About Northwestern University. Northwestern University in Evanston, IL reports an overall acceptance rate of 7.0%, an early-round acceptance rate of 20.0%, an SAT middle 50% of 1510–1560, a class size of 2,100, and a yield of 58.0% based on the most recent Common Data Set filings. ED acceptance rate is ~3x overall rate. Strong for journalism (Medill) and performing arts.