Northwestern University
Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at Northwestern University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 17% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 96th percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (IL wage index 1.04). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at Northwestern University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Science/Studies | $102,998 | $163,740 | +92% | #1 of 148 | #1 | $11,425 |
| Computer Science | $99,981 | $155,106 | +45% | #28 of 349 | #27 | $14,646 |
| Applied Mathematics | $94,684 | $148,740 | +63% | #4 of 45 | #3 | — |
| Industrial Engineering | $89,811 | $138,720 | +41% | #1 of 94 | #1 | $18,000 |
| Economics | $84,932 | $126,006 | +52% | #21 of 368 | #21 | $15,250 |
| Statistics | $77,917 | $122,682 | +33% | #7 of 50 | #7 | $14,234 |
| Chemical Engineering | $80,709 | $111,040 | +13% | #12 of 158 | #34 | $16,500 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $82,255 | $108,498 | +59% | #2 of 187 | #2 | $33,332 |
| Mathematics | $79,530 | $107,072 | +54% | #19 of 309 | #21 | $12,418 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $68,592 | $102,994 | +10% | #19 of 118 | #24 | $16,833 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $75,253 | $98,277 | +7% | #49 of 318 | #103 | $13,942 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | — | $97,819 | +11% | #1 of 15 | #2 | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | $52,210 | $93,541 | +66% | #2 of 660 | #2 | $17,687 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | $93,180 | +76% | #7 of 476 | #10 | — |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $61,009 | $84,712 | +63% | #1 of 24 | #1 | $13,500 |
| Journalism | $50,426 | $80,258 | +43% | #3 of 187 | #3 | $14,834 |
| History | $50,161 | $78,966 | +56% | #13 of 459 | #10 | $15,917 |
| Public Policy Analysis | $48,558 | $78,752 | +7% | #9 of 34 | #10 | $18,750 |
| Sociology | $38,402 | $75,267 | +43% | #8 of 462 | #8 | $13,622 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $58,326 | $74,477 | +12% | #30 of 118 | #30 | $19,234 |
| Psychology | $44,088 | $73,646 | +45% | #14 of 1027 | #17 | $13,500 |
| Political Science and Government | $54,737 | $73,231 | +16% | #89 of 565 | #85 | $16,834 |
| Biology | — | $71,181 | +24% | #82 of 841 | #85 | $14,684 |
| Psychology | $36,890 | $62,905 | +24% | #3 of 9 | #3 | $11,630 |
| English Language and Literature | $31,748 | $62,147 | +28% | #39 of 576 | #36 | $15,450 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $39,012 | $59,372 | +15% | #15 of 103 | #12 | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $35,334 | $54,279 | -13% | #56 of 67 | #57 | $17,309 |
| Music | $34,823 | $53,875 | +26% | #37 of 268 | #47 | $18,039 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $24,611 | $51,471 | +2% | #65 of 158 | #85 | $15,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $19,245 | $49,316 | +24% | #17 of 255 | #23 | $17,000 |
| Public Health | $39,956 | — | — | — | — | $14,684 |
| Anthropology | $33,208 | — | — | — | — | — |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The Northwestern University Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 60626 (5.0% cap, Chicago)
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🏆 Where Northwestern University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $64,887 | $64,887 |
| Room | $12,219 | |
| Board | $8,115 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $91,290 | $91,290 |
Financial Aid
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from Northwestern University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Northwestern University?
How much does it cost to attend Northwestern University?
What is the graduation rate at Northwestern University?
Is Northwestern University a good school?
- Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (A+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (A+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend Northwestern University?
Deciding between a dorm and buying near campus? Run the numbers for Northwestern University — four years of dorm costs vs. owning, including what you’d recover at resale. Buy vs Dorm calculator →
🎓 Similar Colleges to Northwestern University
Compare with other 4-Year private non-profit institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology