with regard to academic excellence and career options constitute the aforementi
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Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Work on projects that u
a
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
- Valid passport: A passport that's valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US
- I-20 or DS-2019: A valid form from Northwestern
- SEVIS fee payment receipt: A receipt for the $35
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Contributor-Level 10
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Northwestern University





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633 Clark Street, Evanston, Illinois-60208, USA
Evanston ( Illinois)
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