Northwestern University — H-1B Visa Sponsorship
Northwestern University's Growing H-1B Sponsorship for Academic and Research Roles
Northwestern University H-1B Visa Sponsorship Summary
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total H-1B Petitions | 72 |
| Approval Rate | 99% |
| Average Salary | $91,351 |
| Salary Range | $41,108 - $827,568 |
| Top Job Title | Postdoctoral Scholar |
| Primary Location | Illinois |
Browse by Fiscal Year
About Northwestern University's H-1B Sponsorship
Northwestern University has filed 72 H-1B visa petitions with a 98.6% approval rate. Northwestern University shows a strong and increasing trend in H-1B sponsorships, particularly in recent fiscal years. The university primarily sponsors roles in academic and research positions, with 'Postdoctoral Scholar' being the most frequent. The vast majority of sponsorships are concentrated in Illinois, indicating a strong geographic focus. The average salary offered is significantly above the median, suggesting a focus on experienced or highly qualified candidates.
Key Insights
- There's a dramatic increase in sponsorships from FY2023 to FY2024, suggesting a ramp-up in hiring or a change in sponsorship strategy.
- The number of 'Postdoctoral Scholar' positions accounts for over 35% of all listed job titles, highlighting a key area of recruitment.
- The data shows a very low number of withdrawn petitions (0), indicating a high success rate or careful pre-petition screening.
- The average salary (SA) is substantially higher than the median salary (SM) for H-1B filings, implying a premium placed on specialized talent.
- The number of sponsorships in FY2025 (59) already surpasses all previous years combined, indicating a significant future hiring pipeline.
- The geographic distribution is heavily skewed towards Illinois (71 out of 72), with only one sponsorship listed in Georgia.
- The number of 'Research Assistant Professor' and 'Research Associate' roles are also notable, reinforcing the academic/research focus.
- The single 'Other' category (W:1) is negligible, suggesting most sponsorships fall into clearly defined roles.
Expert Analysis
Peer Comparison: Northwestern University's H-1B sponsorship volume and salary offerings appear to be increasing significantly, positioning it as a major academic sponsor compared to many other universities.
Negotiation Tip: Given the high average salaries and the focus on specialized academic roles, emphasize your unique qualifications and research contributions that align directly with the specific needs of the department or lab.
Similar Employers
Filing Statistics
| Total Filings | 72 |
| Certified | 71 |
| Withdrawn | 1 |
| Approval Rate | 99% |
| Average Salary | $91,351 |
| Median Salary | $73,000 |
| Salary Range | $41,108 – $827,568 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | $61,008 |
| 25th Percentile Salary | $65,640 |
| 75th Percentile Salary | $86,382 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | $127,500 |
| Sponsor Grade | B — Score: 79/100 (high confidence) |
Green Card (PERM) Sponsorship by Northwestern University
PERM labor certification data shows whether Northwestern University sponsors employees for green cards (permanent residency). This data is from DOL PERM disclosure files (FY2020–2026).
| Year | Certified | Denied | Total | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 100% |
| 2020 | 19 | 1 | 20 | 95% |
| 2021 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 100% |
| 2022 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 100% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 100% |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 100% |
| 2025 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 100% |
Top PERM Job Titles
| Job Title | Filings |
|---|---|
| Assistant Professor | 21 |
| Assistant Professor of Instruction | 7 |
| Assistant Professor, Accounting and Information Management | 2 |
| Research Associate | 2 |
| Research Manager | 2 |
Top Countries of Origin (PERM)
| Country | Filings |
|---|---|
| INDIA | 5 |
| CHINA | 3 |
| ITALY | 3 |
| SOUTH KOREA | 3 |
| CANADA | 3 |
Salary Distribution
| 10th Percentile | $60,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,960 |
| Median (50th) | $72,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,219 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,500 |
| Average | $79,329 |
| Sample Size | 49 |
Prevailing Wage Comparison
Processing Time
Workforce Insights
Filing Trend by Year
| Year | Filings | Avg Salary |
|---|---|---|
| FY2022 | 1 | N/A |
| FY2023 | 4 | N/A |
| FY2024 | 8 | N/A |
| FY2025 | 59 | N/A |
Top Job Titles at Northwestern University
| Job Title | Filings |
|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Scholar | 26 |
| Research Assistant Professor | 10 |
| Research Associate | 9 |
| Assistant Professor | 5 |
| Assistant Professor of Instruction | 3 |
| Research Data Analyst | 2 |
| Research Specialist | 2 |
| Statistical Analyst | 2 |
| Project Coordinator | 1 |
| Research Associate Professor | 1 |
Work Locations
| State | Filings |
|---|---|
| Illinois | 71 |
| Georgia | 1 |
Visa Classes
Frequently Asked Questions about Northwestern University
Does Northwestern University sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, Northwestern University actively sponsors H-1B visas. They have filed 72 H-1B petitions with a 98.6% approval rate.
What is the average H-1B salary at Northwestern University?
The average H-1B salary at Northwestern University is $91,351, with a median of $73,000. Salaries range from $41,108 to $827,568 across 72 filings.
What is Northwestern University's H-1B approval rate?
Northwestern University's H-1B approval rate is 98.6%. Out of 72 total filings, 71 were certified, 0 denied, and 1 withdrawn.
How many H-1B visas does Northwestern University file per year?
Northwestern University has filed H-1B petitions across 4 fiscal years. Recent volumes: FY2023: 4, FY2024: 8, FY2025: 59.
What jobs does Northwestern University sponsor H-1B visas for?
The most common H-1B job titles at Northwestern University are: Postdoctoral Scholar, Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate, Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor of Instruction. The top role, Postdoctoral Scholar, accounts for 26 filings.
Where are Northwestern University's H-1B jobs located?
Northwestern University's H-1B positions are primarily located in Illinois (71 filings), Georgia (1 filings).
Is Northwestern University increasing or decreasing H-1B hiring?
Northwestern University's H-1B filing volume went from 8 in FY2024 to 59 in FY2025, a +638% change.
What is Northwestern University's H-1B denial rate?
Northwestern University has a 0.0% denial rate across 72 filings (0 denied). They have zero denials on record.
What is the salary range for H-1B positions at Northwestern University?
H-1B salaries at Northwestern University range from $41,108 to $827,568. The 25th percentile is $65,640, median is $73,000, and 75th percentile is $86,382.
What visa types does Northwestern University file?
Northwestern University's filings by visa class: E-3 AUSTRALIAN: 1, H-1B: 71.
Is Northwestern University a good H-1B sponsor?
Northwestern University has a 98.6% approval rate with 72 filings. There's a dramatic increase in sponsorships from FY2023 to FY2024, suggesting a ramp-up in hiring or a change in sponsorship strategy.
How does Northwestern University's H-1B salary compare to market?
Northwestern University pays an average of $91,351 for H-1B positions. The number of 'Postdoctoral Scholar' positions accounts for over 35% of all listed job titles, highlighting a key area of recruitment.
How does Northwestern University compare to University of Chicago for H-1B?
Northwestern University's H-1B sponsorship volume and salary offerings appear to be increasing significantly, positioning it as a major academic sponsor compared to many other universities.
What should I negotiate for an H-1B position at Northwestern University?
Given the high average salaries and the focus on specialized academic roles, emphasize your unique qualifications and research contributions that align directly with the specific needs of the department or lab.
What should H-1B candidates know about Northwestern University?
The data shows a very low number of withdrawn petitions (0), indicating a high success rate or careful pre-petition screening.