At schools with acceptance rates below 10%, nearly every applicant has near-perfect grades and test scores. Admissions decisions are driven by essays, extracurriculars, recommendations, and institutional priorities — factors no stats-based model can predict. Our likelihood labels reflect academic competitiveness only.
Northwestern University is a highly selective private research university on the shores of Lake Michigan in Evanston, Illinois. It is distinguished by its top-ranked Medill School of Journalism, strong performing arts programs, and a quarter system that encourages academic breadth.
Mascot: Wildcat
Notable Alumni
Stephen Colbert (late-night TV host)•Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Emmy-winning actress)•George R.R. Martin (author of Game of Thrones)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Campus Experience
The quarter system's relentless 10-week pace creates a pressure cooker where midterms feel like they never stop, making the social scene more weekend-concentrated than at semester schools. Greek life has historically involved ~35-40% of students and heavily shapes the party scene, though recent years have seen declining participation. Evanston offers a quieter college-town feel with Chicago's world-class city just an L-train ride away.
A lakefront campus along Lake Michigan with Gothic and modern architecture, scenic paths along the lakeshore, and the striking Weber Arch entrance create a beautiful setting enhanced by dramatic seasonal changes.
Based on Niche reviews, Princeton Review surveys, student forums, and institutional data.
Safety
Northwestern University Police provides community patrols, the NUGuardian safety app, Safe Ride service, and electronic dorm access. Day-to-day risk is primarily limited to bicycle and scooter theft.
The neighborhoods near Northwestern's lakefront campus are among the safest in Evanston, though areas in south Evanston have higher crime rates.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Plan Your Visit
Schedule: Most weekdays, select formats
Duration: 75-90 minutes (tour) + optional 30-min financial aid presentation
Unique 'choose your own adventure' format -- select a tour guide who shares your interests. Registration required. Self-guided tour available 24/7 in the Segal Visitors Center vestibule. Student shadowing and class visits also available.
Book a TourVisit the Segal Visitors Center vestibule (open 24 hours) to register for a self-guided visit and download materials. Includes guide to buildings, extended tour route, and stories from 20+ current students.
Tour ResourcesSeptember-October (beautiful fall on Lake Michigan, football season) or April-May (campus comes alive after Chicago winter). Avoid January-February (brutal lakefront wind and cold). Dillo Day, Northwestern's student-run music festival (late May), is the biggest event of the year. The Lakefill is most magical at sunset.
Visitor parking at South Campus Parking Garage (near Segal Visitors Center) and North Campus Parking Garage. CTA Purple Line stops at Davis, Foster, and Noyes stations -- all walkable to campus. From O'Hare: Pace Bus #250 to Davis Station (~1 hr, $1.75), or taxi/rideshare (~30 min, ~$35-45). Metra Union Pacific North Line also stops in Evanston.
Location
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