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Northwestern University

Q: What are the most popular majors at Northwestern University?

Northwestern University's most popular majors by share of degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (20.3%), Communication (11.3%), Engineering (11.0%). The full ranking by graduate salary is in the table above.

Q: Which major at Northwestern University pays the most?

The highest-earning major at Northwestern University is Computer Science, with a median 4-year-out salary of $116,250 — well above the school-wide median of $89,363.

Q: Are some majors at Northwestern University harder to get into than others?

Yes. Northwestern University's overall acceptance rate is 7.1%, but selective programs (computer science, business, engineering, nursing) often admit at lower rates than the school-wide average. Check program-specific admission stats where available.

Q: Should I pick my major based on salary at Northwestern University?

Salary should be one factor, not the only one. Major choice impacts earnings (engineering and CS typically lead) but career fit, course interest, and graduation-rate within the major also matter. The salary table above shows the median pay by program at Northwestern University.

7.1%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Northwestern University Majors Overview: Salary, Courses & Career Outcomes

Every major at Northwestern University with graduate salary, course catalog depth, and career preparation data.

#	Major	US Rank	Northwestern University Salary	National Median	Premium	Degrees/Year	Courses
1	Computer Science	—	$116,250	$75,000	+55%	192	59
Featured Courses: MSDS 400: 0 Math for Modelers MSDS 401: 0 Applied Statistics with R MSDS 402: 0 Research Design for Data Science MSDS 403: DL Data Science and Digital Transformation MSDS 410: DL Supervised Learning Methods
2	Engineering	—	$111,600	$72,000	+55%	319	73
Featured Courses: IEMS 304: 0" class="bubblelink code" onclick="return showCourse STAT 320: 2" class="bubblelink code" onclick="return showCourse IEMS 307: 0 Quality Improvement by Experimental Design IEMS 308: 0 Data Science and Analytics IEMS 310: 0 Operations Research
3	Mathematics & Statistics	—	$96,100	$62,000	+55%	82	17
Featured Courses: MATH 100: CN Quantitative Reasoning MATH 101: CN Algebra MATH 113: CN Precalculus Mathematics MATH 202: CN Finite Mathematics MATH 211: CN Short Course in Calculus
4	Business	—	$85,250	$55,000	+55%	10	64
Featured Courses: MATH 101: CN" class="bubblelink code" onclick="return showCourse MKTG 310: CN Integrated Marketing Communications MKTG 320: CN Brand Management MKTG 350: CN Market Research MKTG 360: CN International Marketing
5	Health Professions	—	$80,600	$52,000	+55%	10	46
Featured Courses: HCA 401: DL The American Healthcare System: Patient, Payor, and Provider HCA 402: DL Clinical Thinking for Healthcare Administrators and Clinical Managers HCA 403: DL People Leadership and Change Management in Healthcare HCA 404: DL Financial Management in Healthcare Organizations HCA 405: DL Data-Driven Healthcare Management: Why Data Matters
6	Physical Sciences	—	$74,400	$48,000	+55%	38	14
Featured Courses: ASTRON 101: CN Modern Cosmology ASTRON 120: CN Highlights of Astronomy CHEM 110: CN Quantitative Problem Solving in Chemistry CHEM 141: CN" class="bubblelink code" onclick="return showCourse CHEM 201: CN Chemistry of Nature and Culture
7	Social Sciences	—	$69,750	$45,000	+55%	399	77
Featured Courses: ANTHRO 105: CN The Evolution of Social Behavior ANTHRO 211: CN Culture and Society ANTHRO 213: CN Human Origins ANTHRO 214: CN Archaeology: Unearthing History ANTHRO 215: CN The Study of Culture Through Language
8	Legal Professions	—	$69,750	$45,000	+55%	7	61
Featured Courses: BUSCOM 901: 0" class="bubblelink code" onclick="return showCourse
9	Biological Sciences	—	$65,100	$42,000	+55%	222	61
Featured Courses: IBIS 401: 0 Molecular Biophysics IBIS 402: 0 Molecular Biology of Human Disease IBIS 404: 0 Principles and Methods in Systems Biology IBIS 406: 0 Advanced Topics in Cell Biology IBIS 407: 0 Genetics & Epigenetics
10	Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies	—	$65,100	$42,000	+55%	15	13
Featured Courses: IPLS 401: 0 Seminar in Liberal Studies I IPLS 402: 0 Seminar in Liberal Studies II IPLS 403: 0 Seminar in Liberal Studies III IPLS 405: 0 Topics in Liberal Studies IPLS 492: 0 Special Topics
11	Communication & Journalism	—	$62,000	$40,000	+55%	329	86
Featured Courses: ADVT 311: CN Advertising: Creative ADVT 312: CN Advertising: Intermediate Creative ADVT 313: CN Advertising: Advanced Creative ADVT 380: CN Visual Communication ADVT 390: CN Topics in Advertising:
12	Natural Resources & Conservation	—	$62,000	$40,000	+55%	20	7
Featured Courses: ISEN 410: 0 Topics in Contemporary Energy and Climate Change EARTH 342: 0; may not receive credit for both courses ISEN 420: 0 NUvention: Energy ENTREP 474: 0" class="bubblelink code" onclick="return showCourse ISEN 490: 1 Modern Techniques in Heterogeneous Catalysis Research
13	History	—	$62,000	$40,000	+55%	20	1
Featured Courses: CHSS 484: 0 Comparative Historical Workshop
14	Public Administration & Social Services	—	$58,900	$38,000	+55%	116	24
Featured Courses: MPPA 401: 0 Research Methods MPPA 402: 0 Elements of Public Finance and Budgeting MPPA 404: 0 Microeconomics for Public Policy Administration MPPA 405: 0 Statistics for Research MPPA 406: 0 Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis
15	Philosophy & Religious Studies	—	$58,900	$38,000	+55%	24	14
Featured Courses: PHIL 150: CN Elementary Logic PHIL 240: CN Freedom and Responsibility PHIL 262: PP Ethical Problems and Public Issues PHIL 264: DL Professional Ethics PHIL 268: CN Ethics and the Environment
16	Foreign Languages & Linguistics	—	$58,900	$38,000	+55%	23	57
Featured Courses: FRENCH 111: A Elementary French FRENCH 101: A, <a href="/search/?P=FRENCH%20111-B" title="FRENCH 111-B" class="bubblelink code" onclick="return showCourse FRENCH 121: A Intermediate French ARABIC 410: 0 Advanced Study GERMAN 324: 0 Modern German Drama
17	Area/Ethnic/Cultural Studies	—	$58,900	$38,000	+55%	12	6
Featured Courses: AFST 390: CN Topics in African Studies MENA 410: 0 Pro-Seminar in Middle East and North African Studies MENA 411: 0 Approaches and Perspectives in MENA Studies MENA 412: 1 MENA Graduate Colloquium MENA 415: 0 MENA Graduate Colloquium Advanced
18	Education	—	$58,900	$38,000	+55%	5	27
Featured Courses: SESP 114: 0 Summer Internship SESP 115: 0 Internship SESP 116: 0 Finding Your Path SESP 195: 1 Civic Engagement 1- Participatory Policymaking SESP 200: 0 Understanding Knowledge
19	Psychology	—	$55,800	$36,000	+55%	152	35
Featured Courses: PSYCH 201: CN Statistical Methods in Psychology PSYCH 202: CN Statistical Methods in Psych PSYCH 213: CN Social Psychology PSYCH 215: CN Psychology of Personality PSYCH 218: CN Developmental Psychology
20	English Language & Literature	—	$55,800	$36,000	+55%	24	40
Featured Courses: MCW 411: 0 Poetry Workshop MCW 413: 0 Fiction Workshop MCW 417: 0 Popular Fiction Workshop MCW 461: 0 Creative Non-Fiction Workshop MCW 479: 0 Poetry for Prose Writers
21	Family & Consumer Sciences	—	$54,250	$35,000	+55%	19	52
Featured Courses: HDSP 401: 0 Proseminar in Human Development and Social Policy I HDSP 402: 0 Child Development and Social Policy HDSP 403: 0 Adolescent Development HDSP 406: 0 Diversity Science in Psychology HDSP 407: 1 Culture and Development
22	Visual & Performing Arts	—	$52,700	$34,000	+55%	169	101
Featured Courses: MUSIC 111: 1" class="bubblelink code" onclick="return showCourse MUSIC 214: 0" class="bubblelink code" onclick="return showCourse ART 125: CN Basic Drawing ART 390: CN Special Topics in Art RTVF 190: CN Media Construction

Career Path Match at Northwestern University 🎖️ DeepColleges Exclusive

How many courses at Northwestern University align with each career direction. More relevant courses mean better preparation for your target career.

Pre-Med / Clinical Medicine 43

ANTHRO 315: CN Medical Anthropology CSD 301: DL Anatomy and Physiology of the Vocal Mechanism ECON 307: CN Economics of Medical Care PSYCH 303: CN Psychopathology PSYCH 306: CN Introduction to Clinical Psychology

Mental Health & Clinical Psychology 30

PSYCH 306: CN Introduction to Clinical Psychology COUN 406: 0 Research Methods in Counseling COUN 411: 0 Psychodynamic Counseling: Individuals and Systems COUN 412: 0 Group Counseling Theory and Practice COUN 415: 0 Psychopathology and Diagnosis in Counseling

Management Consulting & Strategy 28

CIS 350: DL Information Technology Strategy HCA 403: DL People Leadership and Change Management in Healthcare HCA 411: DL Leadership Development and Organizational Behavior HCA 430: DL Defining Value in a Healthcare Market: Strategic Planning and Marketing MSA 403: 0 Sports Organizations: Leadership Theory & Application

Marketing & Brand Strategy 25

ADVT 311: CN Advertising: Creative ADVT 312: CN Advertising: Intermediate Creative ADVT 313: CN Advertising: Advanced Creative ADVT 370: CN Introduction to Public Relations ADVT 390: CN Topics in Advertising:

Data Science & Analytics 23

CIS 317: CN Database Systems Design & Implementation CIS 323: CN Python for Data Science CIS 324: CN Applied Data Science CIS 325: CN Enterprise Data Science CIS 326: CN Data Engineering

Linguistics & Translation 22

CSD 305: DL Phonetics SOCIOL 303: DL Analysis and Interpretation of Social Data DGP 422: 0 Introduction to Translational Research LING 300: 0 Topics in Linguistics LING 312: 0 Experimental Sociolinguistics

Journalism & Media 20

MSA 458: DL Digital Media in Sports IMC 304: 0 Digital Media Strategies JOUR 304: 0 Global Journalism History JOUR 317: 0 Journalism Research Methods JOUR 320: 0 Storytelling: Interactive News

Sociology & Anthropology 20

ANTHRO 315: CN Medical Anthropology ANTHRO 316: CN Forensic Anthropology ANTHRO 341: CN Economic Anthropology ANTHRO 350: CN Anthropology of Religion ANTHRO 383: CN Environmental Anthropology

Public Policy & Government 19

ECON 350: CN Monopoly, Competition and Public Policy ECON 355: CN Transportation Economics and Public Policy MSDS 485: 0 Data Governance, Ethics, and Law MPPA 403: 0 Fundamentals of Public Administration MPPA 404: 0 Microeconomics for Public Policy Administration

Neuroscience & Brain Research 15

PSYCH 221: CN Introduction to Neuroscience PSYCH 328: PP Brain Damage and the Mind PSYCH 330: CN Special Topics in Cognition/Neuroscience DGP 436: 1 Drugs and the Brain IEMS 344: 0 Whole-Brain Leadership

Public Health & Epidemiology 13

MSGH 405: DL Foundations of Global Health and Global Burden of Disease MSGH 408: DL Biostatistics and Epidemiology MSGH 417: DL Global Health Systems MSGH 421: DL Global Health, Globalization, and Public Policy MSGH 450: DL Sustainability of Global Health Initiatives

Film & Video Production 12

RTVF 260: CN Foundations of Screenwriting RTVF 312: CN History of Film RTVF 321: CN Radio/Television/Film Authorship RTVF 325: CN Film, Media & Gender RTVF 360: CN Topics in Screenwriting

AI / Machine Learning 10

CIS 360: DL AI with Deep Learning CIS 361: DL Natural Language Processing AI MSDS 453: DL Natural Language Processing MSDS 458: DL Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning MSDS 462: DL Computer Vision

Software Engineering 10

CIS 110: CN Introduction to Computer Programming CIS 212: CN Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming CIS 314: CN Intermediate Programming CIS 317: CN Database Systems Design & Implementation CIS 385: CN Programming for the Web

Entrepreneurship & Startups 10

MSA 445: 0 Entrepreneurship in the Sports Industry MSDS 470: DL Technology Entrepreneurship ENTREP 325: 0 Engineering Entrepreneurship ENTREP 340: 0 Innovation for Impact ENTREP 470: 0 NUvention: Medical Innovation

Psychology Research (Non-Clinical) 10

PSYCH 213: CN Social Psychology PSYCH 218: CN Developmental Psychology PSYCH 228: CN Cognitive Psychology PSYCH 244: CN Developmental Psychology PSYCH 324: CN Perception

Nonprofit & Social Impact 9

MSGH 427: DL Grant Writing, Development, and Fundraising HDSP 401: 0 Proseminar in Human Development and Social Policy I HDSP 402: 0 Child Development and Social Policy HDSP 430: 0 Economics of Social Policy HDSP 433: 0 Modern Theories of the State and Social Policy

Education & Teaching 9

MSHA 405: DL Data Literacy and Analytics in Healthcare COUN 423: 0 Assessment in Counseling- 2 COUN 426: 0 Assessment in Counseling COUN 430: 0 Vocational Assessment in Counseling COUN 484: 1 Individual Diagnosis and Assessment

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology 8

MHI 403: DL Fundamentals of Health Informatics DGP 486: 0 Advance Bioinformatics and Genome Informatics HBMI 499: 0 Health and Biomedical Informatics HSIP 441: 0 Health and Biomedical Informatics Methods I HSIP 442: 0 Health Biomedical Informatics Methods II

Biotechnology & Genetics 8

DGP 430: 0 Genetics DGP 432: 1 Chromatin & Epigenetics DGP 450: 0 Tumor Cell Biology IBIS 402: 0 Molecular Biology of Human Disease IBIS 406: 0 Advanced Topics in Cell Biology

Economics & Economic Research 8

ECON 203: CN Introduction to Microeconomics ECON 281: CN Introduction to Applied Econometrics ECON 330: CN Behavioral Economics ECON 339: CN Labor Economics MPPA 404: 0 Microeconomics for Public Policy Administration

Architecture & Spatial Design 7

MCW 495: 0 Interdisciplinary Writing Studio RTVF 190: CN Media Construction DSGN 401: 1 Human-Centered Design Studio 1 PIANO 390: 0 Studio Class JOUR 342: 1 Knight Lab: Studio

Game Development & Design 6

RTVF 376: PP Topics in Interactive Media MSDS 454: DL Applied Probability and Simulation Modeling IEMS 317: 0 Discrete Event Systems Simulation IEMS 435: 0 Stochastic Simulation IEMS 446: 0 Game Theory and Networked Systems

Investment Banking & Finance 6

ECON 308: CN Money and Banking ECON 360: CN Foundations of Corporate Finance Theory MPPA 406: 0 Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis COUN 453: 0 Evaluation and Treatment of Trauma COUN 454: 0 Evaluation and Treatment of Trauma - 2

Supply Chain & Logistics 6

ECON 355: CN Transportation Economics and Public Policy IEMS 310: 0 Operations Research IEMS 381: 0 Supply Chain Modeling and Analysis IEMS 481: 0 Logistics IEMS 484: 0 Inventory and Distribution Systems

Sports Analytics & Management 6

MSA 401: 0 Introduction to Sports Analytics MSA 402: 0 Fundamentals of Sports Marketing MSA 405: 0 Legal and Ethical Issues in Sports Management MSA 453: 0 College Sports Management - Internal Affairs MSA 454: 0 College Sports Management - External Affairs

Accounting & Audit 5

MSA 404: 0 Sports Business: Finance, Accounting and Economics MSDS 474: DL Accounting and Finance for Technology Managers ACCT 530: 0 Special Topics in Empirical Accounting Research ACCT 540: 1 Empirical Research in Accounting I ACCT 550: 1 Research in Accounting Theory I

Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering 4

CHEM 242: CN Thermodynamics MPPA 407: 0 Scope and Dynamics of Public Policy LING 480: 0 American Academic Culture for Non-Native speakers of English HDC 309: 0 Team Dynamics

Pharmacy & Drug Development 4

COUN 455: 0 Introduction to Psychopharmacology DGP 420: 0 Introduction to Pharmacology DGP 425: 0 Topics in Drug Discovery MSCI 335: 0 Clinical Trials

Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation 4

CSD 319: DL Aural Rehabilitation NUIN 441: 0 Biophysical Signal Processing for Movement & Rehabilitation Sciences NUIN 442: 0 Issues in Movement & Rehabilitation Science NUIN 480: 0 Circuits and Systems of Motor Control

Music Industry & Production 4

HCA 413: DL Healthcare Organizations: Operations and Performance Improvement MSDS 456: DL Sports Performance Analytics DSGN 440: 0 Performance and Technology: Composition Workshop JOUR 379: 0 Storytelling: Mastering the Data Narrative

Digital Health & Telemedicine 4

MSHA 403: DL Introduction to American Healthcare, Digital Health, and Analytics MHI 403: DL Fundamentals of Health Informatics MHI 413: DL Consumer Digital Health ENTREP 425: 0 Consulting for Wearable Technology

FinTech & Blockchain 3

MSDS 451: DL Financial Engineering IEMS 373: 0 Intro to Financial Engineering IEMS 473: 1 Financial Engineering I

Actuarial Science & Insurance 3

MSDS 454: DL Applied Probability and Simulation Modeling HDSP 410: 0 Quantitative Methods I: Probability and Statistics IEMS 460: 1 Stochastic Processes I

Graphic & Visual Design 3

ADVT 380: CN Visual Communication IMC 313: 0 Visual Communication IMC 314: 0 Branding in the Digital World

Electrical & Hardware Engineering 2

NUIN 441: 0 Biophysical Signal Processing for Movement & Rehabilitation Sciences NUIN 480: 0 Circuits and Systems of Motor Control

Environmental Engineering 2

MSGH 450: DL Sustainability of Global Health Initiatives ISEN 495: 0 Special Topics in Energy and Sustainability

International Relations & Diplomacy 2

ECON 361: CN International Trade IEMS 345: 0 Negotiations and Conflict Resolution for Engineers

Mathematics & Pure Research 2

MATH 250: CN Elementary Differential Equations DSGN 376: 0 Leonardo, Geometry, and the Art of Manufacturing

Cybersecurity 1

CIS 345: CN Information Security

Robotics & Autonomous Systems 1

MSDS 464: DL Intelligent Systems and Robotics

UX / Product Design 1

CIS 380: CN Information Architecture

Cloud Computing & DevOps 1

MSDS 434: DL Data Science and Cloud Computing

Clean Energy & Sustainability Engineering 1

IEMS 486: 0 Introduction to Smart Grid Systems

Chemical & Materials Engineering 1

ISEN 490: 1 Modern Techniques in Heterogeneous Catalysis Research

Pre-Law / Legal Studies 1

DSGN 350: 0 Intellectual Property and Innovation

Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Research 1

CHEM 215: A Organic Chemistry I

Physics & Astrophysics 1

ASTRON 101: CN Modern Cosmology

Climate & Earth Science 1

ISEN 410: 0 Topics in Contemporary Energy and Climate Change

Food Science & AgTech 1

MSGH 452: DL Global Nutrition: Science, Policy, and Perspectives

Highest & Lowest ROI Majors at Northwestern University

Highest-Earning Majors

Computer Science

$116,250/yr

Engineering

$111,600/yr

Mathematics & Statistics

$96,100/yr

Lowest-Earning Majors

Visual & Performing Arts

$52,700/yr

Family & Consumer Sciences

$54,250/yr

English Language & Literature

$55,800/yr

Popular Majors at Northwestern University

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Social Sciences

20.3%

Communication

11.3%

Engineering

11.0%

Psychology

8.6%

Biological Sciences

8.5%

Best Majors at Northwestern University →

Northwestern University Majors FAQs

What are the most popular majors at Northwestern University?

Northwestern University's most popular majors by share of degrees awarded are: Social Sciences (20.3%), Communication (11.3%), Engineering (11.0%). The full ranking by graduate salary is in the table above.

Which major at Northwestern University pays the most?

The highest-earning major at Northwestern University is Computer Science, with a median 4-year-out salary of $116,250 — well above the school-wide median of $89,363.

Are some majors at Northwestern University harder to get into than others?

Yes. Northwestern University's overall acceptance rate is 7.1%, but selective programs (computer science, business, engineering, nursing) often admit at lower rates than the school-wide average. Check program-specific admission stats where available.

Should I pick my major based on salary at Northwestern University?

Salary should be one factor, not the only one. Major choice impacts earnings (engineering and CS typically lead) but career fit, course interest, and graduation-rate within the major also matter. The salary table above shows the median pay by program at Northwestern University.