Northwestern University
Evanston, IL
Evanston, IL
Take a Northwestern Direction
Nestled in the vibrant city of Evanston with Chicago's skyline glittering nearby, Northwestern offers a world-class education with a collaborative spirit. It’s a place where you don’t have to choose just one path—you’re encouraged to forge your own unique direction, combining your passions in ways you may not have imagined. If you're looking for a top-tier research university that feels like a supportive community, your compass might be pointing here.
Academics: The power of "and"
Northwestern's academic philosophy is famously about "and." Here, you can be an Engineer and a Theatre major, a Journalist and a Computer Scientist. This is made possible by the university's flexible quarter system, which allows you to take more classes than at traditional semester schools. This makes double-majoring, adding a minor, or simply exploring electives incredibly accessible. With world-renowned programs in everything from the Medill School of Journalism to the Bienen School of Music, you'll learn from professors who are true experts in their fields.
Life as a Wildcat
Beyond the classroom, life on the lake is unbeatable. The campus stretches along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan, providing a stunning backdrop for your college years. As a Big Ten school, Wildcat spirit is a powerful force, with exciting game days and a strong sense of community. From the tradition of painting "The Rock" at the center of campus to exploring hundreds of student organizations, you'll find your niche. Best of all, you get the perfect blend of a classic college campus with the endless cultural and career opportunities of Chicago just a short train ride away.
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Ranked #6 among the"Best National Universities" | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
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Ranked #15 among "Best Value Schools" | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
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Ranked #16 among the "Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs" | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
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Ranked #8 among the "Best Undergraduate Economics Programs" | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
Find the perfect combination of college town and bustling city in Evanston. Offering everything you could need or want just steps away from campus, visit downtownevanston.org to discover the many unique shops, coffeehouses, restaurants, art galleries, and theaters that are just down the street or around the corner.
There's nowhere quite like Chicago. To get there, students simply ride the Chicago Transit Authority's (CTA) Purple Line or cruise down Lakeshore Drive in the same amount of time it takes to walk the length of the Evanston campus; for a more leisurely ride, take the bike path that runs from campus to downtown. The Intercampus Shuttle also runs students between the Evanston and downtown Chicago campuses. However you get there, enjoy all that one of America’s best and biggest cities has to offer from world-class museums and concerts to internship opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.
• 3 campuses
• 12 schools and colleges
• 8,000+ undergraduate students
• 14,000+ graduate students
• 75+ countries represented in student body
• 3,334 full-time faculty members
• 19 intercollegiate athletic teams
• 500+ student organizations and clubs
• 6:1 student-faculty ratio
Class of 2027 Demographics
• Asian American and Pacific Islander: 29.3%
• Black or African American: 14.2%
• Hispanic or Latino: 17.2%
• International: 10.5%
• Native or Indigenous: 2%
• White: 47.8%
• BIPOC: 57.4%
• First-generation college students: 14.6%
• Pell Grant recipients: 20.7%
"Northwestern has definitely brought out the best in me; it has made me surprise myself... I thought I would pursue my pre-med curriculum and perhaps join a student group. I did not realize I would find a passion for learning language, be awarded independent summer research grants, be a part of Greek life, or become so involved with shaping student experience here.”
“Northwestern provides you with challenging academics, great athletics, top-class music and theatre, cutting-edge research, and practical experience. And Chicago is just a shuttle ride away. The breadth of opportunities Northwestern provides is its most unique feature.”
“I’ve met engineers who are in a cappella groups and musicians who are interested in investment banking. It's made me feel like I can be myself. My colleagues and friends I’ve made are not only incredibly supportive of my goals but also share my passion for learning, which creates an electric academic atmosphere on campus.”