Northwestern University Acceptance Rate
Evanston, Illinois · Private not-for-profit · 4-year or above
- Applicants
- 51,769
- Admitted
- 3,703
- Yield
- 57%
- Test policy
- Test-optional
Latest official IPEDS 2023–24 · Updated July 2026
Acceptance rate & applications over time
Hover or tap the chart to read any year.
Over the 10 years of federal data, Northwestern University's acceptance rate has fallen from 13.1% in 2014–15 to 7.2% in 2023–24. Applications grew from 33,674 to 51,769 (+54%) over that period.
Its 7.2% rate makes Northwestern University more selective than about 99% of the 1,419 schools tracked here. Among 50 tracked Illinois schools, it is more selective than about 96%.
Northwestern University has been test-optional since 2021–22. Of admitted students, 57% enrolled (the yield rate) in 2023–24.
Full year-by-year table
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–15 | 33,674 | 4,416 | 13.1% | 2,043 |
| 2015–16 | 32,122 | 4,190 | 13% | 2,018 |
| 2016–17 | 35,100 | 3,743 | 10.7% | 1,985 |
| 2017–18 | 37,259 | 3,442 | 9.2% | 1,903 |
| 2018–19 | 40,425 | 3,422 | 8.5% | 1,931 |
| 2019–20 | 40,585 | 3,673 | 9.1% | 2,006 |
| 2020–21 | 39,263 | 3,654 | 9.3% | 1,901 |
| 2021–22 | 47,636 | 3,321 | 7% | 2,086 |
| 2022–23 | 51,261 | 3,695 | 7.2% | 2,038 |
| 2023–24 | 51,769 | 3,703 | 7.2% | 2,111 |
Acceptance rate by gender
| Group | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women | 27,258 | 1,998 | 7.3% |
| Men | 24,511 | 1,705 | 7% |
SAT / ACT ranges & policy
Test-optional (considered if submitted).
| Test | 25th–75th percentile | % submitting |
|---|---|---|
| SAT EBRW | 730–770 | 50% |
| SAT Math | 760–790 | |
| ACT Composite | 33–35 | 29% |
How Northwestern University compares
Where this school sits among peers of similar selectivity — each dot is a school's current acceptance rate on the same scale.
Frequently asked
What is Northwestern University's acceptance rate?
Northwestern University's acceptance rate is 7.2% for 2023–24, the most recent year of federal IPEDS data (3,703 admitted of 51,769 applicants).
Is Northwestern University test optional?
Northwestern University is test-optional: SAT/ACT scores are considered if submitted but not required.
How many people apply to Northwestern University?
Northwestern University received 51,769 applications in 2023–24 and admitted 3,703.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern University?
Admitted students at Northwestern University typically scored 730–770 on SAT Reading/Writing and 760–790 on SAT Math (middle-50% ranges).
Is Northwestern University getting harder to get into?
Northwestern University has become harder to get into: its acceptance rate went from 13.1% in 2014–15 to 7.2% in 2023–24.
How this is calculated
Acceptance rate = admitted ÷ applicants, first-time degree-seeking undergraduates, from the U.S. Department of Education's IPEDS Admissions (ADM) survey; institution details from the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (HD) survey. Data span: 2014–15 to 2023–24. Official site: www.northwestern.edu/.