Facts : Northwestern University (original) (raw)
The Northwestern Difference
Northwestern is a comprehensive research university that is deeply interdisciplinary across multiple schools and units. Our rigorous yet empathetic academic environment provides a robust mixture of theory and practice, with an emphasis on top-tier research, new knowledge, creative expression and practical application. If you are at Northwestern, you are part of an innovative, collaborative, and multidimensional community delivering an impact that is rare in higher education. View our fact sheet as a downloadable PDF.
Northwestern Recognition
Northwestern is one of only four top-10 US universities ranked in the top 20 in each of the five graduate education categories.
Rankings from U.S. News & World Report as of June 2024
Arts and Humanities
- 35 Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences programs across the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics
- Northwestern was placed among _Playbill_’s top 10 most represented universities on Broadway
- Bienen School of Music alumni and faculty have won 12 Grammy Awards since 2015, and 51 music students and alumni have earned top honors in 44 international performance competitions
- Block Museum of Art named a top US campus museum by The New York Times
Journalism and Integrated Marketing Communications
World renowned for Journalism and Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC):
- Undergraduates complete journalism residencies at over120+ media outlets and companies in the US and abroad
- Journalism graduate students choose to specialize in one of seven different topic areas or reporting formats
- The IMC program at Northwestern is a pioneer in blending creativity and data to build brands for the digital age
Research
Northwestern is a leading research university that is home to more than 90 school-based centers and 35 University research centers. With an interdisciplinary culture, our research spans a spectrum of areas including neuroscience, nanotechnology, biotechnology and drug discovery.
More than $1B in annual sponsored research awards
$449M in NIH funding
86% increase over the past 10 years
#16 in total NIH awards for top AAU universities
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- 100+ innovation-based courses taught each year
- $2.6 billion in revenue from patents and intellectual property licensing revenue
- 10 million+ patients impacted by Northwestern therapeutics
Academics
Academic Overview
- 77% of undergrads combine two or more areas of study.
- 97% of the Class of 2022 were employed or pursuing further education, service, or career development opportunities within six months of graduation.
Our Students
8,000+undergraduate students
14,000+graduate students
6:1student to faculty ratio
Campuses
Pell Grants and Financial Aid Percentages
20%of class of 2027 receives Pell Grants
64%of undergraduates receive financial aid
Scholarships
Northwestern has been named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution by the US Department of State for the 20th consecutive year.
Award-Winning Community
Among faculty and alumni are recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize, MacArthur Genius Grant, Tony Award, Grammy Award, Emmy Award, Academy Award, Guggenheim Fellowship, and membership in the National Academy and numerous other honorary and professional societies.
Learn about award-winning faculty on the Faculty Accolades website.
$13.7B in total endowment
Northwestern Medicine Hospital Affiliates
#1
Hospital in Illinois (Northwestern Memorial Hospital)
#1
Rehabilitation Hospital (Shirley Ryan Ability Lab)
#10
In Neurology and Neurosurgery
U.S. News & World Report (2024)
Athletics
- Founding member of the Big Ten Conference
- Two Big Ten West football titles since 2018 and undefeated in five straight bowl games
- 2021 NCAA field hockey national champions
- Eight NCAA women's lacrosse titles since 2005
- NCAA softball Big Ten regular season and tournament champions in 2022 and 2023
- Recent conference championships in basketball, fencing, field hockey, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and wrestling
- Tied for top NCAA overall graduation success rate (98%) among Football Bowl Subdivision schools
- One of five private AAU members/top research universities to compete in NCAA Power Five conferences
Notable Alumni Include:
- Stephen Colbert
- Gillian Flynn
- Claudia Lopez
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus
- Meghan Markle
- George R.R. Martin
- Seth Meyers
- J.B. Pritzker
- Patrick G. Ryan
- Roxana Saberi
- Gwynne Shotwell
- Rubén Castillo
- Michael Wilbon
- Andrew Youn