Illinois · College profile
Northwestern University: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs
Northwestern University is a private nonprofit four-year university in Evanston, Illinois, enrolling about 9,201 undergraduates. It admits roughly 8% of applicants, which makes it highly selective relative to four-year colleges nationally.
SAT and ACT scores at Northwestern University
| Measure | Score |
|---|---|
| SAT 25th percentile | 1510 |
| SAT 75th percentile | 1570 |
| SAT midpoint (estimated) | 1540 |
| ACT 25th percentile | 33 |
| ACT 75th percentile | 35 |
| ACT midpoint (estimated) | 34 |
A quarter of enrolled students scored below 1510 and a quarter scored above 1570. Treat 1570 as the target that makes your score a clear strength in this applicant pool, and 1510 as the point below which the rest of your application has to carry more weight.
The two ranges describe the same class, so submit whichever test places you higher in its own range — an ACT 35 and an SAT 1570 are read as equivalent here.
Admissions and selectivity
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 7.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 9,201 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 6:1 |
| Setting | City |
| Control | Private Nonprofit |
Cost and financial aid
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $68,322 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $68,322 |
| Room and board | $21,126 |
| Average net price (first-year students) | $29,167 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 18.6% |
| Students taking federal loans | 17.1% |
| Median federal loan debt at graduation | $14,000 |
Net price is the number that matters: $29,167 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.
Graduation and earnings outcomes
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Graduation rate (6-year) | 95.1% |
| First-year retention | 98.1% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $89,363 |
| Students who are first-generation | 15.2% |
Most popular majors
- Engineering — 16% of bachelor's degrees
- Social sciences — 16% of bachelor's degrees
- Communication — 14% of bachelor's degrees
- Biological & biomedical sciences — 11% of bachelor's degrees
Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.
How your score compares
Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside Northwestern University's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.
Start a free practice test →Frequently asked questions
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern University?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at Northwestern University scored between 1510 and 1570 on the SAT. A score at or above 1570 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students; below 1510 the rest of your application carries more weight.
What ACT score do you need for Northwestern University?
The middle 50% ACT range at Northwestern University is 33 to 35. Aim for 35 to make the score a clear strength.
What is the acceptance rate at Northwestern University?
Northwestern University admits about 7.7% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.
How much does Northwestern University cost?
Published tuition and fees are $68,322 in-state and $68,322 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $29,167 after grant aid.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.
FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →