2025 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$29,999
Net Price
7%
Admitted
63%
Enrolled
95%
Graduation Rate
6/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
Northwestern University
is a private not-for-profit, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 23,409. In 2021, there were 700 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #2 in Illinois and ranks #13 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, Doctor
Psychology Graduates
700
Total Enrollment
23,409
Type
Private Not-for-profit, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission
Ranking for Northwestern University
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
Illinois Rank
Combining ranking factors for 53 schools that offer psychology degrees in Illinois, Northwestern University ranks #2.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., Northwestern University ranks #13.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, Northwestern University offers Cognitive Psychology, General Psychology and Research Psychology at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers Clinical Psychology, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Counseling Psychology, General Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy. At the doctorate level General Psychology are offered.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA | PhD |
| Clinical Psychology | – | 14 | – |
| Cognitive Psychology | 15 | – | – |
| Counseling and Applied Psychology | – | 267 | – |
| Counseling Psychology | – | 253 | – |
| General Psychology | 89 | 12 | 8 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | – | 27 | – |
| Research Psychology | 15 | – | – |
| Total Graduates | 119 | 573 | 8 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 47,636 students applied to the Northwestern University. The university admitted 7% and 63% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for Illinois universities is 7,762. On average, all Illinois institutions admit 71% and 26% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of Northwestern University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 99%. Compared to all Illinois four or more years colleges, the percentage is 72%.
The overall graduation rate for Northwestern University is 95%, compared to 57% for all Illinois universities.
Compare NU to Illinois Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of Northwestern University to the average of all Illinois four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
NU
47,636
Applicants
7%
Percent Admitted
63%
Percent Enrolled
99%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
95%
Graduation Rate
IL Colleges
7,762
Applicants
71%
Percent Admitted
26%
Percent Enrolled
72%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
57%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 3,521 or 89% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 425 or 11% part-time faculty members employed at Northwestern University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 2,353 or 60%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
NU
6 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
89%
Percent Full-Time
11%
Percent Part-Time
60%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
IL Colleges
13 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
51%
Percent Full-Time
49%
Percent Part-Time
49%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at Northwestern University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $60,276, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,566.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $56,067 and the average cost for graduate fees is $500.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend Northwestern University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for Northwestern University | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $18,264 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $3,240 |
| Total Living Expenses | $21,504 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $60,276 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,566 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $83,346 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $56,067 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $500 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $56,567 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend Northwestern University is $29,999. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Compare Northwestern University to all Illinois universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
NU
$83,346
Cost to Attend
$47,897
Average Financial Aid
66%
Percent Receiving Aid
$29,999
Net Price
IL Colleges
$38,884
Cost to Attend
$15,853
Average Financial Aid
89%
Percent Receiving Aid
$16,618
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 1,249 or 66%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 4,906 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $47,897.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 4,906 | $47,897 |
| Pell Grants | 1,600 | $4,895 |
| Federal Student Loans | 1,632 | $5,756 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the Northwestern University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
NU
4,906
Grant or Scholarship Aid
60%
Grants or Scholarships
1,600
Number of Pell Grants
20%
Pell Grants
1,632
Federal Student Loans
20%
Federal Student Loans
IL Colleges
3,454
Grant or Scholarship Aid
52%
Grants or Scholarships
1,580
Number of Pell Grants
24%
Pell Grants
1,665
Federal Student Loans
25%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for Illinois.
