Physical Sciences at Northwestern University
Northwestern University awarded 34 bachelor's degrees in physical sciences in 2023, 1.6% of its 2,160 graduates, which makes it the 10th most common field of study at the school. Across all 2,440 reporting institutions the field accounts for 1.29% of bachelor's degrees; at Northwestern University it is 1.2x that, about as common. 41% of those graduates were women.
Is physical sciences competitive at Northwestern University?
Colleges report one admission rate for the whole school; here is the bar you are actually measured against, and how the model treats this major.
Northwestern University admitted 3,703 of 51,769 applicants for fall 2023 (8%), and the middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510 to 1570 on the SAT. Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for physical sciences at Northwestern University. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "Physics / Chemistry" as more competitive than Northwestern University's overall rate (multiplier 0.98 on the effective admit rate), so an applicant declaring this field is scored against a slightly higher bar.
How to apply to Northwestern University for physical sciences
What readers look for from applicants who declare this field, at any selectivity.
- Chemistry and physics at the highest level, with calculus
- A lab or research experience, even a small one, described specifically
- Math depth matters as much as science grades here
- Run your odds with the major set: your estimate at Northwestern University for physical sciences →
Where else to study physical sciences
Other colleges in Illinois and at a similar selectivity that award bachelor's degrees in this field.
Every college ranked by physical sciences graduates: colleges that graduate the most physical sciences majors → · Physical Sciences colleges in Illinois →
More majors at Northwestern University
The other fields Northwestern University graduates the most students in, 2023.
Questions about physical sciences at Northwestern University
How many students major in physical sciences at Northwestern University?
34 students earned a bachelor's degree in physical sciences at Northwestern University in 2023, 1.6% of that year's 2,160 graduates (IPEDS completions, first majors).
Is physical sciences competitive at Northwestern University?
Northwestern University admitted 3,703 of 51,769 applicants for fall 2023 (8%), and the middle 50% of admitted students scored 1510 to 1570 on the SAT. Colleges report admissions at the school level, not by major, so there is no published acceptance rate for physical sciences at Northwestern University. CollegeCalcAI's published model treats "Physics / Chemistry" as more competitive than Northwestern University's overall rate (multiplier 0.98 on the effective admit rate), so an applicant declaring this field is scored against a slightly higher bar.
What is the acceptance rate for physical sciences at Northwestern University?
There is no official major-level acceptance rate; Northwestern University reports one school-wide figure, 8%. Some programs (direct-admit nursing, engineering and business schools) select separately and can be more selective than the school overall. CollegeCalcAI's calculator applies its published per-major adjustment and shows your estimate for this school with the major set.
Is Northwestern University known for physical sciences?
By output, physical sciences is the 10th most common field at Northwestern University and about as common there than at the average U.S. college (1.6% of graduates versus 1.29% nationally).
Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 Completions (bachelor's degrees, first majors, CIP 2-digit series). Admissions counts: IPEDS 2023. Built 2026-09-19. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are not predictions or guarantees.