If you are a parent living in Chicago and considering your children's education, you may have heard of this university.

Northwestern University. Its official address is in Evanston, Illinois, but it is located just 12 miles north of downtown Chicago, effectively connecting it to the Chicago metropolitan area. It is one of the prestigious private universities recognized as being on par with the Ivy League in the United States.

Founded in 1851, Northwestern University operates two campuses: the Evanston campus, which is situated by Lake Michigan, and the Chicago campus in Streeterville.

The main campus in Evanston is a beautiful university campus surrounded by the natural environment of Lake Michigan, offering stunning views. The Chicago campus houses the medical school, law school, and business school (Kellogg School of Management).

Admission competition is at the highest level in the United States. The recent undergraduate acceptance rate is around 7%, attracting excellent students from across the country. Because they evaluate not only SAT and ACT scores but also high school grades, essays, and extracurricular activities, it is not easy to gain admission based solely on high test scores.

Northwestern offers top-level programs in various fields. The Kellogg School of Management is considered one of the best MBA programs in the country, while the Medill School of Journalism boasts an overwhelming reputation in journalism education.

The medical school is also among the top medical schools in the U.S., with the Feinberg School of Medicine directly linked to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, one of Chicago's largest healthcare systems.

Undergraduate programs cover a wide range of disciplines, including arts, humanities, social sciences, engineering, and natural sciences, and they also offer some of the best programs in theater and music in the country.

In particular, graduates from Northwestern's theater department are actively working in Hollywood and Broadway. It is one of the best choices for students aiming for careers in journalism, law, medicine, and business. The admission competition is very fierce, with top students from across the U.S. applying to this school.

Evanston is a suburban city right next to Chicago, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach downtown Chicago using the CTA Purple Line and Red Line. It is common for Northwestern students to travel to downtown Chicago on weekends, and for Chicago workers to commute to Evanston.

It is also important to be aware of tuition costs. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the undergraduate tuition is approximately $70,000, and when including dormitory, meal, insurance, and textbook costs, the total annual educational expenses are realistically expected to be around $95,000 to $100,000.

While the amount may seem burdensome, Northwestern is recognized as one of the universities in the U.S. with good financial aid. Depending on the family's income level, students can receive scholarships and grants, so the actual financial burden can vary significantly from student to student.

There is also a strong network of Korean alumni. You can find Northwestern graduates in various fields, including executives and researchers at major Korean companies like Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motor, LG, and SK, as well as journalists, professors, doctors, and lawyers.

In particular, the Medill School of Journalism and the Kellogg School of Management have a very high recognition in Korea and have formed an active alumni network. The Korean community in Chicago and alumni gatherings are consistently organized, providing a good environment for international students to maintain connections after graduation.

Northwestern University is not just a school chosen for its prestigious name; it is a university where you can expect a strong alumni network that continues after graduation, along with an excellent level of education.

Therefore, it is consistently ranked as one of the most preferred universities for Korean students aiming for prestigious schools in the U.S.