
Northwestern's Eagles compete in NCAA Division III varsity athletics and the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference. The university's varsity offerings include sports such as football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, and track and field.
Varsity participation differs from club, intramural, and recreational activity: varsity teams have formal competition schedules and coaching, while other options may be organized for students who do not join an NCAA roster. Applicants interested in a particular sport should check its current team status and recruiting process. NCAA Division III institutions do not award athletic scholarships, although student-athletes may qualify for other forms of aid.
Student involvement at Northwestern includes student-led activities in the arts, media, service, academic interests, and faith-related life. Reported campus opportunities include a student newspaper, student-run radio and television, theater, and choral groups.
Those options suit different commitments: producing a broadcast may build a portfolio, while a performance group or service organization may be primarily about shared interests and community. Because organization rosters and activity levels change, students seeking a particular club or leadership position should consult the current student-activities directory rather than assume that a past listing is active.
Northwestern reported 3,234 enrolled students in its institutional figures. Its population includes traditional college students as well as younger students participating in college-level study, so the overall enrollment figure should not be read as a count of residential undergraduates.
Among reported first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates, 376 enrolled; another 74 entered as transfers. Geographic reporting indicates that about 74% of students came from Minnesota, about 25% from other U.S. states, and about 1% from other countries. Those figures describe where students came from, not the range of perspectives or experiences any individual will encounter.
Applicants comparing campus size should distinguish university-wide enrollment from the students in their own courses and program. Northwestern reports a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1, but that institution-wide measure does not specify the size of a particular class or the availability of a required course.
Everyday life at Northwestern combines a residential campus, commuters, academic work, and activities shaped by the university's Christian identity. Reported housing figures place about 61% of students on campus, leaving a substantial commuting population.
Students can connect through chapel and faith-related programming, performances, media production, campus events, and recreation. The university also reports a health clinic and personal or psychological counseling. A prospective commuter may want to examine event times and places to spend time between classes, while a residential student may focus more on residence-life expectations and weekend activities.
Berntsen Library is Northwestern's main academic library. It supports coursework and research with study space and access to library materials; students can also reserve study rooms.
For a research assignment, the most useful services to check are subject databases, online journals, research assistance, and options for obtaining material beyond the local collection. Digital access can be particularly important for commuters and students studying away from campus. Reported library information does not indicate a regularly available 24-hour study area, so students who rely on late-night space should check current building hours.
Total enrollment
3234Full Time Degree Seeking Freshmen
289Member of Athletic Associations
NCAATotal staff
64 full time, 212 part timeVeterans affair office
YesVarsity teams compete against other colleges, intramural teams within the school. Each column says whether men, women or both take part, and whether the sport offers athletic scholarships (Aid).
Sport
Baseball
Basketball
Cross-country running
Football
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track and field
Volleyball
Data last updated on November 5, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.