Academics
- Graduation Rate97%
- Majors Available228
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio6:1
- Retention Rate97%
AP Credit Policy
Northwestern applies one policy regarding how much test credit is awarded to all undergraduate students regardless of major or school. In nearly all areas Northwestern awards credit for scores of 5; in some cases credit is also awarded for scores or 3 or 4. Each undergraduate school then determines how the credit may apply to degree requirements.
For more information, view the credit policy on the college's website.
Offers credits
Yes
Offers placement into advanced courses
Yes
AP Courses | Min Score Required | Number of Credits | Course Equivalent |
---|---|---|---|
2-D Art and Design | 5 | 1 | Art 2XX |
3-D Art and Design | 5 | 1 | Art 2XX |
African American Studies | 5 | 1 | BLK_ST 2XX |
Art History | 5 | 1 | ART_HIST 2XX |
Biology | 5 | 1 | BIOL_SCI 1XX |
Calculus AB | 4 | 1 | Math 220-1 |
5 | 2 | Math 220-1, 2 | |
Calculus BC | 3 | 3 | see Mathematics AB |
4 | 2 | Math 220-1,2 | |
5 | 3 | Math 220-1,2 & Math 226-0 | |
Calculus BC: AB Subscore | 4 | 1 | Math 220-1 |
5 | 2 | Math 220-1, 2 | |
Chemistry | 4 | 1 | Chem 1X0 |
5 | 4 | Chem 1X0, 1X1, 1X2, and lab courses 11X, 12X | |
Chinese Language and Culture | 5 | 2 | Chinese 1LN |
4 | 1 | Chinese 1LN | |
Comparative Government and Politics | 5 | 1 | POLI_SCI 2XX |
Computer Science A | 4 | 1 | COMP_SCI 150-0 |
Computer Science Principles | 4 | 1 | COMP_SCI 1XX |
Drawing | 5 | 1 | ART 2XX |
English Language and Composition | 5 | 2 | English 1LC |
English Literature and Composition | 5 | 2 | English 1LT |
Environmental Science | 5 | 1 | ENVR_SCI 1XX |
European History | 5 | 2 | HISTORY 2EU |
French Language and Culture | 4 | 1 | French 1LN |
5 | 2 | French 2LN | |
German Language and Culture | 5 | 2 | German 2LN |
4 | 1 | German 1LN | |
Human Geography | 5 | 1 | GEOG 1XX |
Italian Language and Culture | 5 | 2 | Italian 2LN |
4 | 1 | Italian 2LN | |
Japanese Language and Culture | 5 | 2 | Japanese 1LN |
4 | 1 | Japanese 1LN | |
Latin | 4 | 1 | Latin 2LN |
5 | 2 | Latin 2LN | |
Macroeconomics | 5 | 1 | ECON 201-0 |
Microeconomics | 5 | 1 | ECON 202-0 |
Music Theory | 5 | 1 | GEN_MUS 252-0 |
Physics 1 | 5 | 1 | Physics 130-1 and 13X-1 |
Physics 2 | 5 | 1 | Physics 130-2 and 13X-2 |
Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism | 5 | 1 | Physics 135-2 and 136-2 (for exams taken either before or after calendar year 2020) |
5 | 1 | Physics 1XX and 1XL (for exams taken in 2020) | |
Physics C: Mechanics | 5 | 1 | Physics 135-1 and 136-1 |
Psychology | 5 | 1 | PSYCH 110-0 |
Spanish Language and Culture | 4 | 1 | Spanish 2LN |
5 | 2 | Spanish 2LN | |
Spanish Literature and Culture | 5 | 2 | Spanish 2LT |
4 | 1 | Spanish 2LT | |
Statistics | 4 | 1 | STAT 210-0 (for exams taken either before or after calendar year 2020) |
4 | 1 | Stat 1XX | |
5 | 1 | STAT 210-0 | |
United States Government and Politics | 5 | 1 | POLI_SCI 2XX |
United States History | 5 | 2 | HISTORY 2US |
World History: Modern | 5 | 2 | HISTORY 2WL |
Study Options
Majors and Degrees
The college offers the following degrees: Certificate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral
A
- Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping
- Accounting and Related Services, Other
- Acting
- Advanced Legal Research/Studies, General
- African Studies
- African-American/Black Studies
- American/United States Studies/Civilization
- Anthropology
- Anthropology, Other
- Applied Mathematics
- Architecture and Related Services, Other
- Area Studies, Other
- Art History, Criticism and Conservation
- Art/Art Studies, General
- Artificial Intelligence
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General
- Asian Studies/Civilization
- Asian-American Studies
- Astronomy
- Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other
- Audiology/Audiologist
- Audiology/Audiologist and Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
B
- Behavioral Sciences
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
- Bioethics/Medical Ethics
- Bioinformatics
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
- Biological and Physical Sciences
- Biological/Biosystems Engineering
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other
- Biomedical Sciences, General
- Biostatistics
- Biotechnology
- Botany/Plant Biology, Other
- Business Administration and Management, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
- Business/Commerce, General
- Business/Managerial Economics
C
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry, General
- Civil Engineering, General
- Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Clinical Psychology
- Clinical Research Coordinator
- Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics
- Cognitive Science, General
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, General
- Communication and Media Studies, Other
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
- Community Organization and Advocacy
- Community Psychology
- Comparative Literature
- Computational and Applied Mathematics
- Computer Engineering, General
- Computer Science
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
- Computer and Information Sciences, General
- Computer and Information Sciences, Other
- Conducting
- Counseling Psychology
- Creative Writing
- Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis
D
- Dance, General
- Data Science, General
- Dental Clinical Sciences, General
- Design and Visual Communications, General
- Developmental Biology and Embryology
- Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
- Directing and Theatrical Production
- Documentary Production
- Drama and Dramatics/Theater Arts, General
- Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other
E
- E-Commerce/Electronic Commerce
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Ecology
- Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
- Economics, General
- Education, General
- Education, Other
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities
- Educational Leadership and Administration, General
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Engineering Design
- Engineering Mechanics
- Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
- Engineering Science
- Engineering, General
- Engineering, Other
- Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Engineering/Industrial Management
- English Language and Literature, General
- Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other
- European Studies/Civilization
F
- Film/Cinema/Media Studies
- Finance, General
- French Language and Literature
G
- General Studies
- Genetic Counseling/Counselor
- Geography
- Geology/Earth Science, General
- German Language and Literature
H
- Health Communication
- Health Information/Medical Records Administration/Administrator
- Health Policy Analysis
- Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General
- Health and Medical Administrative Services, Other
- Health and Wellness, General
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management
- Health/Medical Preparatory Programs, Other
- Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
- Hispanic and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies
- History, General
- Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services, Other
- Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
- Humanities/Humanistic Studies
I
- Industrial Engineering
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Information Science/Studies
- Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
- International Business/Trade/Commerce
- International Public Health/International Health
- International Relations and Affairs
- International/Globalization Studies
- Italian Language and Literature
J
- Jazz/Jazz Studies
- Jewish/Judaic Studies
- Journalism
K
- Keyboard Instruments
L
- Labor and Industrial Relations
- Latin American and Caribbean Studies
- Law
- Learning Sciences
- Legal Professions and Studies, Other
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other
- Legal Studies
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
- Linguistics
M
- Management Information Systems, General
- Management Science
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General
- Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
- Materials Engineering
- Materials Science
- Mathematics, General
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanical/Mechanical Engineering Technology/Technician
- Medical Informatics
- Medical Science/Scientist
- Medicine
- Medieval and Renaissance Studies
- Middle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Other
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General
- Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other
- Music Performance, General
- Music Teacher Education
- Music Theory and Composition
- Music, General
- Music, Other
- Musical Theatre
- Musicology and Ethnomusicology
N
- Near and Middle Eastern Studies
- Neurobiology and Anatomy
- Neuroscience
- Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
O
- Operations Management and Supervision
- Operations Research
- Organizational Behavior Studies
- Orthotist/Prosthetist
P
- Philosophy
- Physical Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapy/Therapist
- Physician Assistant
- Physics, General
- Playwriting and Screenwriting
- Political Science and Government, General
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
- Pre-Physical Therapy Studies
- Programs for Foreign Lawyers
- Psychology, General
- Psychology, Other
- Public Administration
- Public Health, General
- Public Policy Analysis
R
- Radio and Television
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication, Other
- Real Estate
- Religion/Religious Studies
- Religion/Religious Studies, Other
- Religious/Sacred Music
- Robotics Technology/Technician
S
- Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
- Science, Technology and Society
- Secondary Education and Teaching
- Slavic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General
- Social Sciences, General
- Social Sciences, Other
- Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
- Sociology
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Speech Communication and Rhetoric
- Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist
- Sport and Fitness Administration/Management
- Sports Communication
- Statistics, General
- Stringed Instruments
- Sustainability Studies
- Systems Science and Theory
T
- Tax Law/Taxation
- Theatre Literature, History and Criticism
- Transportation/Mobility Management
U
- Urban Studies/Affairs
V
- Visual and Performing Arts, General
- Voice and Opera
W
- Women's Studies
- Writing, General
Need Help Choosing a Major?
Keep in mind most colleges don’t require students to declare a major until the end of their sophomore year, and many students change majors at least once.
Special Academics Program
- Accelerated Study
- Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities
- Double Major
- Independent Study
- Internships
- Liberal Arts/Career Combination
- ROTC, Air Force
- ROTC, Army
- ROTC, Navy
- Student-Designed Major
- Study Abroad
- Teacher Certification
- Undergraduate Research
You might also be interested in…
Hillsdale College
Hillsdale, MI
- 4-year
- Private
- Small
- Rural
87% graduation rate$24K average per year after aid1353–1490Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
- 4-year
- Private
- Small
- Rural
71% graduation rate$24K average per year after aid1080–1320University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Platteville, WI
- 4-year
- Public
- Medium
- Rural
61% graduation rate$16K average per year after aidSAT score range not availableUniversity of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
- 4-year
- Private
- Medium
- Suburban
96% graduation rate$28K average per year after aidSAT score range not availableUniversity of Chicago
Chicago, IL
- 4-year
- Private
- Medium
- Urban
96% graduation rate$37K average per year after aid1510–1560
Note: College profiles are based primarily on information supplied by the colleges themselves through participation in College Board's BigFuture College Profiles higher education data collection portal, with some data provided via federal and state agencies. Costs, dates, policies, and programs are subject to change, so please confirm important facts with college admission personnel.