SAT Scores Trends at Northwestern

Over the past 11 years, the average SAT score of Northwestern University is 1505, and current year SAT score is 1540

The SAT score have been increased 60 points since 2015 and it has risen steadily in recent years at Northwestern. Compared to previous year, the SAT score increased by 10 points at Northwestern. Compared to similar schools, the submitted SAT and ACT scores are extremely competitive and high at Northwestern.

You can check and compare colleges with similar SAT scores Northwestern by SAT score range 1440-1540 and 1490-1590.

Trends by Subject

SAT Scores Over Time

The 2025 SAT score is 1540 at Northwestern. Over the past 11 years, the average SAT score is 1448 (25th percentile) and 1560 (75th percentile). Compared to similar schools, the submitted SAT scores are extremely competitive and high at Northwestern.

The following table and chart illustrate the changes in SAT scores at Northwestern University since 2015.

YearTotalMathEvidence-Based Reading and Writing
25th50th75th25th50th75th25th50th75th
2015-161,4001,4801,560710755800690725760
2016-171,4001,4801,560710755800690725760
2017-181,4201,4901,560720755790700735770
2018-191,4301,4901,550730760790700730760
2019-201,4401,4951,550740765790700730760
2020-211,4301,4901,550730760790700730760
2021-221,4701,5201,570750775800720745770
2022-231,4901,5301,570760780800730750770
2023-241,4901,5301,560760780790730750770
2024-251,5101,5401,570770780800740760770
Average144815051560738767795710738765
*SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing replaces SAT critical reading and writing since year 2017.
**The SAT Writing score is excluded from the total scores for year from 2011 to 2016.
Northwestern University SAT Score Trends Chart
Northwestern University SAT Math Score Trends Chart
Northwestern University SAT EBRW (Evidence-Based Reading and Writing) Trends Chart

ACT Scores Over Time

The 2025 ACT score is 34 at Northwestern. Over the past 11 years, the average ACT score of the last 11 years is 33 (25th percentile) and 35 (75th percentile). Compared to similar schools, the submitted ACT scores are extremely competitive and high at Northwestern.

The following table and chart show the changes in ACT scores at Northwestern University since 2015.

YearCompositeEnglishMath
25th50th75th25th50th75th25th50th75th
2015-16313334333435303335
2016-17323334323334323334
2017-18323334323334323334
2018-19333435------
2019-20333435343536313335
2020-21333435343536313335
2021-22343535353636323435
2022-23333435353536323435
2023-24333435343536313435
2024-25333435353536323435
Average333435343535313335
Northwestern University ACT Score Trends Chart
Northwestern University ACT Math Score Trends Chart
Northwestern University ACT English Trends Chart

Compare SAT Score Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares Northwestern University' SAT score to similar schools.

20242025Change %
Northwestern University15301540 0.65%
Michigan State University12601250 0.80%
University of Iowa12301220 0.82%
Purdue University-Main Campus13501320 2.27%
University of Maryland-College Park14651460 0.34%
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign14401410 2.13%

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