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Evanston, IL · Private · Medium · Suburban
4.4x the Regular Decision rate
Admitted students who enroll
How much the school says contact matters
Deadlines, fees, testing policy, and recommendation requirements come from the Common App 2026-2027 First-Year Deadlines, Fees and Requirements file published August 28, 2026. Schools can still change a date after publication, so confirm anything you are close to with the school.
Rated Very important in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set this school published.
Admitted students who enroll
Of enrolled students
Of enrolled students
Reported by the school to IPEDS for fall 2023 admission.
Tuition, housing, food, and fees
Sticker figures. What a family actually pays depends on income and aid, which is what the financial aid tools are for.
| Major | Degrees | Graduates here | Same major nationally |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 373 | $125,639 | $82,686 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 247 | $50,861 | $50,497 |
| Psychology, General | 211 | $71,228 | $50,706 |
| Biology, General | 135 | $76,013 | $57,214 |
| Computer Science | 127 | $156,137 | $107,009 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 113 | - | $62,451 |
| Political Science and Government | 106 | $76,128 | $63,293 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 89 | $47,619 | $39,775 |
Average net price paid by aided students in each family income band, after grants and scholarships. Usually far below the sticker price above.
Sources: this school's published Common Data Set, the Common App 2026-2027 member requirements file, and federal cost and outcomes data. See how our data works, or read the complete manual.
Add your GPA and test scores in Settings to see your estimated chances at Northwestern University.
Strong scores still help. Submit if you are at or above their middle 50%.
Common App personal statement (650 words) + 2 supplementals
For exact prompts, check the school's admissions page or the Common App once writing opens (Aug 1).
1 counselor + 1 teacher recommendation required
Some weight. A few touchpoints (open emails, attend a virtual session) won't hurt.
Per the school's own Common Data Set, applicant interest is rated considered.
$75
Fee waivers available if you qualify (Common App fee waiver, school waiver, or counselor request).
If a parent attended, mention it on the application. Some schools have ended this practice - verify with current admissions guidance.
Sticker price means almost nothing. Northwestern University's Net Price Calculator estimates what you'll actually pay after merit and need-based aid. Takes 10 minutes; needs household income and assets, plus a few academic numbers.
Open Northwestern University's Net Price CalculatorRead from Northwestern University's own admissions page on 2026-08-30 for the 2026-2027 cycle (source). Schools can still revise a prompt after publishing, so confirm before you submit.
One required 300-word response, then at least one and at most two of the optional questions at under 200 words each. Northwestern treats the Common App personal statement as optional.
Background and community
Required300 words“What aspects of your background (your identity, your school setting, your community, your household, etc.) have most shaped how you see yourself engaging in Northwestern's community, be it academically, extracurricularly, culturally, politically, socially, or otherwise?”
Start essay with this prompt →Paint The Rock
Optional200 wordsOptional: answer one or two“What would you paint on The Rock, and why?”
Start essay with this prompt →Dream up a class or project
Optional200 wordsOptional: answer one or two“If you could dream up an undergraduate class, research project, or creative effort (a start-up, a design prototype, a performance, etc.), what would it be? Who might be some ideal classmates or collaborators?”
Start essay with this prompt →Communities on campus
Optional200 wordsOptional: answer one or two“Tell us about one or more communities, networks, or student groups you see yourself connecting with on campus.”
Start essay with this prompt →Location
Optional200 wordsOptional: answer one or two“What aspects of our location are most compelling to you, and why?”
Start essay with this prompt →Diversity of perspectives
Optional200 wordsOptional: answer one or two“How might your individual background contribute to this diversity of perspectives in Northwestern's classrooms and around our campus?”
Start essay with this prompt →Last verified 2026-08-30 · Cycle 2026-2027 · For the current cycle, double-check the school's admissions writing page.
Northwestern University considers interest as one factor among many. Worth a few targeted touches.
Attend an info session in your area
Medium effortMost colleges send admissions reps on regional tours each fall. Check their events page or sign up for their mailing list. Sign in when you arrive.
Open the school's emails and click through
Quick winOnce you're on their mailing list, open them. Many tracking systems flag students who consistently engage. Don't unsubscribe even if you're not committed yet.
Connect with your regional admissions counselor
Medium effortEach region has an assigned counselor (find them on the admissions site). Send one thoughtful, specific email - a question you can't answer from the website. Don't pester.
Attend a college fair where they're present
Medium effortSign in at their booth. Have a real conversation - prepare two specific questions about programs that interest you.
Follow on social and engage authentically
Quick winLike, comment occasionally on their posts. Schools' social teams notice patterns. Don't spam - quality over quantity.
You don't need to do all of these. Pick 2-3 that are realistic and consistent.
Research University
Yes
Co-op / Internship
Available
Est. Net Price (You)
$68,322
Based on "none" need
Sticker tuition
$68,322
Before aid
Total Estimated 4-Year Cost
$273,288
Out-of-state pricing with estimated aid
Greek Life
Yes
Study Abroad
22%
Religious Affiliation
None
Football Conference
Big Ten
Debt-to-Income
21.9%
Average debt against 10-year earnings
Est. 10-Year ROI
$684,712
(10yr earnings x 10) - 4yr cost
Applying Early Decision would give you a 4.4x advantage (20% ED vs 4.5% RD).
This school gives legacy preference. If a parent or grandparent attended, highlight it.
This school is test-optional. Submit scores only if they strengthen your application.
Deadline (ED: November 1, 2026) / RD: January 4, 2027
113 days remaining (RD)
Application Platform: Common App
Supplemental Essays: 2
Interview: Not Offered
Recommendation letters needed
Test optional
Get candid student reviews, rankings, and additional data from these sources:
Data from US Department of Education College Scorecard, National Center for Education Statistics, and institutional disclosures.
| Information Science/Studies | 88 | - | $85,294 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 82 | $90,012 | $56,359 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | 80 | $87,763 | $51,936 |
| Music | 77 | $48,276 | $42,892 |
Median earnings of this school's graduates in each major, roughly five years out, beside the national median for the same major.