Comparable Schools'
Academics Grades:
Quick Stats
Student-Faculty Ratio
7:1
Average Course Load
4 courses
Faculty with Terminal Degree
100 %
College Prowler Take
As with any school, professors at NU are hit or miss. You may have a class on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a professor as dry as week-old bread, but on Tuesday and Thursday, you may be sharing the classroom with a Tony Award-winning diva. Despite this variation, one thing’s for sure: you’ll never suffer through class with an unprepared graduate student forced to take the course on, so you always have access to instructors who are experts in at least some aspects of what they are teaching. Use the online ratings to help weigh whether or not a quarter of boredom is worth the resulting knowledge.
It’s universally accepted that academics here are top-of-the-line. Though some students gripe, most come to Northwestern because they are ambitious and passionate about learning—even if they’re not sure about what they want to concentrate on just yet. Take the time to schmooze with your professors, who are remarkably receptive to student initiative. Academics here are what you make of them. You have all the resources in front of you to begin your rise to the top of any chosen field. The theater and journalism programs are widely-regarded as the best in the country. But if you don’t take advantage of the opportunities you’re presented with, your experience likely will be sub-par. Go aggressively after what you want, and you’ll be rewarded with knowledge, good grades, and excellent connections.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
Most teachers are very friendly...
Most teachers are very friendly and engaging. They enjoy getting to know students, so make the effort. |
Anonymous says: |
Most of the professors I’ve...
Most of the professors I’ve encountered like the classes they are teaching or are very interested in the subject, in general. But there are so many professors, it’s pretty class/department specific. I do like most of my classes, but there always some that are going to be a real chore you have to force yourself out of bed for. I really trust the course and teacher evaluations; they haven’t steered me wrong yet. |
Anonymous says: |
There are the professors who are...
There are the professors who are amazing, and then there are some that are geniuses but can’t teach. I have only encountered one of them in my career here, but he’s a nice guy and is always willing to explain things to you in office hours. Journalism is one of the best programs in the country, as are the music and theater programs. So it all depends. |
Anonymous says: |
I have some amazing professors and...
I have some amazing professors and some that are awful. Northwestern has a really good system where you can read online what other students thought of classes and professors before making your decisions. |
Anonymous says: |
The private teachers at Regenstein...
The private teachers at Regenstein Music Hall are largely among the best in the world, especially the brass and percussion teachers. However, a lot of the faculty members are aging and refuse to admit that they are no longer qualified to teach and keep the money so that new teachers who can actually hear can’t be hired. |
Facts
Most Popular Majors
- Engineering - 14 %
- Journalism - 18 %
- Psychology - 8 %
- Social sciences - 20 %
- Visual/performing arts - 12 %
Degrees Awarded
- Bachelor's
- Doctorate
- First professional
- Master's
- Post-master's certificate
Special Degree Options
- Accelerated master's in journalism, music, and engineering
- Center for Art and Technology Certificate
- Honors program in medical education, sound design
- Interdepartmental biological sciences program
- Music criticism (Music and Journalism) degree
- Undergraduate Leadership Program Certificate
Class Sizes
- 20 to 49 Students - 17 %
- 50 or More Students - 7 %
- Fewer than 20 Students - 75 %
Undergraduate Schools
- Kellogg School of Management
- McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
- Medill School of Journalism
- School of Communication
- School of Continuing Studies
- School of Education and Social Policy
- School of Music
- Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences
Graduation Rates
- 4-Year - 86 %
- 5-Year - 92 %
- 6-Year - 93 %
Best Places to Study
- Deering Library
- Norris University Center
- The Lakefill when it’s nice out
- University Library
AP Test Score Requirements
Possible credit for scores of 4 and higher
Did You Know?
Though other schools participate in Primal Scream, Northwestern students mark the beginning of finals week with Primal Streak. This is when a group of students run scantily clad or naked from the Technological Institute to the Arch.
Best Places to Study:
Deering Library, University Library, Norris University Center, and the Lakefill when it’s nice out
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