Northwestern University
Data sourced from Common Data Set (Institutional), Institutional Website, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy and deadlines checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.
Preparation
This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement.
Admissions
How admission works here
- Where you apply
- The Common App. Common App requirements grid
- Test scores
- Submitting SAT or ACT scores is optional. Northwestern admissions
- Recommendations
- 1 teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, a mid-year report. Common App requirements grid
- Application fee
- $75. The Common App fee waiver is accepted. Common App requirements grid
- Deadlines
- Early Decision (binding) November 1, Regular Decision January 4. Northwestern admissions
My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.
- 1Quantitative Economics
- 2Digital Media
- 3Biology
- 4Psychology
- 5Information Science
- 6Neuroscience
- 7Computer Science
- 8Political Science
- 9Theatre
- 10Mechanical Engineering
Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so Northwestern University may call a major something slightly different.
Applying
Applying through the Common App
- Application fee
- $75
- Common App fee waiver
- Accepted
- Recommendations
- 1 teacher recommendation, counselor recommendation, mid-year report
Source: Common App requirements grid, updated 2026-09-18. Anything not listed here wasn't stated in the grid, which is not the same as not required.
College-specific prompts can change each application cycle. Check the school's official application page for the latest requirements.
View official application requirementsMusic & Sports Tracks
Music
- The Bienen School Supplement, including any prescreening, is due October 15 for Early Decision and December 1 for Regular Decision.Undergraduate Application & Timeline
- Regular Decision on-campus auditions are February 5-14, and admitted Bienen students must stay enrolled in the music major for at least one full year.Undergraduate Application & Timeline
- Dual-degree and double-major applicants indicate this on their application and receive a single decision from Northwestern's undergraduate admission office.Undergraduate Application & Timeline
Sports
Academics
Flagship Programs
Career & Major Pathways
Cost
This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.
Financial Aid
What families actually paid, by household income
Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.
- Under $30,000
- $1,764
- $30,001 – $48,000
- $6,099
- $48,001 – $75,000
- $7,898
- $75,001 – $110,000
- $18,282
- Over $110,000
- $48,777
College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.private.by_income_level.*), 2024
Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.
Scholarships and merit aid
Northwestern is need-blind for domestic applicants and meets 100% of demonstrated need; it does not offer merit-based scholarships -- all institutional aid is need-based.
Campus
Campus Fit
*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024
†Northwestern admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 20, 2026
‡Northwestern admissions · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 22, 2026