Northwestern University
Illinois, United States
Founded1851
Campus240 acres
Endowment$14.3B
Students8,300 UG / 14,000 PG
Acceptance7.0%
Faculty3,800
Ratio6:1
Updated February 7, 2026
Overview
Founded and incorporated in 1851, Northwestern University is a premier private research institution known for its rigorous academic standards and interdisciplinary approach. The university is composed of 12 specialized schools, including the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the Kellogg School of Management, and the Medill School of Journalism. It operates on a quarter system and is dedicated to a mission of excellence in teaching, innovative research, and personal growth for its approximately 23,000 students.
The institution is recognized for its commitment to access and affordability, meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted students. With a total endowment of $14.3 billion, Northwestern provides substantial financial support, ensuring that many students from low- and middle-income families can attend tuition-free. The university's long history is marked by the establishment of some of the oldest and most prestigious professional schools in the United States.
Location
Northwestern University operates across three distinct geographic settings. The primary undergraduate campus is located in Evanston, Illinois, situated on the traditional homelands of the Council of Three Fires along the shores of Lake Michigan. This campus houses the majority of undergraduate programs, the University Library, and the Norris University Center.
The university also maintains a significant professional campus in downtown Chicago. This urban location is home to the Feinberg School of Medicine, the Pritzker School of Law, and the School of Professional Studies. It is also the site of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital complex. Additionally, the university has established an international presence with a branch campus in Doha, Qatar, which focuses specifically on journalism and communication programs.
Evanston, United States
Also in: Chicago, United States
Campuses
Evanston Campus
MainEvanston· United States
Chicago Campus
Chicago· United States
Campus Culture
Northwestern University fosters a diverse and international student community, representing over 75 home countries. The student body is highly inclusive; for the undergraduate class of 2024, 56% of students identified as BIPOC, 16% were first-generation college students, and 20% were Pell Grant recipients. This diversity is supported by a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, which allows for an intimate and collaborative learning environment despite the university's large research scale.
Student life is enriched by a wide array of extracurricular opportunities and traditions. As a member of the Big Ten conference, the university sponsors 19 intercollegiate athletic teams and maintains a strong commitment to student-athlete success, boasting a 98% NCAA graduation success rate. The campus culture emphasizes interdisciplinary exploration, with many students pursuing dual degrees or certificates across different schools, such as the popular five-year programs combining liberal arts or engineering with music.
Rankings
Northwestern University maintains a reputation as one of the top-tier academic institutions in the United States, currently ranked #7 among national universities. Its prestige is reflected in its highly selective admissions process, which sees an acceptance rate of approximately 7% to 7.4%. The university is particularly noted for its high graduation rates, achieving a 95% six-year graduation rate for undergraduates and a 97% rate for Pell Grant recipients.
The university's individual schools are also highly regarded globally. The Feinberg School of Medicine is affiliated with top-ranked facilities, including the #1 hospital in Illinois and the top-ranked rehabilitation hospital in the country. Furthermore, Northwestern is a leader in collegiate athletics, tying for the top NCAA overall graduation success rate among Football Bowl Subdivision schools.
Research
As a comprehensive research university, Northwestern provides extensive resources for scholarly inquiry and innovation. The university library system is the 10th-largest among private U.S. universities and contains significant historical and musical collections. Research is integrated into the undergraduate experience through the Office of Undergraduate Research, which awards approximately $1.5 million annually to support student-led projects.
The university's research enterprise spans 12 schools, with major focus areas in medicine, engineering, journalism, and social policy. Notable research facilities include the Northwestern Memorial Hospital complex and various investigative labs within the Medill School of Journalism. The institution's commitment to research is further evidenced by its robust graduate programs, which support over 14,000 graduate students in pursuing advanced degrees and certificates in high-growth fields like Data Science and Health Informatics.