Five-Year First-Year Enrollment Overview

The below is an overview of first-year student enrollment demographics. Note that our reporting method tracks students who identify as multiple races/ethnicities, so the numbers in those categories will exceed 100%. Non-reporters and international students are excluded from other race/ethnicity categories.

	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Class Size	1,901	2,086	2,038	2,111	2,105
American Indian or Alaska Native	2%	2%	2%	2%	2%
Asian	27%	25%	28%	29%	26%
Black or African American	10%	12%	13%	14%	15%
Hispanic or Latino	15%	17%	15%	17%	18%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%
White	54%	53%	51%	48%	44%
International	9%	10%	10%	10%	13%
Not Reported	4%	4%	3%	3%	5%
First Generation	13%	15%	15%	15%	16%
Pell Awarded	20%	21%	22%	20%	22%
Male	46%	44%	45%	46%	46%
Female	54%	56%	55%	54%	54%
Other	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%

Note: data is rounded to the nearest whole number

The table below reflects first-year enrollment demographics using IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) reporting methodology. Per IPEDS race and ethnicity reporting rules, individuals who self-report as Hispanic only, or Hispanic and any other race category, are reported as Hispanic. Individuals who select two or more races are reported as "Two or more races." All other individuals are reported in a single race/ethnicity category. 

	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Class Size	1,901	2,086	2,038	2,111	2,105
American Indian or Alaska Native	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%
Asian	22%	19%	21%	23%	20%
Black or African American	6%	7%	8%	9%	11%
Hispanic or Latino	15%	17%	15%	17%	18%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%	<1%
White	38%	35%	33%	29%	25%
Two or more races	6%	8%	8%	9%	8%
Race and ethnicity unknown	4%	4%	3%	3%	5%
International	9%	10%	10%	10%	13%

Note: data is rounded to the nearest whole number

The data below reflect enrollment numbers at the time of incoming first-year students' arrival on campus in the fall. Given Northwestern's flexible curriculum and focus on interdisciplinary studies, it is not uncommon for students to switch between schools throughout their undergraduate careers. 

	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Class Size	1,901	2,086	2,038	2,111	2,105
WCAS	975	1,067	1,057	1,087	1,094
MEAS	447	462	453	503	500
SoC	170	215	202	194	195
Medill	150	175	179	181	161
Bienen	112	103	96	106	114
SESP	47	64	51	40	41