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Northwestern University Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 2 Jan '25, by Akansha katariya (Study Abroad Expert)

Northwestern University Admissions
What’s new?

International students can apply for Northwestern University admission in Early and Regular modes. The Northwestern University application deadline for undergraduate and graduate programs is given below:

Undergraduate Deadline:

  • Early decision: Closed
  • Regular decision: Jan 2, 2025

Graduate Deadline:

  • MS: Varies as per programs
  • MBA: Jan 8, 2025 (Round 2)

Northwestern University Admissions 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q:   What GPA do you need to get into Northwestern?

A: 

The university does not give high weightage to GPA scores during admission. However, the university expects a minimum cumulative score between 3 and 3.5 on a 4-point scale. The students must fulfill the basic eligibility and submit the required documents such as official transcripts from the school/university attended, standardized test scores (if required), letter of recommendation, English language requirements, and more. Student must perform well in academic as well as non-academic factors to improve their chances of selection as it does not depend only on academic GPA.

Q:   Is the GRE required for Northwestern?

A: 

Northwestern University offers test options for GRE/GMAT scores. However, the university recommends submitting the GRE score to applicants with weak academic credentials or a GPA lower than 3.2. The students must fulfill the basic eligibility by having a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent and submit the required documents including a statement of purpose, letter of recommendation, academic transcripts, GPA, and English language requirements.

Q:   How hard is Northwestern University?

A: 

The Northwestern University acceptance rate is 7.2% as per an unofficial source. The low percentage shows that the university is quite hard to enter and follows a holistic approach that includes various academic and non-academic factors. The admission committee gives weightage to factors such as rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, application essay, and recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent, character/personal quality, volunteer work, and work experience. To improve the chances of selection, students must perform academically as well as non-academically well.

Northwestern University MS Admissions 2025

31 courses 9 months - 2 years
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icon
26L - 75.2L

iconEligibility Criteria

  • Accepting Exams: TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, GMAT, Duolingo
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Commonly asked questions
On MS Admissions

Q:   What is the most popular major at Northwestern University? Why?

A: 

Northwestern University offers more than 120 bachelors' and over 140 graduate programs. Some popular majors include Communication, Journalism, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Biological Science, Physics, and Chemistry. The university also gained popularity for Business and Economics, Life Science, Physical Science, and Social Science in the past few years. The reason for the popularity is the well-structured programs, excellent faculty, career with high salary packages, and diverse research opportunities.

Q:   Is Northwestern good for international students?

A: 

Northwestern University is one of the renowned universities in the USA and is considered to be the best option for international students. The university ranked #6 among national universities, #15 among best-value schools, and#16 for providing the best undergraduate Engineering programs. Along with the rankings, the university offers a wide range of UG and PG programs that can result in getting big opportunities and research experience. International students are compelled to take admission to its excellent faculties, structured academic programs, and research opportunities.

Q:   How much is graduate tuition at Northwestern?

A: 

Northwestern University offers 9-month to 2-year Master's courses for international students in specializations such as Computer Science; Artificial Intelligence; Statistics; Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics; Robotics; Civil and Environmental Engineering; Information Systems; and more. The tuition cost ranges between INR 26L and INR 66L. The basic eligibility criteria include a bachelor's degree from a USA institution or equivalent, transcripts, GRE score, essay, letter of recommendation, and resume.

Northwestern University Application Process 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Application Process

Q:   What are some useful tips for students starting their first semester at Northwestern University?

A: 

Once the students get into the university, their real struggle begins with the extreme competition. Here are some useful tips for students starting their first semester at Northwestern University:

  • Never skip class: Skipping class can make you struggle more with the topic and you may not relate to the upcoming one. Do not skip lectures until it is extremely crucial to skip.
  • Explore campus: Knowing your campus is as important as knowing your curriculum, exploring the beautiful campus, and knowing the directions of libraries, and sports/cultural/study groups that may help in the future.
  • Make new friends/mentors: Never hesitate to ask doubts or talk to anyone. It may help to boost confidence and new friends that can help you with many things.
  • Never compromise health: A healthy mind can do anything that can be achieved by having a proper lifestyle. Do prioritize healthy eating and exercise regularly.

Q:   What is Northwestern University is known for?

A: 

Along with the academic structure and excellent faculties, Northwestern University is renowned for its high rankings including the national university ranking with #6 position, #15 for best value school, and #16 for providing the best undergraduate Engineering programs. The university offers over 200 formal academic concentrations, 124 undergraduate programs, and 145 graduate and professional programs. Some popular specializations that can lead to good career opportunities are Computer Science; Artificial Intelligence; Statistics; Engineering Science and Applied Mathematics; Robotics; Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Information Systems.

Q:   What is the admissions process like at Northwestern University?

A: 

To get admitted to undergraduate and graduate programs at Northwestern University, international students must adhere to the admissions procedures listed below:
Step 1: Select a course: Over 120 bachelor's and over 140 graduate programs are available for international students to select from, and they must also verify their eligibility requirements.
Step 2: Complete the application: For undergraduate and graduate programs, international students can apply through the university site and provide the necessary paperwork, including academic transcripts, essays, results from standardized tests, English language proficiency, and more.
Step 3: Pay the application fee: For overseas students, Northwestern University charges an application fee of USD 85 (INR 7K) for undergraduate studies and USD 85-250 (around INR 7-20K) for graduate studies. (USD 1=INR 84.01)
Step 4: Await a response: The application will be reviewed by the institution, and in a few months, they will provide an offer letter to the candidate.

Northwestern University Enrollment Statistics 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Admission

Q:   What are the best reasons to attend Northwestern University?

A: 

With excellent rankings, Northwestern University has a lot to offer to international students. The students willing to join undergraduate or graduate programs can consider the following best reasons to join the university:

  • High graduation rate: The university has an 88% graduation rate which showcases the excellent academic structure and faculty supervision of the program.
  • Small class size: With a 6:1, student-faculty ratio, 76% of the classes have less than 20 students. This shows the university focuses on a focused environment.
  • Rankings: The university ranks #6 among the national universities, #15 for best value school, and #16 for providing the best undergraduate Engineering programs.

Q:   Which is better: Northwestern University or the University of Chicago?

A: 

Both the University of Chicago and Northwestern University are ranked among the top 20 national universities and have excellent reputations. The two universities' acceptance and graduation rates differ by a relatively small amount, which illustrates how difficult admissions is for both. Students must choose either of the two as both have almost the same specifications. However, they can consider the location of the universities. Below, students can view a comparison of the most prominent universities:

Particulars

Northwestern University

University of Chicago

US News National University Rankings 2024

#6

#11

Acceptance rate

7.2%

5%

Graduation rate

88%

86%

Student-faculty ratio

6:1

5:1

Tuition cost

UG: INR 54L-INR 56L

PG: INR 16L-INR 97L

UG: INR 48L-INR 56L

PG: INR 19L-INR 93L

Q:   What is the tuition at Northwestern University?

A: 

Northwestern University is quite an expensive option for students with limited budgets. Its tuition costs range between INR 54L and INR 56L for undergraduates and INR 16L and INR 97L for postgraduates. Students must make sure that they make a budget not only for tuition costs but also for housing, transportation, insurance, books and supplies, and more. International students can check the tuition fees for popular programs below:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

B.Sc. (14 courses)

INR 56 L

B.E. / B.Tech (26 courses)

INR 55 L - 56 L

MIM (7 courses)

INR 20 L - 57 L

MS (30 courses)

INR 26 L - 66 L

MBA/PGDM (13 courses)

INR 20 L - 95 L

B.A. (35 courses)

INR 56 L

BBA (3 courses)

INR 55 L - 56 L

MEM (1 course)

INR 55 L

MDS (1 course)

INR 34 L

Northwestern University
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.9/5
Verified Icon1 Verified ReviewInfo Icon
Vibe of Campus
  • Multi-dimensional
  • Friendly
  • Academically oriented
Student Views
  • 100% students never faced discrimination in this university
Internships3
Part time work5
Post study jobs3
Quality of faculty4
Student Life3
Value for money3
Public transportation5
Safety4
Indian Food5
Permanent Immigration4
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Engineering Management (MEM) - Batch of 2023
3.9
Short course with very good education and hectic lifestyle
Tips: Be prepared to go through a tight schedule for the next 15 months. Make good connections with seniors well before coming to campus and learn how to network with people. I'm very satisfied with the course. All is good and I am happy.
Likes (Indian Food): There are quite a good number of restaurants of every cuisine around the campus. Korean, Thai, Mexican, Indian, Nepalese and a lot more. I prefer cooking as it gets expensive if you eat out every day. My fav was 10q and hokkaido near the campus.
Dislikes (Student Life): It's a 15-month course. You'll be in job and intern search for 3-6 months totally together, although social life is not good, due to limited time of 9-12 months free time, it depends on person to person. There are a lot of clubs in the university you should be proactive and explore various clubs on the campus. My fav is NU Adventure.
Reviewed on 18 Mar 2024Read more
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Northwestern University 
FAQs

Q:   How did you get into Northwestern University?

A: 

With a 7.2% acceptance rate, getting into Northwestern University requires extra effort from students. The admission committee considers various factors during admission to select deserving candidates for the program. The factors on which students must focus to get into Northwestern University are discussed below:

  • Academic factors: The university considers factors such as the rigor of secondary school record, class rank, academic GPA, application essay, and recommendations. The students must choose a challenging yet interesting curriculum that may show rigor and help to get good academic reports. They must aim for high scores throughout their high school and college to better their chance.
  • Non-academic: Factors such as extracurricular activities, talent, character/personal quality, volunteer work, and work experience are equally crucial during admission. Students must take participation in these activities to make their chances high.

Q:   What are the eligibility requirements for Northwestern University MSc in Computer Science?

A: 

Northwestern University admission requirements for MSc in Computer Science are given below:

  • A typical applicant is expected to have a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline from a recognised institute
  • Highly qualified applicants with other academic backgrounds shall also be considered
  • TOEFL score of 90 or better in iBT / IELTS score of 7.0 or better
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Preferences for areas of study in research and advising
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • All other achievements

Also Read: MS in Computer Science in USA

Q:   Which one is better, Rice University or Northwestern University?

A: 

Rice University and Northwestern University both are highly reputed when it comes to rankings and belong to under 20 national universities. There is a very slight difference in the acceptance rate and graduation rate of both universities that demonstrates their toughness during admission. The students whose budget allows them to consider Northwestern must be admitted to it, but with an average budget students must choose Rice University. Students can check the comparison between the most prestigious universities below:

Particulars

Northwestern University

Rice University

US News National University Rankings 2024

#6

#18

Acceptance rate

7.2%

8%

Graduation rate

88%

89%

Student-faculty ratio

6:1

6:1

Tuition cost

UG: INR 54L-INR 56L

PG: INR 16L-INR 97L

UG: INR 48L

PG: INR 27L-INR 53L

qna

Northwestern University

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Akansha katariya

Study Abroad Expert

Akansha katariya is a content creator at shiksha.com, creating content for study abroad. Having pursued B tech. in Electronics and communication from RGPV University, she has been creating content across diverse domains. When not guiding students, sh...Read Full Bio

Northwestern University

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Northwestern University
Location

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University CityEvanston, Illinois, USA
Size of citySmall
Population of City74,756

Northwestern University
Contact Information

Address

633 Clark Street, Evanston, Illinois-60208, USA
Evanston ( Illinois)

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