Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Northwestern admits about 1 in 13 applicants (7.7%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 99% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (7.3% and 8.1%).
$75 to apply
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
55% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Where you stand
How Northwestern reads a record
The high school record and a college-prep program are required; GPA and class rank are considered. Scores are optional. 46% of first-years sent an SAT and 23% an ACT.
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
- High school GPA
- Considered
- High school record
- Required
- Class rank
- Considered
- College-prep program
- Required
- Recommendations
- Required
- Essay
- Required
- Legacy status
- Considered
- Work experience
- Considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- Not considered
- English proficiency test
- Required
- Other tests
- Not considered
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1540 on the SAT, 370 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)