Northwestern University has a lot of strong majors, which is great… until you actually have to choose one. Suddenly, it’s not just about what sounds interesting. It’s about what leads to real opportunities, which is why it helps to know the best majors at Northwestern.
This guide breaks down the most popular and most rewarding programs based on real outcomes: job offers, grad school admits, salary stats, and alumni who’ve actually made it. Whether you’re aiming for Wall Street, med school, Broadway, or something totally your own, this is your no-fluff breakdown of what’s worth studying and why.
- Economics
- Psychology
- Journalism (Medill School)
- Theatre
- Engineering (McCormick School)
- Pre-Med Science Majors
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
Economics
There’s a reason economics is the single most popular major at Northwestern. Actually, there are a few.
First, it’s useful. Economics gives you a powerful toolkit: a way to understand markets, policy, behavior, and how decisions get made. At Northwestern, it’s not taught as just theory.
You’re trained in modeling, statistics, and critical thinking from day one. You’ll go deep into micro and macroeconomics, sure, but also into electives like development economics, labor markets, or behavioral game theory.
Second, it opens doors. A lot of them. Northwestern econ grads are in high demand across industries, from finance to consulting to tech and public service. Here’s what that looks like in real life:
- 85% of economics grads are working full-time within six months of graduation.
- Median starting salary is $115,440 per year
- Top employers include McKinsey, Compass Lexecon, Cornerstone Research, Amazon, Uber.
If you want a major that gives you both rigor and flexibility, this one checks all the boxes. It’s academic and career-savvy, with serious payoff in the real world. That’s why it’s consistently ranked among the best majors at Northwestern, with a #8 national ranking from the U.S. News & World Report and #12 global ranking from the QS World University Rankings.
Psychology
Psychology at Northwestern is a lot more than intro lectures on Freud or personality quizzes. It’s one of the university’s top majors, not just in popularity, but in how well it prepares students for careers across research, healthcare, education, and tech.
Northwestern also has a strong claim to history here. In 1857, then-president Randolf S. Foster offered a course titled “Psychology,” which may have been the first in the country to use that title. Historian Thomas Cadwallader noted that this predated similar courses at Yale and Harvard by over a decade. It’s a fitting backstory for a department that’s remained at the forefront of the field ever since.
Today, the psychology program is ranked #8 in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report and #23 in the world by QS World University Rankings. The curriculum gives you a solid foundation in areas like cognitive psychology, brain and behavior, and social dynamics.
But what really makes the program stand out is how hands-on it gets. Undergrads regularly assist in research labs, design experiments, and present at national conferences, some even co-author academic publications before graduation.
You’re not locked into one path. A psych degree here is like a Swiss Army knife, packed with real, usable skills employers value: data analysis, research methods, writing, and a deeper understanding of human behavior.
One standout alum of Northwestern’s psychology program is Dr. Linda A. Teplin, PhD, now a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Feinberg School of Medicine. She’s widely known for her groundbreaking research on mental health and the criminal justice system, particularly among incarcerated youth.
Their psychology program is one of the best majors at Northwestern for students who are intellectually curious and people-oriented, especially if you want to combine science with real-world impact.
Journalism (Medill School)
Ask anyone in media, and they’ll tell you Medill is the real deal. It’s long been recognized as one of the top journalism programs in the country, and their journalism program currently holds a #23 global ranking according to QS World University Rankings.
What sets it apart is that it’s housed within Northwestern University, a top-tier institution currently ranked #6 in the nation—a level of academic prestige most journalism schools can’t offer.
We won’t walk you through every class on the syllabus, but here’s what actually makes the Medill experience stand out. From your first year, you’re writing, editing, and reporting. By your junior year, you’ll be doing a full journalism residency: a quarter-long internship where you work full-time at a real media outlet, getting bylines and clips that actually matter.
The school also has a tight alumni network, often referred to as the “Medill Mafia,” and they’re known for helping other Wildcats break into the field. That network, combined with the school’s prestige, gives grads a major head start.
A few well-known Medill alumni:
- David Barstow. He is a four-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist, best known for exposing Pentagon propaganda and corporate corruption in The New York Times.
- J.A. Adande. Former ESPN columnist and TV personality, Adande is now the director of sports journalism at Medill, where he helps students navigate both reporting and broadcasting.
- Christine Brennan. A trailblazing USA Today sports columnist and author who’s also been a regular on CNN, NPR, and ABC News, often covering gender and equity in athletics.
A whopping 98% of Medill grads are employed within six months of graduation. Many start as reporters or producers, but others head into communications, content strategy, or even law. If you’re serious about storytelling, writing, or media, journalism is easily one of the best majors at Northwestern.
Theatre
More than just preparing you for acting, the theatre program at Northwestern prepares you to lead, create, direct, write, and perform in almost every corner of the entertainment world.
Previously ranked as high as second in the world by The Hollywood Reporter and currently sitting at #21 in their latest ranking, the program remains one of the most respected in the country for undergraduate drama training.
What makes Northwestern’s theatre program so respected is the combination of conservatory-level production opportunities with a full liberal arts education. Students take courses in acting, voice, movement, directing, playwriting, and more, while still being encouraged to double major in other fields like political science, history, or psychology.
Each year, the school hosts more than 40 productions, and students regularly create and direct their own work. Faculty include working directors, dramaturgs, and scholars who bring both academic and industry experience into the classroom—including Masi Asare, a Tony-nominated songwriter whose work spans Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national tours.
Famous alumni include:
- Stephen Colbert. Emmy-winning host of The Late Show, known for combining sharp satire with character-driven performance, honed during his time in NU’s improv groups.
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Legendary comedic actress who starred in Seinfeld and Veep, and holds the record for most Emmys won by a performer.
- Seth Meyers. Writer and host of Late Night with Seth Meyers, who first developed his improv skills at Northwestern before joining Saturday Night Live.
- Anna Gunn. Best known for playing Skyler White on Breaking Bad, a role that earned her two Emmys and launched her into high-demand dramatic work.
- Zach Braff. Star of Scrubs and indie filmmaker, who credits Northwestern’s training for giving him the confidence to direct.
- Meghan Markle. Before marrying into royalty, she studied theatre and international relations, eventually landing a lead role in Suits and using her platform for activism.
If you want to work in entertainment, theatre at Northwestern is more than just a major. It’s an entry point to a career. Whether you’re headed to Broadway, film, or an MFA program, this is one of the best majors at Northwestern for breaking into a creative industry with confidence and connections.
Engineering (McCormick School)
Engineering at Northwestern means long nights, tough problem sets, and an education that really delivers. The McCormick School is currently ranked #16 in the nation, and it’s known for producing students who are both technically strong and creatively adaptable.
The curriculum is built around Northwestern’s “Whole-Brain Engineering” philosophy. That means you don’t just learn how to build things, you also learn how to think across disciplines, communicate ideas, and work on teams.
You’ll have design projects every year, from your first year onward, which means you’re not just solving theoretical problems. You’re creating prototypes, building systems, and testing ideas in the real world.
McCormick offers majors in industrial (#3), biomedical (#12), civil, chemical (#12), electrical, and materials (#2) engineering, plus interdisciplinary options like manufacturing design. There’s also an integrated studies track, where students design their own curriculum across multiple fields.
Job outcomes are some of the strongest at Northwestern:
- The median salary of students who studied computer science was $88,500 a year.
- 85% of students received offers within 3 months of graduation.
- Top employers include Nike, Amazon, PayPal, Roblox, Facebook, and Nordstrom
If you’re interested in STEM, want access to cutting-edge labs and research, and don’t mind the challenge of a packed course load, engineering is absolutely one of the best majors at Northwestern.
Pre-Med Science Majors
Northwestern is a strong pre-med school, and if you’re headed for medical school, you’ll most likely be majoring in Biological Sciences (#32), Neuroscience (#33), Chemistry (#6), or if you’re truly fearless, joining the Integrated Science Program (ISP). These are academically intense and widely known across campus as the majors where students grind harder than most.
The standard pre-med path includes heavy hitters like:
- General and Organic Chemistry with labs. These are foundational for med school and required by virtually all programs.
- Biology and Physics sequences. Also standard, and usually taken in the first or second year.
- Calculus and/or Statistics. Northwestern recommends math coursework, often including Calculus I and sometimes biostatistics, depending on your med school list.
- Biochemistry and Genetics. Strongly recommended, and sometimes required by certain med schools.
- Upper-level electives like Neuroscience or Cell Biology. Often taken to deepen your science background or prepare for the MCAT.
Labs are no joke—multiple hours per week, graded down to the decimal, with detailed reports and pre-lab prep. It’s not just hard for the sake of being hard. The rigor is intentional, designed to prepare students for med school and beyond.
For students who want to go even deeper, the Integrated Science Program offers an elite track. It’s a small, selective cohort (usually fewer than 50 students per year) that studies chemistry, biology, physics, and math at an accelerated, interdisciplinary level.
Students are often taking graduate-level courses by their second year. It’s been described by faculty as “a little piece of Caltech inside Northwestern.”
If you want to become a doctor, a researcher, or just prove to yourself you can do some of the hardest academic work Northwestern offers, these are the best majors to take on that challenge.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What majors is Northwestern known for?
Northwestern is especially strong in journalism (Medill), economics, engineering, theatre, and psychology. Its journalism program ranks #23 globally, and the economics department is consistently in the U.S. top 10 (#8 for 2025). Music and pre-med science majors are also highly respected.
2. Does Northwestern admit by major?
No, students are admitted to one of the undergraduate schools, not specific majors. Most students declare their major by the end of sophomore year. Audition-based majors, like those in music or theatre, have separate requirements.
3. Is Northwestern as good as the Ivy League?
Yes, Northwestern is ranked #6 nationally by U.S. News & World Report and is considered academically equivalent to Ivy League schools. It even ranks higher than several Ivies, including UPenn (#10) and Cornell (#11). The main difference is that it’s not part of the Ivy League athletic group.
4. Can students double major at Northwestern?
Yes, and many do. Over 30% of students in the College of Arts & Sciences graduate with two majors. Northwestern’s flexible curriculum makes it possible to combine majors across different schools. It just takes good planning with your advisor.
5. What is Northwestern’s acceptance rate?
For the Class of 2029, Northwestern had an acceptance rate of just 7%, with over 53,000 applicants competing for spots. That puts it among the most selective schools in the country.
Takeaways
Northwestern has no shortage of strong majors, but a few stand out for their rankings, outcomes, and reputation. Here’s a quick breakdown of the ones worth paying extra attention to:
- Economics and psychology are two of the most popular and versatile majors. Econ grads earn a median salary of $115,440 and have top-tier placement at firms like McKinsey and Amazon. Psychology, ranked #8 in the U.S., offers hands-on research and broad career flexibility.
- Medill’s journalism program combines prestige with practical experience. With a #23 global ranking and a 98% job placement rate, its alumni include Pulitzer winners and ESPN anchors.
- Theatre and engineering offer deep specialization and standout results. The theatre program ranks #21 and has produced household names like Stephen Colbert and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, while McCormick engineers enjoy top salaries and high placement at companies like Amazon, Roblox, and PayPal.
- Pre-med science majors and the Integrated Science Program are among the most rigorous. With demanding coursework, intensive labs, and accelerated honors tracks, these majors are designed to prepare serious students for med school or research careers.
- Need help figuring out which major fits your goals? A college admissions consultant can offer personalized advice, strategic planning, and expert support on building a Northwestern application that stands out.
