Information
Landmark: Northwestern UniversityCity: Evanston
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Northwestern University, Evanston, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
Northwestern University, a top private research school, sits in Evanston, Illinois, just beyond Chicago’s northern edge, where tree-lined streets meet the lake.Established in 1851, it stands among the nation’s top academic institutions, known for demanding coursework, groundbreaking research, and a lively campus where students spill out onto sunlit lawns between classes.Here’s a closer look at the history: the school was founded in 1851 by John Evans and several other well-known Illinois residents, back when the streets still echoed with the sound of horse-drawn wagons.It’s a private research university, the kind where quiet labs hum late into the night.Its motto is “Whatsoever things are true.” With an endowment of roughly $15.6 billion in 2025-enough to keep its libraries humming late into the night-it ranks among the wealthiest universities in the country.Only about 7% of applicants get in, a sign of just how selective it is.The Evanston campus stretches across 231 acres, with grassy lawns running right up to the edge of Lake Michigan’s blue shoreline.In fall 2023, the campus held about 8,846 undergrads and 13,955 grad students-a sea of backpacks moving between classes.Northwestern began with a mission to serve the old Northwest Territory-now the Midwest-and over time has grown into a full-scale university, with sprawling campuses and academic programs that range from engineering labs to quiet literature seminars.The main campus sits in Evanston, Illinois, right on the lake, where sandy beaches meet leafy gardens, sports fields stretch wide, and historic brick halls stand alongside sleek modern buildings.At the Chicago campus, the focus is squarely on professional programs-law, medicine, and business-where students pore over casebooks and lab notes late into the night.We’ve expanded our reach with campuses and partnerships around the world, from the sunlit coast of California to the bustling streets of Doha, Qatar.The Evanston campus blends right into the city, so students can stroll to coffee shops, grab dinner at nearby restaurants, catch a show, and hop a train downtown to Chicago-just 12 miles south.Northwestern’s academics span 12 schools, where students can earn undergraduate, graduate, or professional degrees-whether it’s studying law in a quiet library or engineering in a buzzing lab.By bringing different disciplines together, it sparks collaboration-chemists talking with designers, ideas flowing fast across fields.Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences is the largest undergraduate school, offering a wide liberal arts curriculum that ranges from philosophy to physics.The McCormick School of Engineering is celebrated for pushing the boundaries of engineering education and research, from cutting-edge robotics labs to bold new design programs.The Kellogg School of Management ranks among the best, offering MBA and executive programs that draw leaders from around the world-sometimes with coffee in hand before an early seminar.Pritzker School of Law is a top-tier institution known for its sharp focus on public interest and business law, where students might debate cases late into the night over coffee.Feinberg School of Medicine is a major medical school known for groundbreaking research and top-tier clinical programs, from advanced cancer studies to hands-on patient care.Other schools include Communication, Education and Social Policy, Music at the Bienen School, and a few others you might spot walking past the main quad.At Northwestern, an interdisciplinary spirit runs deep, reflected in places like the Knight Lab, where media ideas turn into prototypes, the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, and the Institute for Sustainability and Energy.At Research and Innovation Northwestern, the energy’s palpable-this place pulls in more than $1 billion a year to fuel groundbreaking work.It runs over 90 research centers in schools and another 35 that span the entire university.The university’s top research spans neuroscience, nanotechnology, biotechnology, data science, and environmental sustainability, from mapping brain circuits to designing new materials.It also backs student entrepreneurs through The Garage, a bright, bustling space with shared desks, mentors, and tools to turn ideas into startups.They’ve helped launch more than 300 student-run startups, from coffee cart ideas to sleek tech prototypes.At Northwestern, you can live in a dorm, settle into an apartment, or join a themed house where late-night conversations spill into the hallway.Student Organizations: More than 500 options, from vibrant cultural groups and lively sports teams to academic societies and theater troupes that echo with applause.The Wildcats compete in NCAA Division I’s Big Ten Conference, fielding 19 varsity teams that charge onto the court, track, and field with purple jerseys.They’ve shined in football, women’s lacrosse, field hockey, and softball, racking up wins and the sound of cheering crowds.Arts & Culture: A lively mix of theaters, galleries, music groups, and film festivals fills the streets with color and sound.Northwestern invites students to roll up their sleeves and get involved, offering service projects and civic programs in Evanston and well beyond its tree-lined streets.At Northwestern, Global Engagement champions study abroad programs and builds partnerships that span continents.More than three in ten undergrads spend a semester-or sometimes a full year-studying abroad, whether in bustling cities like Madrid or quiet villages in the Alps.You can study in more than 20 countries, from bustling markets in Morocco to quiet libraries in Japan.The Buffett Institute brings together scholars and leaders worldwide, steering research, diplomacy, and cultural exchanges-from policy talks to shared art exhibits.Northwestern boasts alumni who’ve shaped culture, politics, and business-Stephen Colbert cracking jokes on late-night TV, Julia Louis-Dreyfus owning the Emmy stage, Meghan Markle stepping into royal life, George R. R. Martin spinning epic tales, Seth Meyers delivering sharp monologues, J. B. Pritzker leading Illinois, and Gwynne Shotwell steering SpaceX toward the stars-and if you stop by the Evanston campus, you can join a guided tour any time of year, maybe catching the scent of fresh coffee drifting from a nearby café.Public talks, lively exhibitions, and performances that fill the room with music.Lakeside beaches offer swimming and sunbathing, while nearby sports facilities buzz with games and laughter.You’re steps away from Evanston’s lively streets, with cozy cafés and unique shops waiting to be explored.At Northwestern University, world-class academics meet a lively campus life, fueled by bold research breakthroughs and a global reach that stretches from Evanston’s lakeshore to cities across the world.Perched on the edge of Lake Michigan, it’s a lively center of ideas and culture, shaping education, driving science forward, and leaving its mark on the community.
