Is Northwestern University a Catholic college?

No. Northwestern University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Sheil Catholic Center.

Where is Mass celebrated at Northwestern University?

Mass is listed at Sheil's Evanston chapel, Religious Life Center, Abbott Hall, 710 N. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. and Chicago (Chicago campus). Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

Is Northwestern University Compass Recommended?

Yes. Northwestern University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

College · Catholic life on campus

Northwestern University

LocationEvanston, IL
Type and sizePrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 23,203 students

Official website Campus Ministry Honor Roll badge

Catholic Life Score

Catholic life 75%Academics 25%

ACatholic life
96 of 100

AAcademics
100 of 100

Verified Oct. 12, 2026 · How the score works

Campus Ministry Honor RollCompass RecommendedWhat the badges mean

Northwestern University is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

Northwestern's Roman Catholic campus ministry is the Sheil Catholic Center, at 2110 Sheridan Road in Evanston, adjacent to the Evanston campus, with a second site on the Chicago campus. Fr. Bradley Zamora is listed as chaplain and director. The center publishes Monday-through-Friday and Sunday Masses at its Evanston chapel, scheduled confession, adoration, a student association, small groups, retreats, and mission trips.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 5

Monday–Friday5:00 PMSheil's Evanston chapel · During the academic year.
Sunday9:30 AMSheil's Evanston chapel · During the academic year; livestreamed.
Sunday11:00 AMSheil's Evanston chapel · During the academic year.
Sunday5:00 PMSheil's Evanston chapel · During the academic year.
Wednesday12:20 PMReligious Life Center, Abbott Hall, 710 N. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Chicago (Chicago campus) · During the academic year. Chicago campus site.

Confession 2

Tuesday, Thursday4:00 PM–4:45 PMSheil's Evanston chapel · When classes are in session.
Wednesday8:00 PM–9:00 PMSheil's Evanston chapel · During Harbor, when classes are in session.

Adoration 2

Monday8:00 PM–9:00 PMSheil's Evanston chapel · Adoration in Silence, fall term September 27 to December 7. Night Prayer at 8:50 PM; none in summer.
Wednesday8:00 PM–9:00 PMSheil's Evanston chapel · Part of Harbor; fall term dates Wednesdays, September 23 to December 9 (except the Wednesday before Thanksgiving).

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 12, 2026.

Sources for these times (3)

Mass | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Evanston Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel.”
Weekday Mass is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
“Evanston Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. (livestreamed here), 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel.”
Three Sunday Masses are published in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
“Evanston Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. (livestreamed here), 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel.”
Three Sunday Masses are published in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
“Evanston Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. (livestreamed here), 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel.”
Three Sunday Masses are published in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
“Chicago Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated on Wednesdays at 12:20 p.m. at the Religious Life Center in Abbott Hall, Mezzanine Level, located at 710 N. DuSable Lake Shore Dr., Chicago.”
A Wednesday Mass at 12:20 PM is published at the Chicago campus site.
Adoration and Harbor | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Every Monday from 8:00–9:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel, join us for Adoration in Silence”
Adoration in Silence is published Mondays, 8:00-9:00 PM, in the Evanston chapel.
“Every Wednesday from 8:00–9:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel, join us for Adoration with Praise & Worship and the Sacrament of Reconciliation available throughout the evening.”
Harbor includes adoration on Wednesdays, 8:00-9:00 PM, in the Evanston chapel.
Sacraments | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“reconciliation is available on the Evanston campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4:00 and 4:45 p.m., as well as during Harbor on Wednesdays between 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.”
Scheduled reconciliation is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesdays during Harbor, when classes are in session.
“reconciliation is available on the Evanston campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4:00 and 4:45 p.m., as well as during Harbor on Wednesdays between 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.”
Scheduled reconciliation is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesdays during Harbor, when classes are in session.

Catholic churches nearby

CampusCatholic centerCatholic church (numbered below)Open a street map ›

Sheil Catholic Center — 0.4 mi · 2110 Sheridan Road, Evanston
Saint Mary's Catholic Church — 0.6 mi · 1012 Lake Street, Evanston
Saint Athanasius Roman Catholic Church — 1.1 mi · 1615 Lincoln Street, Evanston
Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Church — 1.3 mi · 810 Ridge Avenue, Evanston
Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church — 2.0 mi · 524 9th Street, Wilmette
Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church — 2.1 mi · 3968 Lyons Street, Skokie

Within 3 miles, as mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors. The map may be incomplete. Confirm with the parish or diocese.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

Catholic life on campus

96 of 100 points on what we could document.

Yes:
Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes
Sources (2)
1. Campus Religious Centers | Religious & Spiritual Life, Northwestern Universitynorthwestern.edu/religious-life/find-a-community/campus-religious-centers.html · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University is the Roman Catholic Campus Ministry, on both the Evanston and Chicago campuses.”
  The university lists the Sheil Catholic Center as the Roman Catholic campus ministry on its Evanston and Chicago campuses.
2. Team | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/about/team · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fr. Bradley Zamora Chaplain & Director”
  Fr. Bradley Zamora is listed as Chaplain & Director of the Sheil Catholic Center.
Yes:
Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The Sheil Catholic Center is described by the university as adjacent to the Evanston campus, and it has its own chapel.)
Sources (2)
1. Campus Religious Centers | Religious & Spiritual Life, Northwestern Universitynorthwestern.edu/religious-life/find-a-community/campus-religious-centers.html · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Northwestern University is privileged to have a rich spiritual community adjacent to the Evanston campus dedicated to serving Northwestern students, faculty, and staff.”
  The campus religious centers, including Sheil, are adjacent to the Evanston campus.
2. Contact Us | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/about/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “2110 Sheridan Rd. Evanston, IL 60201”
  The Evanston campus of the Sheil Catholic Center is at 2110 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60201.
Yes:
Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryFull-time priest chaplain (The team page presents Fr. Bradley Zamora as Chaplain & Director.)
Sources (1)
1. Team | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/about/team · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fr. Bradley Zamora Chaplain & Director”
  Fr. Bradley Zamora is listed as Chaplain & Director of the Sheil Catholic Center.
Yes:
Weekday Mass at the campus ministryEvery weekday (5 or more weekdays) (Mass is listed Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.)
Sources (1)
1. Mass | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Evanston Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel.”
  Weekday Mass is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
Yes:
Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelTwo or more weekend Masses (Three Sunday Masses are listed in the Evanston chapel: 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.)
Sources (1)
1. Mass | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Evanston Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. (livestreamed here), 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel.”
  Three Sunday Masses are published in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
Yes:
Scheduled confession at the campus ministryWeekly or more often (Scheduled reconciliation on Tuesdays and Thursdays (4:00-4:45 p.m.) and Wednesday evenings during Harbor, when classes are in session.)
Sources (1)
1. Sacraments | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “reconciliation is available on the Evanston campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4:00 and 4:45 p.m., as well as during Harbor on Wednesdays between 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.”
  Scheduled reconciliation is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesdays during Harbor, when classes are in session.
Yes:
Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (Two groups are listed for undergraduates and open-to-all participation: the Catholic Students Association (CaSA) and the Bible Reflections Group. Catholics at Kellogg and the Catholic Medical Association (Feinberg) were not counted because they are limited to professional schools.)
Sources (2)
1. Catholic Students Association (CaSA) | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/connect/catholic-students-association-casa · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Catholic Students Association (CaSA) is an oasis and home for all undergraduate students”
  The Catholic Students Association is a group for undergraduate students at Sheil.
  “join CaSA during the academic year on most Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston.”
  CaSA gathers on most Thursdays at 8:00 PM at Sheil in Evanston during the academic year.
2. Small Groups | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/learn/smallgroups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Bible Reflections Group (open to all)”
  The Bible Reflections Group is a small group open to all.
  “Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., September 10-December 10, Christ the Teacher Classroom, Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston”
  The Bible Reflections Group meets Thursdays 4:00-5:00 PM, September 10 to December 10, at Sheil in Evanston.
Yes:
Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Kinds listed: retreats, OCIA (Christian initiation), service (mission trips and volunteering), and small groups (Bible Reflections Group).)
Sources (4)
1. Retreats | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/learn/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fiat Retreat, Fall Undergraduate Retreat | November 20-22, 2026”
  Sheil lists an undergraduate fall retreat, November 20-22, 2026, among its retreats.
2. Interested in Catholicism? / OCIA | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/learn/interested-in-catholicism-ocia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Christian Initiation, also known as The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, offers the opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith”
  Sheil offers the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.
3. Mission Trips | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/serve/mission-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sheil Catholic Center Mission Trips are a great opportunity to put your faith into action by serving people around the world.”
  Sheil runs mission trips for students.
4. Small Groups | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/learn/smallgroups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Bible Reflections Group (open to all)”
  The Bible Reflections Group is a small group open to all.
Yes:
Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)Within 1 mile of campusComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
Partly:
Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration12 to 19 times a week (14 weekly times documented: 9 Mass, 3 confession, 2 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

Mass is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 PM and three times on Sunday in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
Sources (1)
1. Mass | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Evanston Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel.”
  Weekday Mass is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
  “Evanston Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. (livestreamed here), 11:00 a.m., and 5:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel.”
  Three Sunday Masses are published in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
Scheduled reconciliation is published on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on Wednesdays during Harbor.
Sources (1)
1. Sacraments | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/sacraments · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “reconciliation is available on the Evanston campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 4:00 and 4:45 p.m., as well as during Harbor on Wednesdays between 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.”
  Scheduled reconciliation is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesdays during Harbor, when classes are in session.
The Sheil team page names Fr. Bradley Zamora as Chaplain & Director.
Sources (1)
1. Team | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/about/team · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fr. Bradley Zamora Chaplain & Director”
  Fr. Bradley Zamora is listed as Chaplain & Director of the Sheil Catholic Center.
Students can join a student association, a Bible study, retreats, OCIA and mission trips through the center.
Sources (5)
1. Catholic Students Association (CaSA) | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/connect/catholic-students-association-casa · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “The Catholic Students Association (CaSA) is an oasis and home for all undergraduate students”
  The Catholic Students Association is a group for undergraduate students at Sheil.
2. Small Groups | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/learn/smallgroups · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Bible Reflections Group (open to all)”
  The Bible Reflections Group is a small group open to all.
3. Retreats | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/learn/retreats · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Fiat Retreat, Fall Undergraduate Retreat | November 20-22, 2026”
  Sheil lists an undergraduate fall retreat, November 20-22, 2026, among its retreats.
4. Interested in Catholicism? / OCIA | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/learn/interested-in-catholicism-ocia · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Christian Initiation, also known as The Order of Christian Initiation for Adults, offers the opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith”
  Sheil offers the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults.
5. Mission Trips | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/serve/mission-trips · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Sheil Catholic Center Mission Trips are a great opportunity to put your faith into action by serving people around the world.”
  Sheil runs mission trips for students.

Concerns

Several schedules are published only for the academic year or fall term, and adoration is not offered during summer.
Sources (2)
1. Mass | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/mass · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “Evanston Campus: During the academic year, Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in Sheil's Evanston chapel.”
  Weekday Mass is published Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the Evanston chapel during the academic year.
2. Adoration and Harbor | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/worship/adoration · verified Oct. 12, 2026
  “There is no Adoration during the summer. Fall term dates: Mondays, September 27-December 7.”
  Monday adoration runs in the fall term, September 27 to December 7, and not during summer.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Sheil Catholic Center (Evanston Campus)

Address: 2110 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60201
Location: Next to campus
Distance from campus: 0.4 mi (straight line from the campus point in federal IPEDS data)
Facilities: chapel, Mary Prayer Garden, library, commons and snack table, Newman Student Lounge, Kincaid Corcoran Cafe, Christ the Teacher Classroom

View on map ↗

Source: northwestern.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, northwestern.edu, verified Oct. 12, 2026, sheilcatholiccenter.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026, sheilcatholiccenter.org, verified Oct. 12, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

14 groups and regular activities · 0 on campus, 11 off campus, 3 location not published

Faith formation 5

Bible Reflections GroupOff campus
Thursdays 4:00-5:00 PM, September 10 to December 10
Open-to-all Bible study group at the Christ the Teacher Classroom, Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston.
sheilcatholiccenter.org, sheilcatholiccenter.org
The Catholic Lens (core seminar)Off campus
Tuesdays 6:15-7:45 PM, September 29 to November 3
Open-to-all seminar introducing Catholic theology through the Creed, in the Christ the Teacher Classroom.
sheilcatholiccenter.org
Community and Conversation (Catholic social teaching)Off campus
Mondays 6:00-7:15 PM, October 5 to November 16, 2026
Conversation series on Catholic social teaching in the lower-level cafe at Sheil in Evanston.
sheilcatholiccenter.org
Catholic Scholars Program
Two-year program for Catholic undergraduates with a stipend. The deadline for 2026-2027 has passed.
sheilcatholiccenter.org
OCIA (Christian Initiation for Adults)
Small-group program for adults who are not baptized, baptized in another Christian faith, or baptized Catholic without further sacraments. Adult confirmation classes are offered each spring.
sheilcatholiccenter.org, sheilcatholiccenter.org

Clubs and groups 1

Catholic Students Association (CaSA)Off campus
Most Thursdays at 8:00 PM during the academic year
Group for all undergraduate students, meeting in the lower level of the Sheil Catholic Center in Evanston, which the university describes as adjacent to campus.
sheilcatholiccenter.org, sheilcatholiccenter.org

Liturgy and prayer 1

Harbor (midweek worship)Off campus
Wednesdays 8:00-9:00 PM, fall term
Midweek adoration with praise and worship, reconciliation, intercessory prayer and fellowship in the Evanston chapel.
sheilcatholiccenter.org, sheilcatholiccenter.org

Service 3

Mission tripsOff campus
Tucson, December 13-19, 2026; Detroit, January 15-18, 2027
Student mission trips that include service and Catholic social teaching; campus ministers accompany students.
sheilcatholiccenter.org, sheilcatholiccenter.org
Madonna Mission volunteeringOff campus
Monday afternoons during the fall term (for example, October 5 and October 19, 2026)
After-school volunteering for refugee children in Chicago, with transportation from Sheil.
sheilcatholiccenter.org
Our Daily BreadOff campus
After the 5:00 PM Mass on Mondays, September 28 to November 30, 2026
Students and associates pack snack packages in the lower level kitchen at Sheil for delivery to neighbors in need.
sheilcatholiccenter.org

Social life 3

CaSA Sunday Night Dinner and Oasis ThursdaysOff campus
Sunday dinners and Thursday gatherings (for example, Sunday, September 27, 6:00 PM)
CaSA social dinners and Oasis Thursday gatherings with spirituality, service and fellowship themes.
sheilcatholiccenter.org, sheilcatholiccenter.org
Cheap LunchOff campus
Wednesdays at 12:00 noon, September 30 to November 18, 2026
Open lunch for students, faculty, staff and the wider community at Sheil in Evanston.
sheilcatholiccenter.org
Hospitality SundayOff campus
About once a month during the term, after Mass
Refreshments and fellowship after Mass at Sheil in Evanston.
sheilcatholiccenter.org

Retreats 1

Retreats (fall undergraduate, busy student, and others)
Fiat Retreat November 20-22, 2026; Busy Student Retreat January 31-February 4, 2027; Encounter Retreat May 7-9, 2027
Annual retreats for students. The busy student retreat is open to all students at no cost.
sheilcatholiccenter.org, sheilcatholiccenter.org

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sheil Catholic Center

Sources (4)

Campus Religious Centers | Religious & Spiritual Life, Northwestern Universitynorthwestern.edu/religious-life/find-a-community/campus-religious-centers.html · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“The Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University is the Roman Catholic Campus Ministry, on both the Evanston and Chicago campuses.”
The university lists the Sheil Catholic Center as the Roman Catholic campus ministry on its Evanston and Chicago campuses.
“The Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University is the Roman Catholic Campus Ministry, on both the Evanston and Chicago campuses.”
The university lists the Sheil Catholic Center as the Roman Catholic campus ministry on its Evanston and Chicago campuses.
“Northwestern University is privileged to have a rich spiritual community adjacent to the Evanston campus dedicated to serving Northwestern students, faculty, and staff.”
The campus religious centers, including Sheil, are adjacent to the Evanston campus.
Team | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/about/team · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Fr. Bradley Zamora Chaplain & Director”
Fr. Bradley Zamora is listed as Chaplain & Director of the Sheil Catholic Center.
Contact Us | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/about/contact-us · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“2110 Sheridan Rd. Evanston, IL 60201”
The Evanston campus of the Sheil Catholic Center is at 2110 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60201.
Tour Sheil's Spaces | Sheil Catholic Centersheilcatholiccenter.org/about/tour-sheils-spaces · verified Oct. 12, 2026
“Newman Student Lounge (lower level)”
The Evanston site includes a chapel, library, commons, a lower-level lounge and cafe, and a prayer garden.

Reach out

Contact details for Fr. Bradley Zamora (Chaplain & Director) and 3 official social and news channels are available to signed-in users.

We keep campus ministers’ emails behind sign-in to protect them from spam.

My rating and notes

Academic Excellence

100 of 100

From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

Graduation rate 35% of score95%
First-year retention 20% of score98%
Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreSAT 1,533 · ACT 34
Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of score6 to 1
Instructional spending per student 15% of score$48,932

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Value and outcomes
Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS)	9,157
Total students	23,203
Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid	$29,167
Cost of attendance (per year)	$91,250
Median federal debt at graduation	$15,000
Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time	95%
First-year retention	98%
Median earnings 10 years after entry	$89,363
Admission rate	8%
Students receiving Pell grants	19%

Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT	1533
SAT reading & writing	740–770
SAT math	770–800
ACT composite	33–35
Test policy	Considered but not required

Value index: 71 / 100 (how it’s computed)

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Archdiocese of Chicago

His Eminence Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago

Formal address: “Your Eminence”

Source: usccb.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

IPEDS unit ID 147767
Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (very high research)
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
Report an error or a newer source
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Questions families ask

Is Northwestern University a Catholic college?: No. Northwestern University is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Sheil Catholic Center.
What is Northwestern University’s Catholic Life Score?: 97 out of 100 (grade A). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at Northwestern University?: Mass is listed at Sheil's Evanston chapel, Religious Life Center, Abbott Hall, 710 N. DuSable Lake Shore Dr. and Chicago (Chicago campus). Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.
Is Northwestern University Compass Recommended?: Yes. Northwestern University meets the Compass Recommended standard for Catholic life on campus.

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