Evanston, ILTest-optional~7.7% admit rate

Northwestern University SAT & ACT Scores

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510–1560 on the SAT and 34–35 on the ACT.

Admitted-student score ranges

Each bar shows the middle 50% (25th–75th percentile) of admitted students. Aim for the upper end to be comfortably competitive.

SAT total1510 – 1560

40080012001600

ACT composite34 – 35

1122436

Test	25th percentile	75th percentile
SAT total	1510	1560
ACT composite	34	35

What the “middle 50%” actually means

These are not cutoffs. The 25th percentile (1510 SAT / 34 ACT) means a quarter of admitted students scored at or below it, and the 75th percentile (1560 SAT / 35 ACT) means a quarter scored at or above it. Half of admitted students land inside the range — and students are admitted both below and above it every year, because scores are only one part of the application.

Northwestern University is test-optional

Northwestern University does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1510 SAT / 34 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers about SAT and ACT scores for Northwestern University, from the data above.

What SAT score do I need for Northwestern University?+

There is no fixed cutoff. The middle 50% of recently enrolled Northwestern University students scored between 1510 and 1560 on the SAT, so a competitive target is around 1560 (the 75th percentile). A score near 1540 would sit close to the middle of admitted students.

Is a 1510 SAT good enough for Northwestern University?+

A 1510 sits at roughly the 25th percentile — about a quarter of enrolled students scored at or below it, so it is within range but on the lower end. Admitted students at that level typically stand out in other ways (grades, rigor, essays, activities). Aiming closer to 1560 gives you more margin.

What ACT score do I need for Northwestern University?+

The middle 50% of recently enrolled students scored 34–35 on the ACT. A composite around 35 would place you near the top of that range; 34 is roughly the 25th percentile.

Is Northwestern University test-optional or test-required?+

Northwestern University does not require an SAT or ACT score, but will consider one if you submit it. Because the range below reflects students who chose to submit, a score at or above the 25th percentile (1510 SAT / 34 ACT) generally strengthens your application — while a lower score is usually better left off.

Similar Colleges by SAT Range

Colleges whose admitted-student SAT range is closest to Northwestern University's (1510–1560).

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA

1510–1560

Columbia University

New York, NY

1510–1560

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

1510–1560

Rice University

Houston, TX

1510–1560

University of Chicago

Chicago, IL

1510–1560

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

1510–1560

Ranked by closeness to Northwestern University’s SAT range, not by prestige or selectivity.

Know your score before you apply

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Score ranges describe the middle 50% of Northwestern University’s admitted students (Fall 2024 entering class (CDS 2024–2025)); they are not admission cutoffs or guarantees. Northwestern remains test-optional; fewer than half of enrolled students submitted an SAT score, so the range reflects self-selected submitters. Figures are compiled from official Common Data Set and college sources and may differ slightly from the most recent cycle — always confirm with Northwestern University’s admissions office.

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