Northwestern University SAT and ACT scores
Evanston, IL · private college · 9,157 undergraduates. These are the scores of first-year students who sent them; the college is test-optional, so students with lower scores often don't send them.
Updated October 29, 2026 · College Scorecard data release 06/10/2026
Test policy and the CLT
- SAT and ACT: Test-optional (considered, not required), as Northwestern University reports it to the federal government. Check the college's admissions site for this year's rule.
- CLT: Not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Type a score to see how it compares with the middle 50% here.
Raise your score for Northwestern University
Free practice that explains every answer.
Questions people ask
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent SAT scores to Northwestern University scored 1510 to 1570, with an average of 1533. A score at or above 1540 puts you in the upper half of that range. Scores below the range don't rule you out, but they make the rest of the application matter more.
What ACT score do you need for Northwestern University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent ACT scores scored 33 to 35. A 35 or higher puts you in the top quarter of students who sent ACT scores.
Does Northwestern University require the SAT or ACT?
Northwestern University reports its test policy to the federal government as "Considered but not required". Policies change from year to year, so confirm on the college's admissions website before you apply.
Does Northwestern University accept the CLT?
Northwestern University is not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026. Ask its admissions office before sending CLT scores.
Colleges in Illinois with similar scores
- University of ChicagoSAT 1510–1580
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignSAT 1310–1520
- Wheaton CollegeSAT 1260–1470
- Illinois Institute of TechnologySAT 1180–1440
- Knox CollegeSAT 1180–1440
Colleges elsewhere with similar scores
- Rice UniversitySAT 1510–1570
- University of PennsylvaniaSAT 1510–1570
- Amherst CollegeSAT 1490–1580
- Brown UniversitySAT 1510–1580
- Carnegie Mellon UniversitySAT 1500–1570
- Columbia University in the City of New YorkSAT 1510–1580
More about Northwestern University
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard: Northwestern University (data release 06/10/2026; scores and test policy as reported by the college to IPEDS)
- Classic Learning Test, colleges that accept the CLT, read October 29, 2026
- CLT and SAT concordance and CLT and ACT concordance, read October 29, 2026