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Northwestern University

Acceptance Rate

Fall 2021 admitted students

7%

In Fall 2021, a total of 2086 first-time undergrad students enrolled at NorthWestern. Among these students, 906 (0%) submitted SAT scores, while 805 (0%), submitted ACT scores.

The data shows that the SAT was more popular among the first-time enrolled students, with a majority of students opting for this test.

Average SAT Score

1520

Students submitting SAT Score

Out of the total 3321 admitted students 906 students submitted their SAT score when applying.

43%

For the admitted students who submitted SAT scores, 50% of their scores fell within the following range 1470-1570. Specifically, in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) section, 50% of admitted students scored between 720 and 770, while 25% scored below 720 and another 25% scored above 770.

In the Math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 750 and 800, while 25% scored below 750 and 25% achieved a score of 800. The data suggests that, applicants with a composite SAT score of 1520 or higher have competitive chances of gaining admission to NorthWestern.

Overall, for the admitted students who submitted SAT scores, their scores placed most of them within the top 3% nationally.

  • Reading and Writing

    720-770
  • Math

    750-800

Average ACT Score

The average ACT score of admitted students for Fall 2021 enrollment season.

35

Students who Submitted ACT Score

Out of the 3321 admitted students 805 students submitted their ACT score when applying.

39%

Similar to the SAT, NorthWestern does not require applicants to submit either SAT or ACT scores. However, during the Fall 2021 admissions season, around 39% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

The middle 50% of admitted students received a composite ACT score between 34 and 35, with 25% scoring above 35 and another 25% scoring below 34.

For the admitted students who submitted ACT scores, their scores placed most of them around the middle, above 53% of test takers nationally.

  • English

    35-36
  • Math

    32-35
  • Composite

    34-35

Application Fees

Fall 2021

$75

Undergraduate

$95

Graduate

Applicants Stats

The following table details the number of students who applied, admitted, and enrolled in NorthWestern during the Fall 2021 enrollment season.

Total Men Women
Applicants 47,636 21,781 25,855
Admitted students 3,321 1,452 1,869
Enrolled students 2,086 925 1,161
Acceptance rate 7% 7% 7%
Yield rate 63% 64% 62%
    • Total Applicants

      During the Fall 2021 enrollment season, NorthWestern received a total of 47,636 applications. These applications included 21,781 male applicants and 25,855 female applicants.
    • Admitted Students

      Out of the 47,636 applicants, NorthWestern admitted 3,321 students. Among the admitted students, there were 1,452 males and 1,869 females who received offers of admission.
    • Enrolled Students

      Among the admitted students, 2,086 students chose to enroll at NorthWestern. This means that 2,086 students accepted the admission offers and officially registered to attend the university for the Fall 2021 term. Among the enrolled students, 925 were male and 1,161 were female.
    • Acceptance Rate

      The acceptance rate is the percentage of applicants who were offered admission. In this case, NorthWestern had an overall acceptance rate of 7% for the Fall 2021 enrollment season. When we break it down by gender, the acceptance rate for male applicants was 7% while the acceptance rate for female applicants was 7%.
    • Yield Rate

      The yield rate is the percentage of admitted students who actually chose to enroll at the university. NorthWestern had an overall yield rate of 63% for the Fall 2021 term. The yield rate for male admitted students was 64%, and for female admitted students, it was 62%.

Admission and Enrollment Trends

The following table presents the application, admission, and enrollment statistics for NorthWestern over the past 7 years.

Applicants Admitted Students Acceptance Rate Enrolled Students Yield Rate
Year Total Men Women Total Men Women Total Men Women Total Men Women Total Men Women
2015 32,122 15,519 16,603 4,190 2,079 2,111 13% 13% 13% 2,018 1,020 998 48% 49% 47%
2016 35,100 16,790 18,310 3,743 1,815 1,928 11% 11% 10% 1,985 973 1,012 53% 54% 52%
2017 37,259 17,953 19,306 3,442 1,676 1,766 9% 9% 9% 1,903 922 981 55% 55% 56%
2018 40,425 19,550 20,875 3,422 1,657 1,765 8% 8% 8% 1,931 896 1,035 56% 54% 59%
2019 40,585 19,516 21,069 3,673 1,796 1,877 9% 9% 9% 2,006 992 1,014 55% 55% 54%
2020 39,263 18,990 20,273 3,654 1,670 1,984 9% 9% 10% 1,901 867 1,034 52% 52% 52%
2021 47,636 21,781 25,855 3,321 1,452 1,869 7% 7% 7% 2,086 925 1,161 63% 64% 62%

Admission Requirements

Fall 2021

Northwestern University uses the following list of admission requirements and recommended documents when evaluating students' applications. All documents listed under the Required sections must be submitted with your application, but those listed under the Recommended section are optional.

NorthWestern is a test-optional college where applicants are not required to submit standardized test (SAT or ACT) scores with their applications. Test scores are considered if submitted, but they are not mandatory. In the 1 enrollment season, 1 of admitted students submitted SAT scores, and 1 submitted ACT scores for admission. Please double-check with the school to verify the current and complete admission requirements.

Required

  • Secondary school record
  • Completion of college-preparatory program
  • Recommendation letters
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Recommended

  • Secondary school GPA
  • Secondary school rank

Considered

  • Test scores (SAT/ACT)

Neither required nor recommended

  • Formal demonstration of competencies
  • Other tests (Wonderlic, WISC-III, etc.)

Accepted Credits

Fall 2021

The following is a list of college preparatory work and life experience that are accepted at Northwestern University.

  • Credit for life experiences

    Not Accepted
  • Advanced placement (AP) credits

    Accepted
  • Dual credit (college credit earned while in high school)

    Not Accepted