Northwestern Kellogg MBA: Acceptance Rate, Deadlines, Cost, Requirements, & Program Overview

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is a prestigious business school offering a top-class business education. With an emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and creativity, the Kellogg community is a supportive environment perfect for aspiring professionals looking to become effective leaders and team players.

Northwestern Kellogg MBA Program Overview (2025)

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is one of the world’s leading business schools, renowned for its collaborative culture and emphasis on teamwork and leadership development. Founded in 1908, Kellogg is located in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago, providing students with access to a major financial and business hub. The school is known for its strong general management curriculum, data-driven decision-making approach, and focus on experiential learning. It consistently ranks among the top MBA programs globally, attracting students who seek a balance between academic rigor and a vibrant, team-oriented community.

Northwestern Kellogg MBA Acceptance Rate

​The Northwestern Kellogg is renowned for its highly selective admissions process. In recent years, the acceptance rate has been notably low, reflecting the program's competitiveness:​

• Class of 2022: 21% acceptance rate
• Class of 2023: 33% acceptance rate
• Class of 2025: 31% acceptance rate

These statistics underscore the rigorous selection criteria and the high level of competition among applicants to Kellogg’s MBA program.

Read: Kellogg MBA Acceptance Rates

Kellogg MBA Class Profile

• Location: Evanston, IL​
• Class Size: 529 students​
• Average Work Experience: Approximately 5 years​
• Average GMAT Score: 731​
• Average GRE Scores:
  • Quantitative: Median 163 (Range: 146-170)
  • Verbal: Median 163 (Range: 148-170)​
• Average GPA: 3.70 (Range: 2.8-4.0)​
• Demographics:
  • Women: 48%​
  • International Students: 39%​
  • U.S. Students of Color: 42%
  • LGBTQ+: 9%​
  • First-Generation Students: 13%
• Pre-MBA Industry Background:
  • Consulting: 26%​
  • Financial Services: 19%​
  • Technology: 19%
  • Healthcare/Biopharma: 8%
  • Consumer Products: 5%​
  • Nonprofit/Government/Education: 4%​
  • Media & Entertainment: 4%​
  • Military: 3%​
  • Manufacturing: 3%​
  • Energy: 1%​
  • Other: 9%

Northwestern Kellogg MBA Cost — Tuition & Fees

Two-Year MBA Program (Per Academic Year):

• Tuition: $83,610
• Food and Housing: $21,150​
• Books and Supplies: $2,052
• Travel: $1,548​
• Personal Expenses: $2,700​
• Health Insurance: $5,571
• Computer Equipment: $1,200​
• University Health Services Fee: $828​
• Student Activity and Experience Fee: $1,400
• Student Association Fee: $390​
• First-Year Fee: $2,000​
• Loan Fees: $2,742​

Total Estimated First-Year Expenses: $125,191

One-Year MBA Program:

• Tuition: $115,936​
• Food and Housing: $28,200
• Books and Supplies: $2,736
• Travel: $2,064​
• Personal Expenses: $3,600​
• Health Insurance: $6,975​
• Computer Equipment: $1,200​
• University Health Services Fee: $828
• Student Activity and Experience Fee: $1,400​
• Student Association Fee: $520​
• First-Year Fee: $1,000​
• Loan Fees: $3,868​

Total Estimated Expenses: $168,327

MBAi Program (First Year):

• Tuition: $87,795​
• Food and Housing: $21,150​
• Books and Supplies: $2,052​
• Travel: $1,548​
• Personal Expenses: $2,700​
• Health Insurance: $5,571​
• Computer Equipment: $1,200
• University Health Services Fee: $828​
• Student Activity and Experience Fee: $1,400​
• Student Association Fee: $390​
• First-Year Fee: $1,000​
• Loan Fees: $3,162

Total Estimated First-Year Expenses: $128,796​

MMM Program (First Year):

• Tuition: $111,480
• Food and Housing: $28,200​
• Books and Supplies: $2,736
• Travel: $2,064​
• Personal Expenses: $3,600​
• Health Insurance: $6,975​
• Computer Equipment: $1,200​
• University Health Services Fee: $828​
• Student Activity and Experience Fee: $1,400​
• Student Association Fee: $520​
• First-Year Fee: $2,000​
• Loan Fees: $3,596​

Total Estimated First-Year Expenses: $164,599

JD-MBA Program (First Year):

• Tuition: $108,606​
• Food and Housing: $28,200​
• Books and Supplies: $2,637​
• Travel: $2,064​
• Personal Expenses: $3,600​
• Health Insurance: $5,830
• Computer Equipment: $1,200​
• University Health Services Fee: $828​
• Loan Fees: $3,721

Read: Northwestern Kellogg MBA Cost – Tuition & Fees Breakdown

Northwestern Kellogg Employment Report

Employment Outcomes:

• Job Offers: 90% of graduates received job offers within three months post-graduation, with 87% accepting offers in that timeframe.
• Median Base Salary: The median base salary for the Class of 2024 was $170,000, approximately doubling graduates' pre-MBA salaries.
• Median Signing Bonus: Graduates reported a median signing bonus of $30,000.

Industry Placement:

• Consulting: 35% of graduates entered the consulting industry, with a median base salary of $190,000.
• Technology: 20% joined technology firms, earning a median base salary of $157,000.
• Financial Services: 19% pursued careers in financial services, with a median base salary of $173,000.
• Healthcare: 9% of graduates accepted roles in healthcare, marking a five-year high and an increase from 3% in the previous year.
• Consumer Packaged Goods: 7% entered the consumer packaged goods sector, with a median base salary of $128,000.

Regional Placement:

• Midwest: 36% of graduates accepted positions in the Midwest.
• West: 27% secured roles in the Western United States. ​East: 21% took positions in the Eastern regions. ​
• South: 9% were employed in the Southern United States. ​
• International: 6% pursued opportunities outside the United States

Northwestern Kellogg Application Overview

Kellogg MBA Programs & Degrees

• Two-Year, Full-Time MBA – A traditional full-time MBA program designed for professionals seeking a comprehensive business education with the flexibility to explore majors, pathways, and global opportunities.
• One-Year, Full-Time MBA – An accelerated MBA program for students with strong business foundations who want to earn their degree in just 12 months while bypassing core coursework.
• Executive MBA (EMBA) – A part-time, leadership-focused MBA designed for seasoned professionals and executives looking to enhance their strategic decision-making and global business acumen.
• Evening & Weekend MBA – A flexible, part-time MBA program for working professionals who want to advance their careers while continuing full-time employment.
• Deferred MBA (Kellogg Future Leaders Program) – A deferred enrollment program that allows college seniors to secure a spot in Kellogg’s MBA program and gain professional experience before matriculating.
• MBAi Program (Joint AI-Focused MBA with McCormick School of Engineering) – A specialized MBA program combining business and AI-driven technology leadership to prepare students for roles at the intersection of technology and management.
• MMM Program (Joint MBA + MS in Design Innovation with Segal Design Institute) – A dual-degree program that integrates business strategy with design thinking and innovation to develop leaders in product management, operations, and experience design.
• JD-MBA Program (Joint MBA + Juris Doctor with Northwestern Pritzker School of Law) – A unique three-year dual-degree program that equips students with expertise in both business and law for careers in corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, or legal practice.
• MD-MBA Program (Joint MBA + MD with Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine) – A dual-degree program that allows medical professionals to integrate business and healthcare knowledge to drive innovation and leadership in the medical industry.

Kellogg MBA Deadlines

All applications are due by 5:00 PM Central Time on the respective due date. Please note that deadlines differ for the Evening & Weekend MBA, Executive MBA (EMBA), and Deferred MBA (Kellogg Future Leaders Program). Specific deadlines for these programs are listed on the Kellogg admissions page.​

Evening & Weekend MBA Deadlines

Executive MBA Deadlines

Deferred MBA (Kellogg Future Leaders Program) Deadline

• Application Deadline: April 23, 2025

Kellogg MBA Requirements

• Application Checklist:
  • GMAT/GRE Score (No preference for either; valid for 5 years)
  • Transcripts (All post-secondary institutions attended; official copies required upon matriculation)
  • Essays (Two required; additional essays for specific programs and re-applicants)
  • Letters of Recommendation (Two required; one from a current supervisor recommended)
  • Video Essay (Mandatory; 96 hours to submit post-application deadline)
  • Resume (No specific format; should clearly outline career background and accomplishments)
  • Application Fee ($250; waivers available for eligible applicants)
  • TOEFL/IELTS (Required for non-native English speakers unless degree was taught in English)

Kellogg MBA Essays

• Prompts:

1. Kellogg Leaders are primed to tackle today’s pressing concerns everywhere, from the boardroom to their neighborhoods. Tell us about a time in your life where you’ve needed a combination of skills to solve a problem or overcome a challenge. Which skills did you use? What did you accomplish? (450 words)
2. At Kellogg, our values are based on research that concludes organizations comprised of leaders with varied backgrounds and perspectives outperform homogeneous ones. How do you believe your personal and professional experiences to date will help to enrich the Kellogg community? (450 words)

Additional Essay Requirements:

• Re-applicants: How have you grown personally and professionally since your last application? (250 words)
• One-Year MBA Applicants: Discuss post-MBA goals, relevant experience, and how Kellogg 1Y will support your transition. (250 words)
• MBAi Applicants: Describe firsthand experience with the disconnect between business and technology and how MBAi will prepare you. (450 words)
• MMM Applicants: Describe a situation where you demonstrated curiosity, creativity, empathy, open-mindedness, or a learning mindset. (250 words)
• JD-MBA Applicants: Discuss post-JD-MBA career goals and why this program is the right fit. (250 words)

Read: How to Nail Your Kellogg MBA Application Essays

Kellogg MBA Interview

Kellogg Interviews

The interview provides an opportunity for you to learn more about Kellogg’s community. It also allows the admissions committee to further evaluate your interpersonal and communication skills, career focus, and motivations for the Kellogg MBA.

• All interviews are currently virtual. You will provide your location in the application so that Kellogg can be mindful of your time zone. You will receive an email with details and scheduling instructions within six weeks of the application deadline
• Your interview may be waived because of their high demand and the limited availability of interviewers. If that happens, the admissions team may contact you if they need more information

Kellogg MBA Letters of Recommendation

You will need to submit two letters of recommendation written by colleagues who have worked closely with you. The first letter should ideally come from a current supervisor or manager. The second should be from someone who can evaluate your performance as a professional as well as your managerial and leadership potential.

There are three prompts for your recommender to answer:

1. Kellogg has a diverse student body and values students who are inclusive and encouraging of others with differing perspectives and backgrounds. Please tell us about a time when you witnessed the candidate living these values. (300 words)
2. How does the candidate's performance compare to those of other well-qualified individuals in similar roles? Please provide specific examples. (300 words)
3. Describe the most important piece of constructive feedback you have given the candidate. Please detail the circumstances and the applicant's response. (250 words)

Click here for our Free Recommender Prep Doc.

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Kellogg MBA Curriculum & Class Structure

The Kellogg MBA curriculum is designed to provide students with a well-rounded, flexible, and rigorous business education. The program balances core courses, electives, experiential learning opportunities, and global experiences, allowing students to tailor their education to their professional goals. Operating on a quarter system, Kellogg provides students with more opportunities to take electives and explore areas of interest.

Find out more here: Kellogg MBA Curriculum Overview - Concentrations, Core, and Electives

Year 1

In the first year, students complete core courses designed to build a strong foundation in business fundamentals. These courses cover key topics such as accounting, finance, leadership, operations, marketing, and data analytics.

Core Courses:

• ACCT-430-0: Financial Accounting
• STRT-431-0: Business Strategy
• FINC-430-0: Finance I
• MKTG-430-0: Marketing Management
• DECS-430-5: Business Analytics I
• DECS-431-0: Business Analytics II
• MECN-430-0: Microeconomic Analysis
• OPNS-430-0: Operations Management
• MORS-430-0: Leadership in Organizations

Students also participate in experiential learning programs, case-based learning, and team-based projects.

Year 2

In the second year, students focus on electives, majors, and pathways to tailor their MBA experience. Kellogg offers over 200 elective courses across various disciplines.

Majors:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Finance
• Management Science
• Managing Organizations
• Marketing
• Operations
• Strategy

Pathways (cross-functional course sequences):

• Asset Management
• Data Analytics
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Energy & Sustainability
• Entrepreneurship
• Growth and Scaling
• Healthcare at Kellogg
• Real Estate
• Social Impact
• Technology Management
• Venture Capital and Private Equity

Students can also participate in global opportunities, including study abroad programs, the Global Initiatives in Management (GIM), and Kellogg Worldwide Exploration Student Trips (KWEST).

Experiential Learning

At Kellogg, you will work alongside faculty members, fellow students, Kellogg alumni, and corporate partners. Using strategic management concepts, you will solve critical business issues through self-defined projects, courses with simulations and real-world exercises, client projects, and labs. For more information about experiential learning at Kellogg, check out the opportunities here.

Life on Campus

As a Kellogg MBA student, you will be part of a collaborative and welcoming environment with support for minority, LGBTQ+, international, and female students. You’ll bond with your fellow Kellogg students through events such as Culture Camp, Engage Dinners, Hear My Story events, and more than 200 student organizations.

Almost all of the full-time MBA students choose to live in Evanston, and most prefer to be within walking or biking distance from the Global Hub, Kellogg’s flagship building. The Global Hub sits on the shore of Lake Michigan and is where you will take classes and collaborate with fellow students. Many Kellogg students choose to live on-campus in the McManus Living-Learning Center, Engelhart Hall, and Garrett Place Apartments, which are all a few blocks from the Global Hub. Kellogg supports students who bring their partners and children with them through the Joint Ventures and Kellogg Kids clubs.

If you are enrolling in the evening or weekend MBA programs, your classes will take place in Wieboldt Hall at the Chicago campus, located downtown near the Loop. Students in the executive MBA program can choose to apply for the Evanston campus, the Miami campus, or both locations.

How to Get Into Kellogg MBA

Show that you’re a leader and a team player

Kellogg thrives on collaboration and leadership, so the admissions team is looking for candidates who can do both. That doesn’t mean you need to be a CEO or have a fancy title—it means you should be someone who takes initiative, steps up when needed, and knows how to bring people together to make things happen. Maybe you led a big project at work, started an initiative in your community, or turned around a struggling team. Whatever it is, make sure you highlight how you made an impact and how you worked with others to get results. Kellogg loves people who lift others up, so showcase your ability to lead while being part of a team.

Prove you can think critically and make smart decisions

Kellogg wants students who can think on their feet, solve complex problems, and make decisions based on logic and data. Your application should reflect how you approach challenges and break them down strategically. Maybe you helped your company expand into a new market, optimized a process that saved time and money, or used data to drive a major business decision. The key is to show that you’re someone who can analyze situations, think critically, and make smart choices—something that will be valuable in both business school and beyond.

Get to know Kellogg and show that you belong

Kellogg is a community-driven school, and they want students who are genuinely excited to be part of it. The best way to show this is by engaging with the Kellogg experience before you even apply. Attend events, talk to alumni, sit in on a class if you can—anything that gives you a real sense of the school’s culture. In your essays and interviews, go beyond generic statements like “Kellogg’s collaborative environment appeals to me.” Instead, be specific. Maybe you love the school’s focus on experiential learning, the strong alumni network, or the opportunities in entrepreneurship and tech. Whatever it is, make it clear that you know why Kellogg is the right place for you and why you’ll add to its community.

Kellogg MBA Notable Alumni & Faculty

Alumni

• James L. Skinner – Former CEO of McDonald's Corporation and Walgreens Boots Alliance. ​
• Irene Rosenfeld – Former CEO of Mondelēz International and Kraft Foods.
• Robert A. Eckert – Former Chairman and CEO of Mattel and former CEO of Kraft Foods.

Faculty

• Harry M. Kraemer – Clinical Professor of Leadership at Kellogg School of Management and former Chairman and CEO of Baxter International Inc.
• Victoria Medvec – Adeline Barry Davee Professor of Management and Organizations at Kellogg, co-founder and Executive Director of the Center for Executive Women, and CEO of Medvec & Associates, specializing in high-stakes negotiations and strategic decisions. ​
• Mohanbir Sawhney – Associate Dean for Digital Innovation, McCormick Foundation Chair of Technology, Clinical Professor of Marketing, and Director of the Center for Research in Technology & Innovation at Kellogg, recognized globally for his expertise in business innovation, modern marketing, and AI applications in business.

Get Into Northwestern Kellogg With the Help of Experts

The Kellogg MBA admissions process is competitive, and having an experienced coach can make all the difference. A great admissions consultant can help you craft compelling essays, prepare for interviews, and position your application in a way that highlights your strengths and aligns with what Kellogg is looking for. Whether you need help structuring your story, refining your resume, or practicing for the video essay, expert guidance can provide a strategic advantage.

Here are three of the most popular MBA admissions consultants for Northwestern Kellogg—browse all here:

• Caitlin B. — A former MBB consultant and Kellogg alumna, Caitlin specializes in helping applicants tell authentic, compelling stories that showcase their leadership, teamwork, and impact. She offers detailed feedback on essays and interview coaching to help applicants stand out.
• David G. — With years of experience coaching MBA applicants, David has a data-driven and structured approach to applications. He helps clients refine their personal narrative, optimize resumes, and craft essays that resonate with Kellogg’s admissions team.
• Chip L. — A seasoned MBA admissions expert, Chip has successfully guided numerous applicants into top business schools, including Kellogg. His strength lies in strategic positioning and interview preparation, ensuring that candidates present their best selves throughout the process.

Here are a few other articles you may find helpful as you research and apply to business school:

• Kellogg Financial Aid & Scholarships – Overview & Tips
• Northwestern Kellogg Values – What Does the School Care About?
• Northwestern Kellogg – MBA Waitlist Strategy
• The Complete MBA Application Guide

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Kellogg MBA — FAQs

What does Kellogg look for in its applicants?

• Kellogg values individuals who can motivate a team to drive impact and who are not afraid to ask questions and find the non-obvious solutions. The Kellogg admissions team is looking for someone who can approach business problems with a mix of energy, intellect, and creativity; someone who can work in a diverse background and is eager to collaborate with an engaged, ambitious community of peers

Is work experience recommended?

• Kellogg recommends that you have at least two years of experience upon matriculation. The admissions committee believes that work experience will enhance your academic experience and allow you to participate well in classroom discussions and group projects

When is the best time to apply?

• Applying early can be advantageous for applying to grants, scholarships, or on-campus housing preferences. Round 1 or 2 applicants can also take advantage of Kellogg’s admitted-student weekends
• Kellogg admits candidates for all programs during all three rounds. They encourage international students to apply in Round 1 or 2 to allow more time for visa processing. They also tend to admit One-Year MBA and MMM students either in Round 1 or 2 since the programs have an earlier start date

Can I apply for more than one program?

• No. Candidates cannot be considered for multiple programs at a time, unless they are applying for a designated joint degree. Please note that application fees are non-refundable

Can I update my application once submitted?

• Yes. You can send employment changes, grades for recent classes, or new GMAT, GRE, or TOEFL scores to your application after you submit it. To do this, you should sign in to your application and add your update in the supplemental information page. Please note that there will be no guarantee that Kellogg will consider the added information prior to making a decision

Can I defer my application once admitted?

• Requests for deferral after admission are rarely granted and considered on a case-to-case basis, unless you were admitted as a Kellogg Future Leader. If you do need to defer your application, provide a detailed explanation for the request and the appropriate documentation

What additional information should I include if I am applying with a spouse or partner?

• If you are applying with a partner, each file is assessed independently. You may note in your application that you are applying with your partner