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What are your chances at Northwestern University?

Evanston, IL · Private · 9,201 students

8%admitted
7.7% acceptance rate

For most students, this is a reach.

Out of every 100 applicants, about 8 are admitted.

SAT range of admitted students1510–1570
400
1600

Where does your SAT fall? Find out your real chances →

Is Northwestern University a reach, target, or safety for you?

That depends on your full profile — not just this school’s averages. IvyscoreAI reads your grades, essay, and activities and gives you an honest score plus your real odds here.

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What Northwestern University actually costs — and what graduates earn

Published by the U.S. Department of Education. Real reported figures, not estimates.

Average net price
$29,167
per year, after grants · sticker $91,250
Median earnings
$89,363
10 years after entering
Graduation rate
95.1%
finish within six years
Median debt
$15,000
at graduation · about $159/month

What families actually paid, by income

Under $30,000$1,764
$30,000 – $48,000$6,099
$48,000 – $75,000$7,898
$75,000 – $110,000$18,282
Over $110,000$48,777

Average annual net price paid by students receiving federal aid. For your own family, Northwestern University’s net price calculator is the authoritative figure.

About admissions at Northwestern University

Northwestern University accepts about 7.7% of applicants, placing it among the most competitive schools in the country. At this level, strong grades and scores are the baseline — your essays, activities, and overall story are what actually separate admits from denials.

Admitted students typically score between 1510 and 1570 on the SAT, or 33–35 on the ACT. Falling below that range doesn’t disqualify you — it means the rest of your application needs to carry more weight.

The number that actually matters isn’t this school’s average — it’s how your specific application measures up. That’s what IvyscoreAI tells you.

Get your honest chances at Northwestern University

A real score out of 100, your per-school odds, and exactly what to fix — free, in about 30 seconds.

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Admissions data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Rates and score ranges reflect recent reported years and may change.