NU Acceptance Rate

Northwestern University, located in Evanston, Illinois, is renowned for its highly selective undergraduate admissions process. For the Class of 2028, Northwestern reported an overall acceptance rate of approximately 7.5%, reflecting its status as one of the most competitive universities in the United States. This selectivity is driven by a growing applicant pool, with over 50,000 applications received in recent cycles, as well as the university's emphasis on academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and holistic review. Northwestern publishes transparent admission statistics through its official website and the Common Data Set, providing valuable insights into its admissions trends.

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 7.5% for the Class of 2028, with around 50,000 applicants and approximately 3,750 admitted students, consistent with prior years of increasing competitiveness.
• Early Decision Rate: Estimated at 24.0%, significantly higher than the regular decision rate, as Northwestern prioritizes students who commit early. Exact figures for the most recent cycle are unavailable but based on historical data.
• International Student Rate: Approximately 6.0%, reflecting a highly competitive process for international applicants, who comprised about 10% of the admitted class. Data is estimated from prior cycles due to limited recent specifics.

Over the past decade, Northwestern’s acceptance rate has steadily declined, dropping from around 13% in 2013 to under 8% in recent years, signaling heightened competitiveness. The Early Decision program plays a significant role, with a notably higher acceptance rate that benefits applicants demonstrating strong commitment. International admissions remain particularly selective due to limited spots and a global applicant surge. Compared to peer institutions like the University of Chicago or Ivy League schools, Northwestern’s selectivity aligns closely, often falling within the 5-10% range for top-tier universities. For the most accurate and updated statistics, prospective students are encouraged to visit the Northwestern Admissions website or review the university’s Common Data Set reports.