Chicago skyline — Northwestern University's city
Top 10 US UniversityKellogg MBAEvanston + Chicago

Northwestern University for Indian Students

Evanston & Chicago, Illinois, USA

Northwestern University is one of the most prestigious private universities in the United States. Known for academic rigor, interdisciplinary flexibility, and outstanding career outcomes, Northwestern combines Ivy-level prestige with strong professional pathways.

Top 10

U.S. University

Kellogg

World-Leading MBA

Medill

#1 Journalism School

100+

Students Guided

Undergraduate Master's MBA (Kellogg)

Tuition & Costs

  • Undergraduate: $66,000–$70,000/year
  • Master's: $40,000–$70,000/year
  • MBA (Kellogg): $155,000–$170,000 total
  • Living: $1,600–$2,400/month
  • Study in USA | Cost Calculator

What Makes NU Different

  • Ivy-level selectivity + professional pipelines
  • Exceptional interdisciplinary flexibility
  • Evanston (residential) + Chicago (professional)
  • Combine: Engineering + Business, Journalism + Data Science
  • Academic prestige + career readiness

Career Power

  • McKinsey, BCG, Bain
  • Investment banking & finance
  • Major tech companies
  • Media & journalism leadership
  • OPT + STEM OPT (up to 3 years)

Program Pathways at Northwestern

Undergraduate Programs

Weinberg: Economics, Psychology, Social Sciences
McCormick: Top Engineering Programs
Medill: Globally Respected Journalism
Communication: Media & Performance

Admissions values: Intellectual curiosity, academic strength, initiative and leadership, and interdisciplinary thinking. Northwestern is extremely selective and holistic.

Master's Programs

Engineering & CS
Data Science & Analytics
Economics & Public Policy
Journalism & Media
Communication & Social Sciences

MBA — Kellogg School of Management

Kellogg is one of the world's top business schools with global reputation in consulting and leadership roles.

Global consulting pipeline (MBB)
Collaborative culture
Strong alumni network
Marketing & strategy leader

MBA Admissions Strategy

Northwestern Admission Requirements

Undergraduate

  • CBSE / ISC / IB / Cambridge accepted
  • Holistic: academics + extracurricular impact + essays
  • SAT/ACT optional but strong scores help
  • Emphasis on intellectual depth, initiative, personal fit

Master's

MBA (Kellogg)

  • GMAT/GRE required or recommended
  • Professional work experience expected
  • Kellogg values: leadership trajectory, teamwork, career clarity

Costs & Budget (International Students)

Undergraduate

$66,000–$70,000

per year

Annual budget: $86,000–$100,000

Planning: ~$90,000–$105,000/year

Master's

$40,000–$70,000

per year (varies by program)

Annual budget: $60,000–$100,000

MBA (Kellogg)

$155,000–$170,000

total program cost

Total budget: ~$180,000–$205,000

Chicago costs moderate vs. NYC/SF. Living: $1,600–$2,400/month ($20,000–$30,000/year).

Career Outcomes After Northwestern

Consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain)
Investment Banking & Finance
Major Tech Companies
Media & Journalism Leadership
Research & Policy Institutions
Corporate Strategy & Management

Our Students at Northwestern

K

Kavya Singh

Northwestern University

KGC helped me identify my unique story and present it effectively. Northwestern's interdisciplinary approach was exactly what I was looking for.

Read full story
A

Anand Krishnan

Kellogg MBA

Dr. Gupta's MBA expertise helped me get into Kellogg. The essay strategy and interview coaching were invaluable.

Read full story
Dr. Karan Gupta

Dr. Karan Gupta's Northwestern Admission Advice

Northwestern is often underestimated by Indian applicants because it lacks the loud brand visibility of some Ivy League schools. In reality:

  • Academic quality is elite — comparable to any Ivy League university
  • Career outcomes are exceptional — especially for consulting, media, and interdisciplinary careers
  • Kellogg and Medill are world leaders in their respective fields

For the right student, Northwestern can be as strong as many Ivy League choices, especially for consulting, media, or interdisciplinary careers.

Dr. Karan Gupta — Harvard alumnus, 27+ years, 160,000+ students guided. Book a consultation.

FAQs: Northwestern for Indian Students

Is Northwestern Ivy League?
No, but academically comparable to many Ivy League universities. Northwestern offers elite academics with stronger professional pipelines in consulting, media, and business.
Is Kellogg a top MBA?
Yes — among the world's leading MBA programs. MBA Strategy Guide.
Is SAT required?
Currently optional, but strong SAT/ACT scores help.
Is Chicago expensive?
Moderate compared to NYC or SF ($1,600–$2,400/month). Evanston offers a more affordable suburban alternative.
Do students get post-study work rights?
Yes — OPT (12 months) + STEM OPT extension (24 months) for eligible graduates. More about studying in the USA.

Want to Study at Northwestern?

Get expert guidance from Dr. Karan Gupta — Harvard alumnus, 100+ students guided to top U.S. universities, 27+ years of experience.

AI Assistant

Ask me anything about studying abroad!