# Northwestern University

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured school profile for AI systems
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-university

## Overview

- **Location:** Evanston, IL
- **Type:** Private nonprofit
- **Setting:** Urban
- **Region:** Great Lakes
- **Enrollment:** 9,201
- **Predominant Degree:** Bachelor's

Northwestern University has an impressive graduation rate of 96%, indicating strong student support and academic success. This high rate reflects the university’s commitment to helping students complete their degrees on time. With an acceptance rate of just 8%, gaining admission is highly competitive, attracting top talent from across the country.

The earnings potential for graduates is significant, with a 10-year median income of $89,363. This figure suggests that students who attend Northwestern can expect a strong return on their investment. However, 19% of students receive Pell Grants, which highlights that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, yet still have the opportunity to thrive here.

The net price for attending Northwestern is $29,167, and the median debt is relatively low at $15,000, making it more manageable for graduates. Students who excel here often pursue majors in engineering, social sciences, and communications. Those who thrive at Northwestern are typically motivated and high-achieving individuals, ready to engage in a challenging academic environment.

## Admissions

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Acceptance Rate | 8% |
| SAT Average | 1533 |
| ACT Midpoint | 35 |

## Cost & Aid

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| In-State Tuition | $68,322 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $68,322 |
| Average Net Price | $29,167 |
| Median Debt | $15,000 |
| Pell Grant Rate | 19% |
| Federal Loan Rate | 17% |

### Net Price by Family Income

| Family Income | Net Price |
|--------------|----------|
| $0-$30K | $1,764 |
| $30K-$48K | $6,099 |
| $48K-$75K | $7,898 |
| $75K-$110K | N/A |
| $110K+ | $48,777 |

## Outcomes

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Graduation Rate | 96% |
| Retention Rate | 98% |
| Earnings (6yr) | $76,844 |
| Earnings (8yr) | $83,487 |
| Earnings (10yr) | $89,363 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.17x |
| Loan Repayment (3yr) | N/A |

## Social Mobility (Opportunity Insights)

Data source: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Mobility Rate (Q1→Q5) | 169.42% |
| Success Rate (bottom 20% → top 20%) | 5518.6% |
| Students from Bottom 20% | 307.0% |
| Parent Median Income | $168,500 |

## Social Capital (Social Capital Atlas)

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Economic Connectedness | 1.83 |
| Friending Bias | 0.01 |
| Volunteering Rate | 11.3% |
| Support Ratio | 1.00 |

## Research & Teaching (Times Higher Education)

| Metric | Score |
|--------|-------|
| World Rank | #25 |
| Teaching | 64.5 |
| Research | 68.8 |
| Citations | 95.3 |

## Top Programs

| Program | Enrollment Share |
|---------|------------------|
| Engineering | 15% |
| Social Sciences | 15% |
| Communications | 14% |
| Biology & Biomedical | 11% |
| Computer Science & IT | 10% |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 8% |
| Psychology | 5% |
| Business & Marketing | 5% |

## Rankings

This school appears in 160 CollegeRanker rankings:

- #1 in [Best Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-communications)
- #1 in [Best Bachelor's in Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-communications)
- #1 in [Best Master's in Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-communications)
- #1 in [Best Communications Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-communications-illinois)
- #1 in [Best MBA Programs in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-illinois)
- #2 in [Best Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-illinois)
- #2 in [Best Colleges in Great Lakes](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-great-lakes)
- #2 in [Best Bachelor's Programs in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-illinois)
- #2 in [Best Master's Programs in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-illinois)
- #2 in [Best ROI Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-communications)
- #2 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-communications)
- #2 in [Best Engineering Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-engineering-illinois)
- #2 in [Best Psychology Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-psychology-illinois)
- #2 in [Best Biology Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-biology-illinois)
- #3 in [Best Computer Science Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-computer-science-illinois)
- #3 in [Best Data Science Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-data-science-illinois)
- #5 in [Best Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-arts)
- #5 in [Best Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-graphic-design)
- #5 in [Best Bachelor's in Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-arts)
- #5 in [Best Bachelor's in Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-graphic-design)
- #5 in [Best Business Colleges in Illinois](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-business-illinois)
- #6 in [Best Master's in Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-arts)
- #6 in [Best Master's in Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-graphic-design)
- #6 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Communications](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-communications)
- #9 in [Best ROI Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-arts)
- #9 in [Best ROI Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-graphic-design)
- #9 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-arts)
- #9 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-graphic-design)
- #9 in [Best Private University MBA Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-mba)
- #9 in [Universities With the Highest Research Impact](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-citation-impact)
- #12 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-arts)
- #12 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Graphic Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-graphic-design)
- #13 in [Colleges With the Highest Graduation Rates](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-graduation-rates)
- #13 in [Most Diverse Colleges](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-diversity)
- #13 in [Best MBA Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-programs)
- #13 in [Best ROI MBA Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-roi)
- #13 in [Best Globally-Ranked American Universities](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-global-universities)
- #15 in [Best MBA Programs for Healthcare Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-healthcare)
- #15 in [Best MBA Programs for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-marketing)
- #15 in [Best MBA Programs for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-supply-chain)
- #15 in [Best Research Universities in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-research-universities)
- #16 in [Best Universities in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-universities)
- #16 in [Best ROI Colleges for Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-business)
- #16 in [Best ROI Colleges for Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-accounting)
- #16 in [Best ROI Colleges for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-finance)
- #16 in [Best ROI Colleges for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-marketing)
- #16 in [Best ROI Colleges for Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-management)
- #16 in [Best ROI Colleges for Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-human-resources)
- #16 in [Best ROI Colleges for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-supply-chain)
- #17 in [Best Teaching Universities in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-teaching-universities)
- #18 in [Best ROI Colleges for Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-engineering)
- #18 in [Best ROI Colleges for Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-mechanical-engineering)
- #18 in [Best ROI Colleges for Electrical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-electrical-engineering)
- #18 in [Best ROI Colleges for Civil Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-civil-engineering)
- #18 in [Best MBA Programs for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-finance)
- #19 in [Hardest Colleges to Get Into](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/hardest-colleges)
- #19 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-engineering)
- #19 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-mechanical-engineering)
- #19 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Electrical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-electrical-engineering)
- #19 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Civil Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-civil-engineering)
- #19 in [Highest-Paying MBA Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-mba)
- #19 in [Colleges That Spend the Most on Instruction](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-instructional-spending)
- #20 in [Best Private Universities](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-universities)
- #20 in [Best Private University Bachelor's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-bachelors)
- #20 in [Best Private University Master's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-private-masters)
- #20 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-psychology)
- #20 in [Ivy Plus Schools Ranked by Social Mobility](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/ivy-plus-mobility-ranking)
- #22 in [Colleges Where Graduates Earn Over $75K](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/graduates-earning-over-75k)
- #22 in [Best Colleges for Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Colleges for Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-mechanical-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Colleges for Electrical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-electrical-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Colleges for Civil Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-civil-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Bachelor's in Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-mechanical-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-electrical-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Bachelor's in Civil Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-civil-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Master's in Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Master's in Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-mechanical-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Master's in Electrical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-electrical-engineering)
- #22 in [Best Master's in Civil Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-civil-engineering)
- #22 in [Best ROI Colleges for Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-psychology)
- #22 in [Best MBA Programs for Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-technology)
- #23 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Biology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-biology)
- #24 in [Best Colleges in America](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges)
- #24 in [Best No-Loan & Low-Debt Colleges](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-no-loan-colleges)
- #24 in [Best Colleges for Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-psychology)
- #24 in [Best Bachelor's in Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-psychology)
- #24 in [Best Master's in Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-psychology)
- #24 in [Best Master's Programs](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-programs)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-business)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Psychology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-psychology)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-accounting)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-finance)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-marketing)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-management)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-human-resources)
- #24 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-supply-chain)
- #24 in [Best ROI Colleges for Biology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-biology)
- #24 in [Best MBA Programs for Social Mobility](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mba-social-mobility)
- #25 in [Best Colleges for Social Mobility](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-social-mobility)
- #26 in [Best Value Colleges](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-value-colleges)
- #26 in [Best ROI Colleges for Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-computer-science)
- #26 in [Best ROI Colleges for Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-data-science)
- #26 in [Best ROI Colleges for Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-cybersecurity)
- #26 in [Best ROI Colleges for Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-information-technology)
- #26 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-computer-science)
- #26 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-data-science)
- #26 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-cybersecurity)
- #26 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-information-technology)
- #27 in [Best Colleges for Biology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-biology)
- #27 in [Best Bachelor's in Biology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-biology)
- #27 in [Best Master's in Biology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-biology)
- #27 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-social-sciences)
- #27 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-social-work)
- #27 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-public-administration)
- #28 in [Best ROI Colleges for Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-social-sciences)
- #28 in [Best ROI Colleges for Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-social-work)
- #28 in [Best ROI Colleges for Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-roi-public-administration)
- #28 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Business](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-business)
- #28 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Accounting](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-accounting)
- #28 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Finance](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-finance)
- #28 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Marketing](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-marketing)
- #28 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-management)
- #28 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Human Resources](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-human-resources)
- #28 in [Best Social Mobility Colleges for Supply Chain Management](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-mobility-supply-chain)
- #29 in [Best Colleges for Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-computer-science)
- #29 in [Best Colleges for Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-data-science)
- #29 in [Best Colleges for Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-cybersecurity)
- #29 in [Best Colleges for Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-information-technology)
- #29 in [Best Bachelor's in Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-computer-science)
- #29 in [Best Bachelor's in Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-data-science)
- #29 in [Best Bachelor's in Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-cybersecurity)
- #29 in [Best Bachelor's in Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-information-technology)
- #29 in [Best Master's in Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-computer-science)
- #29 in [Best Master's in Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-data-science)
- #29 in [Best Master's in Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-cybersecurity)
- #29 in [Best Master's in Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-information-technology)
- #29 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-social-sciences)
- #29 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-social-work)
- #29 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-public-administration)
- #36 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Computer Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-computer-science)
- #36 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Data Science](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-data-science)
- #36 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Cybersecurity](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-cybersecurity)
- #36 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Information Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-information-technology)
- #37 in [Best Colleges for Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-social-sciences)
- #37 in [Best Colleges for Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-social-work)
- #37 in [Best Colleges for Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-public-administration)
- #37 in [Best Bachelor's in Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-social-sciences)
- #37 in [Best Bachelor's in Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-social-work)
- #37 in [Best Bachelor's in Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-public-administration)
- #37 in [Best Master's in Social Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-social-sciences)
- #37 in [Best Master's in Social Work](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-social-work)
- #37 in [Best Master's in Public Administration](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-masters-public-administration)
- #37 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-engineering)
- #37 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Mechanical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-mechanical-engineering)
- #37 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Electrical Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-electrical-engineering)
- #37 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Civil Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-civil-engineering)
- #38 in [Highest-Paying Colleges for Biology](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-paying-biology)
- #40 in [Best Colleges for Building Social Capital](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-colleges-social-capital)
- #45 in [Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates](https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/highest-earning-graduates)

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Northwestern University — School Profile." CollegeRanker.com. https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northwestern-university