Northwestern University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.

Northwestern University is a highly selective private research university with an acceptance rate of 9.1%. To apply, students can use the Common Application or Coalition Application. Northwestern has an Early Decision program that can improve admission chances for students who are sure the university is their top choice school.

Considering applying to this highly selective school? Here are the Northwestern admissions statistics you should know.

Why Northwestern University?

• Location: Evanston, Illinois
• Campus Features: Northwestern's 240-acre campus sits on the shore of Lake Michigan and includes a lakefront park. Downtown Chicago is located just 12 miles south of campus.
• Student/Faculty Ratio: 6:1
• Athletics: The Northwestern Wildcats compete in the NCAA Division I Big Ten Conference.
• Highlights: One of the most highly-ranked universities in the country, Northwestern is a major center for both research and education. With an $11 billion endowment, the school provides significant grant aid for qualifying students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Northwestern University had an acceptance rat of 9.1%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 9 students were admitted, making Northwestern's admissions process highly competitive.

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Northwestern University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Northwestern has a highly competitive admissions pool with a low acceptance rate and high average SAT/ACT scores. However, Northwestern has a holistic admissions process involving other factors beyond your grades and test scores. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. You'll also want to put plenty of thought into your supplemental "Why Northwestern?" essay. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your interest and show that specific features of Northwestern University align with your interests and aspirations. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their test scores are outside Northwestern's average range.

If you're applying to Northwestern, you should consider the school a reach even if you have exceptional grades and standardized test scores. The graph above illustrates why. Many students with unweighted "A" averages and extremely high standardized test scores were still rejected by Northwestern University.