More selective than 98% of Illinois colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
50% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 29% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose Northwestern University over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
Northwestern University SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, Northwestern University is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 740 | 770 |
| SAT math | 770 | 800 |
| ACT composite | 33 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1510 | 1570 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
Northwestern University admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 8% | 740–770 | 770–800 | 33–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 7% | 730–770 | 760–790 | 33–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is Northwestern University compared with other Illinois colleges?
Northwestern University has the 2nd-lowest acceptance rate of 53 Illinois colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Chicago | 4% | 96% | $14,860 |
| 2 | Northwestern University | 8% | 95% | $29,167 |
| 3 | Methodist College | 39% | 20% | $41,787 |
| 4 | Illinois Wesleyan University | 39% | 75% | $28,199 |
| 5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 42% | 85% | $14,355 |
| 6 | Chicago State University | 43% | 15% | $12,335 |
| 7 | Principia College | 44% | 74% | — |
| 8 | Judson University | 48% | 60% | $18,558 |
| 9 | Governors State University | 48% | 22% | $12,329 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All Illinois colleges →
Who enrolls at Northwestern University
College Scorecard; IPEDS
Northwestern University admissions questions
What is the Northwestern University acceptance rate?
Northwestern University accepts 8% of applicants, about 1 in 13. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 3,703 of 51,769 applicants were admitted.
Does Northwestern University require the SAT or ACT?
Northwestern University considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 50% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 29% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern University?
The middle 50% of Northwestern University enrolled first-year students scored 1510–1570 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at Northwestern University?
57% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (2,111 of 3,703).
Is Northwestern University getting harder to get into?
Northwestern University accepted 8% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 7% for Fall 2023.
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to Northwestern University overview