Rankings of Northwestern University

Northwestern University (NU) is a privately funded research institution based in Evanston, Illinois. The university’s focus is a commitment to teaching and academic research, as they believe that the two things go hand in hand. The university has several campus locations, but the main one is known as Evanston and can be reached via train or bus by using numerous different routes, and is also easily accessible from both O’Hare and Midway airports which is very helpful for international students especially.

Latest ranking updates for Northwestern University
  • October 2024: Publication of THE World University Rankings . Ranking position #31.
  • September 2024: Northwestern University ranks 6 in the latest US News Best National Universities from Us News.
  • September 2024: NICHE Best Value Colleges in America update. Northwestern University achieves place 33.
  • September 2024: NICHE announced latest results of NICHE Best Colleges in America with Northwestern University in position 17.
#15
University Guru Meta Ranking
of Northwestern University
among 1923 universities in USA
based on 46 different rankings

University rankings

    • #18 
    • #31 
    THE World University Rankings
    [Published 09 October, 2024]
    • #16 
    • #50 
    QS World University Rankings
    [Published 04 June, 2024]
    • #14 
    • #29 
    QS Employability Rankings
    [Published 23 September, 2021]
    • #28 
    • #138 
    THE Global Employability University Ranking
    [Published 23 November, 2023]
    • #6 
    • #6 
    US News Best National Universities
    [Published 23 September, 2024]
    • #24 
    • #44 
    THE World Reputation Rankings
    [Published 27 July, 2023]
    • #11 
    • #11 
    Forbes: America's Top Colleges
    [Published 27 August, 2024]
    • #95 
    • #96 
    Payscale College Salary Report (Bachelor's Only)
    [Published 04 September, 2024]
    • #17 
    • #24 
    US News: Best Global Universities
    [Published 24 June, 2024]
    • #21 
    • #33 
    ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 15 August, 2024]
    • #34 
    • #34 
    Washington Monthly - National Universities
    [Published 25 August, 2024]
    • #26 
    • #100 
    THE World’s Most International Universities
    [Published 25 January, 2024]
    • #48 
    • #48 
    The Princeton Review: Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Private Schools)
    [Published 20 June, 2024]
    • #19 
    • #72 
    CWTS Leiden Ranking
    [Published 03 July, 2024]
    • #19 
    • #48 
    Scimago Institutions Rankings
    [Published 06 March, 2024]
    • #12 
    • #15 
    CWUR Center for World University Rankings
    [Published 13 May, 2024]
    • #11 
    • #11 
    MONEY: Best Selective Colleges
    [Published 16 May, 2022]
    • #13 
    • #32 
    Nature Index: Research Leaders Academic Sector
    [Published 15 June, 2024]
    • #16 
    • #36 
    NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #16 
    • #50 
    URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
    [Published 19 December, 2023]
    • #9 
    • #13 
    RUR World University Rankings
    [Published 30 May, 2024]
    • #32 
    • #52 
    RUR Reputation Ranking
    [Published 30 May, 2024]
    • #10 
    • #15 
    RUR Academic Rankings
    [Published 30 May, 2024]
    • #81 
    • #81 
    Payscale College Salary Report (All Alumni)
    [Published 04 September, 2024]
    • #37 
    • #42 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 Universities in the World
    [Published 07 February, 2024]
    • #37 
    • #41 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 English-Speaking Universities
    [Published 07 February, 2024]
    • #45 
    • #286 
    QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
    [Published 05 December, 2023]
    • #17 
    • #22 
    Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
    [Published 12 July, 2024]
    • #17 
    • #17 
    NICHE Best Colleges in America
    [Published 20 September, 2024]
    • #22 
    • #80 
    THE Top Universities for a Digital Education
    [Published 17 April, 2024]
    • #31 
    • #64 
    THE China Subject Ratings Overall
    [Published 27 March, 2024]
    • #33 
    • #33 
    NICHE Best Value Colleges in America
    [Published 20 September, 2024]
    • #61 
    • #62 
    WSJ/College Pulse: Best Colleges in the U.S.
    [Published 10 September, 2024]

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Chart Data

Subject rankings

Agriculture

    • #82 
    • #401 
    Agricultural Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #69 
    • #303 
    Agriculture
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #96 
    • #438 
    Earth Sciences
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]

Arts Visual & Performing

    • #60 
    • #60 
    Art
    Payscale: Best Schools for Majors by Salary Potential
    [Published 04 September, 2024]
    • #9 
    • #38 
    Performing Arts
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]

Business

    • #24 
    • #92 
    Business
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #19 
    • #23 
    Finance
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #4 
    • #10 
    Marketing
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #61 
    • #101 
    Public Administration
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Computer Science

    • #19 
    • #29 
    Artificial Intelligence
    Nature Index - Top 100 Institutions in Artificial Intelligence
    [Published 09 December, 2020]
    • #33 
    • #33 
    Computer Science
    Payscale: Best Schools for Majors by Salary Potential
    [Published 04 September, 2024]
    • #30 
    • #58 
    Computer Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #32 
    • #90 
    Computer Science
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

Education

    • #5 
    • #5 
    Education
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 08 April, 2024]
    • #16 
    • #20 
    Education
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #30 
    • #62 
    Education
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #32 
    • #101 
    Education
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]

Engineering

    • #31 
    • #101 
    Biotechnology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #13 
    • #39 
    Chemical Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #9 
    • #88 
    Chemical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #18 
    • #101 
    Chemical Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #13 
    • #28 
    Civil Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #44 
    • #266 
    Civil Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #16 
    • #31 
    Engineering
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #38 
    • #37 
    Engineering
    Payscale: Best Schools for Majors by Salary Potential
    [Published 04 September, 2024]
    • #37 
    • #37 
    Engineering
    MONEY: Best Colleges for Engineering Majors
    [Published 07 June, 2022]
    • #36 
    • #263 
    Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #80 
    • #561 
    Environmental Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #7 
    • #16 
    Materials Science
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #6 
    • #23 
    Materials Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #2 
    • #9 
    Mechanical Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #50 
    Mechanical Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #10 
    • #86 
    Mechanical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]

Journalism & Media Studies

    • #9 
    • #15 
    Journalism
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]

Languages & Literature

    • #30 
    • #97 
    Linguistics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]

Law

    • #21 
    • #21 
    Law
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #19 
    • #62 
    Law
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #15 
    • #68 
    Law
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]

Mathematics

    • #31 
    • #107 
    Mathematical Sciences
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #15 
    • #32 
    Mathematics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #26 
    • #70 
    Mathematics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #29 
    • #88 
    Mathematics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #29 
    • #44 
    Statistics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #35 
    • #83 
    Statistics
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]

Medicine & Health

    • #35 
    • #126 
    Dentistry
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #26 
    • #51 
    Medical Technology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #51 
    Medicine
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #36 
    • #198 
    Pharmacology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]

Natural Sciences

    • #4 
    • #4 
    Chemistry
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #4 
    • #10 
    Chemistry
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #6 
    • #16 
    Chemistry
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #3 
    • #32 
    Chemistry
    Nature Index - Top Academic Institutions by Subject
    [Published 15 June, 2024]
    • #92 
    • #301 
    Earth Sciences
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #47 
    • #201 
    Environmental Sciences
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #102 
    • #564 
    Environmental Sciences
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #40 
    • #101 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #85 
    • #413 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #23 
    • #51 
    Physics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #14 
    • #60 
    Physics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #26 
    • #51 
    Anthropology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #19 
    • #59 
    Anthropology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #29 
    • #101 
    Archaeology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #10 
    • #11 
    Economics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #10 
    • #24 
    Economics
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #19 
    • #80 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #32 
    • #101 
    History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #33 
    • #101 
    Philosophy
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #34 
    • #127 
    Philosophy
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #6 
    • #9 
    Psychology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #14 
    • #24 
    Psychology
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #13 
    • #27 
    Psychology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]
    • #20 
    • #44 
    Psychology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #19 
    • #31 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #51 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 01 September, 2024]
    • #19 
    • #23 
    Sociology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #9 
    • #24 
    Sociology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2024]
    • #16 
    • #49 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 10 April, 2024]

Highest subject rankings for Northwestern University

Chemistry GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#4 
Natural Sciences
Education US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
#5 
Education
Mechanical Engineering GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#9 
Engineering
Psychology GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#9 
Social Studies & Humanities
Marketing QS World University Rankings By Subject
#10 
Business
Journalism URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#15 
Journalism & Media Studies
Law GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#21 
Law
Artificial Intelligence Nature Index - Top 100 Institutions in Artificial Intelligence
#29 
Computer Science
Mathematics GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#32 
Mathematics
Performing Arts QS World University Rankings By Subject
#38 
Arts Visual & Performing

About Northwestern University

PROS

  • Many students agree that the campus is small in size, which is good for getting around quickly, but perhaps limiting for meeting people.
  • Learners emphasize that the teachers truly care about their students, because they are always willing to lend their support and feedback.
  • The workload is high, but if you come prepared for that you should have no problems. Most importantly, students feel accomplished and educated after graduating.

CONS

  • There is a strong trend from both positive and negative reviews that social divides can be felt here.
  • Some students highlight that they expect better housing for the tuition fees that were paid, as the students’ living spaces are small.
  • Many express their disappointment that there is no student discount for public transport in the city of Evanston.

Key facts

Foundation year:
1851
Telephone:
(847) 491-7271
Address:
633 Clark Street
60208, Evanston
USA
Website:
https://www.northwestern.edu/
Social:
  • Advice to Incoming Students from Northwestern SPS Graduates
  • Northwestern Students Review Northwestern
  • Things I Wished I Knew Before College (NORTHWESTERN EDITION)

Map of Northwestern University

FAQ

Northwestern University ranks #15 in USA in our meta ranking of 101 university rankings. See rankings of all 1923 universities in USA.

Northwestern University ranks #1 in Evanston in our meta ranking.

Northwestern University is listed in THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, QS Employability Rankings, THE Global Employability University Ranking, US News Best National Universities, THE World Reputation Rankings and more. See all 46 rankings of Northwestern University.

Northwestern University achieved #2 in The Economist: Executive MBA Ranking. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 101 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for Northwestern University.

Northwestern University achieved the highest ranking for Engineering. It is ranked #1 in GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking (Materials Science & Engineering). See all subject rankings for Northwestern University.

A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 101 university rankings Northwestern University ranks #1 among universities in Evanston and #15 among universities in USA. See all rankings of Northwestern University.

In our meta ranking Northwestern University ranks #15 among all universities in USA and Harvard University ranks #1. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.