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
  • March 2024: Scimago Institutions announced latest results of Scimago Institutions Rankings with Northwestern University in position 48.
  • January 2024: Northwestern University ranks 100 in the latest THE World’s Most International Universities from THE Times Higher Education, UK.
  • December 2023: Publication of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance. Ranking position #50.
  • December 2023: Northwestern University ranks 101 in the latest Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments - ShanghaiRanking (Sport Science) from ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.

University rankings

    • #10 
    • #9 
    Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
    [Published 14 September, 2021]
    • #19 
    • #28 
    THE World University Rankings
    [Published 27 September, 2023]
    • #16 
    • #47 
    QS World University Rankings
    [Published 27 June, 2023]
    • #14 
    • #29 
    QS Employability Rankings
    [Published 23 September, 2021]
    • #29 
    • #134 
    THE Global Employability University Ranking
    [Published 23 November, 2022]
    • #18 
    • #24 
    Reuters Most Innovative Universities
    [Published 23 October, 2019]
    • #11 
    • #9 
    US News Best National Universities
    [Published 17 September, 2023]
    • #24 
    • #44 
    THE World Reputation Rankings
    [Published 27 July, 2023]
    • #11 
    • #11 
    Forbes: America's Top Colleges
    [Published 30 August, 2022]
    • #84 
    • #84 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #18 
    • #24 
    US News: Best Global Universities
    [Published 24 October, 2022]
    • #20 
    • #30 
    ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 15 August, 2023]
    • #30 
    • #30 
    Washington Monthly - National Universities
    [Published 28 August, 2022]
    • #26 
    • #100 
    THE World’s Most International Universities
    [Published 25 January, 2024]
    • #44 
    • #44 
    Kiplinger's Best College Values
    [Published 31 July, 2019]
    • #44 
    • #44 
    The Princeton Review: Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Private Schools)
    [Published 26 April, 2022]
    • #19 
    • #62 
    CWTS Leiden Ranking
    [Published 22 June, 2022]
    • #19 
    • #48 
    Scimago Institutions Rankings
    [Published 06 March, 2024]
    • #14 
    • #17 
    CWUR Center for World University Rankings
    [Published 25 April, 2022]
    • #11 
    • #11 
    MONEY: Best Selective Colleges
    [Published 16 May, 2022]
    • #12 
    • #28 
    Nature Index - Academic
    [Published 15 June, 2023]
    • #16 
    • #35 
    NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #16 
    • #50 
    URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
    [Published 19 December, 2023]
    • #8 
    • #12 
    RUR World University Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #34 
    • #52 
    RUR Reputation Ranking
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #9 
    • #11 
    RUR Academic Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #192 
    • #270 
    StuDocu World University Ranking - US & Canada
    [Published 06 September, 2021]
    • #68 
    • #68 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #36 
    • #41 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 Universities in the World
    [Published 11 August, 2022]
    • #36 
    • #40 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 English-Speaking Universities
    [Published 11 August, 2022]
    • #45 
    • #286 
    QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
    [Published 05 December, 2023]
    • #17 
    • #22 
    Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
    [Published 31 July, 2023]
    • #14 
    • #26 
    THE Top Universities for a Digital Education
    [Published 10 May, 2022]
    • #26 
    • #56 
    THE China Subject Ratings Overall
    [Published 11 May, 2022]

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Chart Data

Subject rankings

Agriculture

    • #74 
    • #304 
    Agriculture
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Architecture, Building & Planning

    • #26 
    • #187 
    Architecture
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Business

    • #24 
    • #92 
    Business
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #19 
    • #23 
    Finance
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #4 
    • #5 
    Marketing
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #53 
    • #101 
    Public Administration
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Computer Science

    • #38 
    • #38 
    Computer Science
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #45 
    • #45 
    Computer Science
    Best Colleges for Computer Science Majors
    [Published 25 August, 2020]
    • #32 
    • #90 
    Computer Science
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #41 
    • #97 
    Computer Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

Education

    • #11 
    • #11 
    Education
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 28 March, 2022]
    • #16 
    • #20 
    Education
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #33 
    • #66 
    Education
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #34 
    • #101 
    Education
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Engineering

    • #30 
    • #101 
    Biotechnology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #16 
    • #51 
    Chemical Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #5 
    • #57 
    Chemical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #18 
    • #101 
    Chemical Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #18 
    • #65 
    Civil Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #45 
    • #257 
    Civil Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #20 
    Engineering
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #16 
    • #31 
    Engineering
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #37 
    • #37 
    Engineering
    MONEY: Best Colleges for Engineering Majors
    [Published 07 June, 2022]
    • #37 
    • #237 
    Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #80 
    • #529 
    Environmental Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #8 
    • #29 
    Materials Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #2 
    • #9 
    Mechanical Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #8 
    • #72 
    Mechanical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #31 
    • #74 
    Mechanical Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

Journalism & Media Studies

    • #10 
    • #17 
    Journalism
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Languages & Literature

    • #34 
    • #101 
    Linguistics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

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 
    • #63 
    Law
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Mathematics

    • #15 
    • #32 
    Mathematics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #78 
    Mathematics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #30 
    • #85 
    Mathematics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Medicine & Health

    • #37 
    • #127 
    Dentistry
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #52 
    Medicine
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #81 
    • #79 
    Nursing & Health Care
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]

Natural Sciences

    • #4 
    • #4 
    Chemistry
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #6 
    • #13 
    Chemistry
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #4 
    • #13 
    Chemistry
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #3 
    • #27 
    Chemistry
    Nature Index - Top Academic Institutions by Subject
    [Published 15 June, 2023]
    • #38 
    • #101 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #88 
    • #409 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #23 
    • #51 
    Physics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #14 
    • #53 
    Physics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #22 
    • #51 
    Anthropology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #62 
    Anthropology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #10 
    • #11 
    Economics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #12 
    • #29 
    Economics
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #31 
    • #201 
    Geography
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #51 
    History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #18 
    • #80 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #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 
    • #29 
    Psychology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #19 
    • #38 
    Psychology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #19 
    • #31 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #45 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #19 
    • #23 
    Sociology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #11 
    • #29 
    Sociology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #18 
    • #52 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Highest subject rankings for Northwestern University

Chemistry GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#4 
Natural Sciences
Marketing QS World University Rankings By Subject
#5 
Business
Psychology GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#9 
Social Studies & Humanities
Mechanical Engineering GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#9 
Engineering
Education US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
#11 
Education
Journalism URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#17 
Journalism & Media Studies
Law GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#21 
Law
Mathematics GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#32 
Mathematics
Computer Science Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#38 
Computer Science
Medicine QS World University Rankings By Subject
#52 
Medicine & Health

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 #14 in USA in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 1924 universities in USA.

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

Northwestern University is listed in Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings, THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, QS Employability Rankings, THE Global Employability University Ranking, Reuters Most Innovative Universities and more. See all 49 rankings of Northwestern University.

Northwestern University achieved #2 in The Economist: Executive MBA Ranking. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for Northwestern University.

Northwestern University achieved the highest ranking for Engineering. It is ranked #1 in (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 112 university rankings Northwestern University ranks #1 among universities in Evanston and #14 among universities in USA. See all rankings of Northwestern University.

In our meta ranking Northwestern University ranks #14 among all universities in USA and Stanford University ranks #1. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.