Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a private research university founded in 1851, with its main campus in Evanston, Illinois, on the shore of Lake Michigan just north of Chicago. It is widely regarded for its journalism, communications, and performing arts programmes alongside strong offerings in business and engineering.

Why students choose Northwestern

• A highly regarded journalism school alongside strong theatre and communications programmes.
• A well-known business school offering programmes at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
• A leafy lakefront campus in Evanston with easy access to downtown Chicago.
• Strong research output across engineering, medicine, and the sciences.
• An active campus culture supported by a close-knit Big Ten sporting tradition.

Campus and location

The main campus lies in Evanston on Lake Michigan, a short train ride from downtown Chicago, with a second campus on Chicago’s Streeterville area.

What students say

Students commonly mention Northwestern’s quarter system as fast-paced, packing coursework into a shorter term than the semester schedules used elsewhere. A recurring theme is praise for the hands-on, practical training in journalism, theatre, and communications programmes. Reviews also often note the lakefront Evanston campus as a pleasant, if quieter, alternative to a downtown Chicago location, with easy train access into the city when students want it.

Official website: https://www.northwestern.edu

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