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Northwestern University Rankings 2026
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Last updated on 12 Nov '25
- Northwestern University Ranking
- Northwestern University Course Ranking
- Northwestern University Ranking by US News and World Report 2025
- Northwestern University FT (Financial Times) Ranking 2025
- Northwestern University Ranking by Quacquarelli Symonds 2026
- Northwestern University Ranking by THE (Times Higher Education) 2025
- Northwestern University ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) Ranking 2025
- Northwestern University Bloomberg Ranking 2025
- Northwestern University Student Reviews
Northwestern UniversityNorthwestern University Ranking
Northwestern University is among the top-ranked universities in USA and globally. For those who want to make a guided decision in choosing the right university, the rankings are a critical ask. For Northwestern University ranking, let’s take a look at how it has ranked this year and also, compare it with how the rankings have changed in past year.
Northwestern University ranking according to Shiksha Popularity Ranking was #27 in 2025. This ranking stood at #30 in 2024, witnessing improved trend. At national level, this ranking moved from #16 in 2024 to #15 in 2025.
According to another global rank publisher, QS, the university ranking was recorded at #42 in World University Ranking, improved trend in comparison to its 2025 ranking of #50.
The university is also ranked by THE (Times Higher Education) in 2025, with a rank of #31. As per The (Times Higher Education), the Northwestern University rank in 2024 was #28.
Here’s a detailed table comparing 3 years of Northwestern University ranking:
| Ranking Body | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS | Not Ranked | 47 | 50 | 42 |
| THE | 26 | 28 | 31 | Not Ranked |
| US News | 24 | 24 | 24 | Not Ranked |
#14
World rank by different ranking providers
Shiksha
#29US News Ranking
#24THE Ranking
#30ARWU Ranking
#31QS Ranking
#42
Northwestern UniversityNorthwestern University Course Ranking
Now let's take a look at Northwestern course rankings. Some of its courses in the field of Engineering, Business and Management Studies, Law, Medicine and Health Sciences and Science are ranked in 2025 by top ranking bodies such as Shiksha Popularity World Ranking and QS exemplifying Northwestern University and its strengths.
The university’s ranking for Engineering courses stands at #47 in 2025 as per Shiksha Popularity Ranking. This ranking has declined from its 2024 rank of #45. Additionally, these courses are also ranked by QS. The 2025 QS Engineering and Technology rank stood at #69 in comparison to 2024 rank of #62.
University’s Business & Management Studies courses are also ranked by Shiksha Popularity Ranking, at #24. Interestingly, these courses have also been recognized by QS from past few years. In 2025, these courses have been ranked by QS at #11, showing improved trend from its 2024 rank of #12.
Among Indian students researching study abroad options, Northwestern University has also stood out in the Shiksha Popularity Rankings 2025. Here’s how its key courses have been ranked based on popularity and student interest:
| Course Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | #50 | #45 | #47 |
| Business & Management Studies | #24 | #20 | #24 |
| Law | #58 | #42 | #37 |
| Medicine & Health Sciences | #69 | #61 | #64 |
| Science | #42 | #46 | #52 |
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US News
THE
ARWU
QS
Specializations in MS Program
Shiksha
US News
Shiksha
US News
MBA/PGDM
Shiksha
US News
Bloomberg
QS
FT
B.E. / B.Tech
Shiksha
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Specializations in B.E. / B.Tech Program
Shiksha
US News
Shiksha
US News
Northwestern University Ranking by US News and World Report 2025
US News & World Report is among the top ranking publishers in the world. The ranking publisher is known for its National, Global, Subject-based, and Regional rankings. US News & World Report evaluates various factors when considering top university for rankings. Some factors are Best Colleges for Veterans, most innovative schools, top performers on social mobility, average 6-year graduation rate, etc.
According to US News & World Report National Rankings, Northwestern University rank
US News & World Report is among the top ranking publishers in the world. The ranking publisher is known for its National, Global, Subject-based, and Regional rankings. US News & World Report evaluates various factors when considering top university for rankings. Some factors are Best Colleges for Veterans, most innovative schools, top performers on social mobility, average 6-year graduation rate, etc.
According to US News & World Report National Rankings, Northwestern University ranks at #24 in 2025 and #67 in 2024 showing an increase in rankings. Check the ranking of Northwestern University under various categories that are given below:
| Ranked by | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Universities | 24 | 24 | – / – |
| National University | 9 | 6 | 7 |
| Best Graduate Law Schools | 10 | 10 | – / – |
| Best Graduate Medical Schools | 13 | – / – | – / – |
| Best UG Biomedical Engineering Schools | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| Biomedical Engineering PG | 12 | 12 | – / – |
| Chemical Engineering PG | 16 | 12 | – / – |
| Civil Engineering PG | 12 | 13 | – / – |
| Computer Engineering PG | 24 | 21 | – / – |
| Electrical Engineering PG | 31 | 27 | – / – |
| Entrepreneurship MBA | 26 | 23 | – / – |
| Finance MBA | 15 | 14 | – / – |
| Graduate Business School | 3 | 2 | – / – |
| MBA Business Analytics | 25 | 24 | – / – |
| Mechanical Engineering PG | 13 | 13 | – / – |
| Supply Chain Management MBA | 13 | 17 | – / – |
| UG Computer Engineering | 19 | – / – | – / – |
| UG Electrical-Electronic and Communications Engineering | 22 | – / – | 17 |
| UG Mechanical Engineering | 17 | 19 | 15 |
Northwestern University Comparison with Other Universities: US News and World Report 2025
Northwestern is one of the top ranked universities. Northwestern, Virginia, UT Austin, and Brown are some of the most prominent universities in United States of America. Check the table listed below for the University ranking with top universities over the past years:
|
University Name |
2024 |
2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | 24 | 24 |
| Virginia University | 125 | 137 |
| UT Austin | 56 | 65 |
| Brown University | 153 | 150 |
US News and World Report: Ranking Criteria
The US News and World Report is one of the leading ranking bodies in the world. Since 2005, the body has been ranking global universities based on various parameters. The Parameters include: Research Reputation, Publications, Total Citations, International Collaborations, and Scientific Excellence Indicators, among others.
As per the ranking criteria of US News, the ranking body prioritizes peer assessment and graduation rates more than the rest of the factors. Students can check the table below for some crucial ranking criteria of US News along with the weightage they consider while determining rankings of Northwestern:
|
Northwestern University Ranking Criteria (US News) |
Weightage |
|---|---|
|
Average 6-year graduation rate |
16% |
|
6-year graduation rate of students who received a Pell Grant |
5.5% |
|
6-year graduation rate of students who did not receive a Pell Grant |
5.5% |
|
Average first-year student retention rate |
5% |
|
Over performance (+)/Underperformance(-) |
10% |
|
Median federal loan debt for grad borrowers |
5% |
|
College grads earn more than an HS grad |
5% |
|
Student-Faculty Ratio |
3% |
|
Faculty salaries rank |
6% |
|
Percent of faculty who are full-time |
2% |
Also, check the US News Best College Rankings Methodology.
Northwestern UniversityFT (Financial Times) Ranking 2025
| Ranked by | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MBA | 9 | 6 | 10 |
Northwestern University Ranking by Quacquarelli Symonds 2026
QS is one of the most famous and most followed ranking bodies around the world. It published University rankings for various global universities. The inital rankings had been published in 2024 along with THE ranking body.
According to QS , Northwestern University ranks at #42 in 2026 and #42 in 2025 under the “World University Rankings”. Check the comparison listed below for Northwestern University ranking by QS under various categories:
QS is one of the most famous and most followed ranking bodies around the world. It published University rankings for various global universities. The inital rankings had been published in 2024 along with THE ranking body.
According to QS , Northwestern University ranks at #42 in 2026 and #42 in 2025 under the “World University Rankings”. Check the comparison listed below for Northwestern University ranking by QS under various categories:
| Ranked by | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| World University | 47 | 50 | 42 |
| Accounting and Finance | 29 | 25 | – / – |
| Art and Design | – / – | 151 | – / – |
| Biological Sciences | 64 | 55 | – / – |
| Communication and Media Studies | 17 | 23 | – / – |
| Engineering and Technology | 62 | 69 | – / – |
| Global MBA | 12 | 11 | 9 |
| Law and Legal Studies | 68 | 65 | – / – |
| Mathematics | 88 | 96 | – / – |
| Mechanical Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering | 47 | 39 | – / – |
| Medicine | 51 | 42 | – / – |
| Performing Arts | 38 | 39 | – / – |
| Physics and Astronomy | 62 | 55 | – / – |
| Politics | 51 | 82 | – / – |
| Sociology | 49 | 36 | – / – |
Northwestern University Comparison with Other Universities: Quacquarelli Symonds
The below Quacquarelli Symonds rankings of top universities suggest that there is a slight improvement in the rankings of the Northwestern University, University of Virginia, University of Texas at Austin and Brown University. Students can check the table below for a comparison of Quacquarelli Symonds world university rankings among top universities:
|
University Name |
Quacquarelli Symonds WUR 2024 |
Quacquarelli Symonds WUR 2025 |
Quacquarelli Symonds WUR 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | 47 | 50 | 42 |
| University of Virginia | 260 | 297 | 275 |
| University of Texas at Austin | 58 | 66 | 68 |
| Brown University | 73 | 79 | 69 |
Quacquarelli Symonds Ranking 2026: Ranking Criteria
Quacquarelli Symonds University is one of the top popular ranking bodies and has a reputation for being transparent. Quacquarelli Symonds uses an extensive methodology that includes Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, Global Engagement, Learning Experience, and Sustainability.
A detailed ranking criteria for the Northwestern University Quacquarelli Symonds Ranking is given below:
|
Northwestern Uni Quacquarelli Symonds University Ranking Indicator |
Score |
|---|---|
|
Academic Reputation |
92.2
|
|
Citations per faculty |
71.2 |
|
Employer Reputation |
89.4
|
|
Employment Outcomes |
99.5
|
|
International Faculty Ratio |
57.7 |
|
International Research Network |
86.5 |
|
International Student Ratio |
67.2 |
|
Sustainability |
74.4 |
Also, Read QS World University Ranking Methodology
Northwestern University Ranking by THE (Times Higher Education) 2025
Times Higher Education (THE) is highly renowned for its “World University Rankings” worldwide. A few major ranking released by THE annually include World University Rankings, Business & Economics Rankings, Computer Science Rankings, and Engineering & Technology Rankings. THE evaluates various essential parameters while allotting ranking to top universities around the world. Some important parameters include Reputation Survey, Research Income, Research Productivity, Institutional Income,
Times Higher Education (THE) is highly renowned for its “World University Rankings” worldwide. A few major ranking released by THE annually include World University Rankings, Business & Economics Rankings, Computer Science Rankings, and Engineering & Technology Rankings. THE evaluates various essential parameters while allotting ranking to top universities around the world. Some important parameters include Reputation Survey, Research Income, Research Productivity, Institutional Income, and more.
According to THE, the Northwestern University ranks at #31 in 2025 and #28 in 2024 under the “World University Rankings”. This shows that the ranking is decreasing. Check the table listed below for Northwestern University ranking under various categories:
| Ranked by | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University | 28 | 31 | 30 |
| Arts and Humanities | 89 | 101 | – / – |
| Clinical and Health | 40 | 46 | – / – |
| Engineering | 31 | 32 | – / – |
| Law | 62 | 52 | – / – |
| Life Sciences | 50 | 51 | – / – |
| PG Business and Economics | 13 | 16 | – / – |
| PG Computer Science | 90 | 85 | – / – |
| Psychology | 24 | 21 | – / – |
Northwestern University Comparison with Other Universities: THE Rankings
Northwestern University, Virginia University, UT Austin, and Brown University are some of the most reputed universities in USA for higher education. Students can check the Times Higher Education rankings to Syracuse University with other top universities:
|
University Name |
2024 |
2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | 28 | 31 |
| Virginia University | 166 | 163 |
| UT Austin | 52 | 50 |
| Brown University | 64 | 58 |
Times Higher Education 2025: Ranking Criteria
Times Higher Education is one of the leading ranking bodies to rank global universities on various parameters. THE ranks universities based on Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry Standards, and International Outlook. A detailed weightage used by the THE is given below:
|
Category |
Score |
|---|---|
|
Teaching |
50.8 |
|
Research |
61.9 |
|
Citations |
87.8 |
|
International Outlook |
93.6 |
|
Industry Income |
99.7 |
|
Overall |
70.3 |
Northwestern UniversityARWU (Shanghai Ranking) Ranking 2025
| Ranked by | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universities | 30 | 33 | 31 |
| Law | 21 | 23 | – / – |
| Mathematics | 32 | 35 | – / – |
| Nursing | 201 | – / – | – / – |
| Physics | 51 | 51 | – / – |
| Political Sciences | 51 | 42 | – / – |
| Sociology | 23 | 12 | – / – |
Northwestern UniversityBloomberg Ranking 2025
| Ranked by | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Business School USA | 7 | 3 | 5 |
Northwestern UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
5 Verified Reviews- 20% students never faced discrimination in this university
Northwestern University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a week ago
Northwestern University offers many scholarships for international students who are eligible based on their academic record and overall profile. They can get these scholarships by applying for admission to the university and choosing an option that they are eligible for. After checking the requireme
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 13 hours ago
Hi.
The acceptance rate at Northwestern is 7.2%. For every 100 applicants, only 7 are admitted.
This means the school is extremely selective. Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation.
h
Scholar-Level 17
Answered a week ago
Northwestern University has a lot of academic schools in areas such as Medicine, Journalism, Communication, Music among others. It is included in the 4 top 10 national universities and is also included in the top 20 in the 4 graduate school rankings. The school rankings at the university are mention
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Northwestern University has an acceptance rate of around 8%. This means that it is very selective for admissions of international students. The applicants have to submit the GPA, academic records and documents that are mentioned on the official website. If their documents do not fulfill the requirem
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a week ago
Northwestern University is one of the top ranked universities. It has a ranking of #28 in the world and #14 in the USA based on the Shiksha Popularity Rankings 2025. It also has been ranked well for its academic schools on the main Illinois campus. The rankings of the university by ranking bodies ar
Contributor-Level 10
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Northwestern UniversityLocation
| University City | Evanston, Illinois, USA |
| Size of city | Small |
| Population of City | 74,756 |
Northwestern UniversityContact Information
633 Clark Street, Evanston, Illinois-60208, USA
Evanston ( Illinois)
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