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Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

private nonprofitgraduate

Quick Facts

Quaecumque sunt vera("Whatsoever things are true" (Philippians 4:8 AV) "The Word full of grace and truth" (John 1:14))

Wikipedia
Private research university
Type
8,960
Total Students
8,846
Undergrad
13,955
Graduate
$15.3B
Endowment
(2025)
$66K
Tuition (In-State)
$66K
Tuition (Out-State)
$27K
Avg Net Price
7%
Acceptance Rate
96%
Graduation Rate
6-year
97%
Retention Rate
Doctoral Universities
Classification

Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education

About Northwestern University

Northwestern University: A Legacy of Innovation and Academic Excellence in Illinois.

Northwestern University, established in 1851 as the oldest chartered university in Illinois, is a prestigious private research institution rooted in academic innovation and a rich history. Initially affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, it quickly evolved into a non-sectarian leader, growing to become the third-largest university in the United States by 1900. Its commitment to pioneering education led it to become a founding member of the Big Ten Conference in 1896 and join the Association of American Universities in 1917.

Today, Northwestern is renowned for its comprehensive academic portfolio, comprising eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. Students can pursue excellence across diverse fields such as management, law, journalism, engineering, and medicine. The university boasts significant research funding, exceeding $1 billion annually, fostering a vibrant environment for discovery and cutting-edge scholarship. This dedication to advanced research and interdisciplinary learning prepares students to become leaders and innovators in their chosen fields.

Beyond the classroom, Northwestern offers a dynamic student experience, highlighted by its competitive NCAA Division I Big Ten athletics, home to the Wildcats. Its legacy of impact is reflected in its impressive roster of affiliated individuals, including 37 Nobel Prize laureates, 47 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 2 Fields Medalists, alongside 10 living billionaires, 2 U.S. Supreme Court Justices, and 25 Olympic medalists among its alumni. Located in Evanston, Illinois, with additional campuses in Chicago and other key cities, Northwestern provides a robust blend of academic rigor, vibrant campus life, and a commitment to societal contribution, as exemplified by its recent initiative to award bachelor's degrees to a graduating class of prisoners in partnership with Oakton College.

Key Highlights

  • Oldest chartered university in Illinois, established on January 28, 1851.
  • Founding member of the prestigious Big Ten Conference since 1896.
  • Boasts an endowment of $15.6 billion (2024) and over $1 billion in research funding.
  • Affiliated with 37 Nobel Prize laureates, 2 Fields Medalists, and 47 Pulitzer Prize winners.
  • Educates 22,801 students (fall 2023) across eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools.
  • Pioneered by becoming the first top-ranked U.S. university to award bachelor's degrees to a graduating class of prisoners (2023).

Timeline

1851
Illinois General Assembly granted a charter, making it the first chartered university in Illinois.
1855
The first building, Old College, opened.
1869
Admitted its first female students and merged with Evanston College for Ladies.
1896
Became a founding member of the Big Ten Conference.
1917
Joined the Association of American Universities.
1939
Hosted the first-ever NCAA Division I men's basketball championship game.
1948
Prominent anthropologist Melville J. Herskovits founded the Program of African Studies, the first of its kind in an American academic institution.
2014
President Barack Obama delivered a seminal economics speech at the Evanston campus.
2021
Received its largest-ever donation of $480 million from the Ryan Family.
2023
Became the first top-ranked university in the U.S. to award bachelor's degrees to a graduating class of prisoners.

Schools & Colleges

5 notable schools within Northwestern University

🏫

Kellogg School of Management

A leading professional school in management, established in the 20th century.

🏥

Feinberg School of Medicine

A prominent professional school focusing on medicine.

⚖️

Law School

A professional school offering programs in the field of law.

🏫

Journalism School

A professional school offering programs in the field of journalism.

⚙️

Engineering School

A professional school offering programs in the field of engineering.

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