[updated for 2024-2025 admission data]
How hard is Northwestern to get into?
This page provides the latest information on Northwestern University (Northwestern)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. Northwestern's acceptance rate is 7.69% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 49,474 students applied and 3,806 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is very low, which means it is very hard to get into Northwestern.
To apply to Northwestern, recommendations and personal statement (or essay) are required to submit. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, Northwestern's acceptance rate is 7.69% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 55.31%. 23,774 men and 25,686 women applied to Northwestern and 1,735 men and 2,070 women students were accepted.
Among them, 977 men and 1,127 women were enrolled in Northwestern. You can explore the Northwestern's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 963 students (46% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 488 students (23% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at Northwestern.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,540, including 760 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 780 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 770 and the 25th percentile is 740. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 800 and the 25th percentile is 770.
The median ACT composite score is 34, with a 75th percentile score of 35 and a 25th percentile score of 33 at Northwestern. The median ACT Math score is 34 and the median ACT English score is 35.
How competitive is Northwestern's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at Northwestern University are similar to the average score compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,497, ACT: 34 - private (not-for-profit) research university with very high research activity).
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School Record (or Transcript), Completion of College Preparatory Program, Recommendations, English Proficiency Test, and Personal statement or essay to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at Northwestern. The english proficiency test is required .
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Northwestern University.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to Northwestern:
- Open Admission Policy: No
- Undergraduate Application Fees: -
- Graduate Application Fees: -
- Admission Information: www.northwestern.edu/admissions/
- Online Application: www.northwestern.edu/admissions/
- Calendar System: Quarter
- Course for High School Students: Not Offered
- Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) Credits
- Degree Offered: 2-Years Certificate, Bachelor, Post-Bachelor Certificate, Master, Post-Master Certificate, Doctoral (Research), Doctoral (Professional Practice)
Northwestern Admission Frequently Asked Questions
Northwestern is extremely competitive to get into, with an acceptance rate of 7.69%.
Northwestern recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to Northwestern is 1,540, and the average ACT score is 34. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Yes, Northwestern requires applicants to submit a personal essay or statement as part of the application.
Yes, Northwestern requires applicants to submit a recommendation letter as part of the application.
Northwestern does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, Northwestern requires applicants to submit high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, Northwestern requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.
The institutional SAT code for Northwestern is 1565 and 4-digit ACT code is 1106.