Northwestern University H-1B Visa Sponsorship Data 2026
Northwestern University filed 276 H-1B labor condition applications in fiscal year 2026, ranking #138 out of 1,000 sponsoring employers in our database — down 11.3% from last year.
Of those filings, 63.4% were certified by the Department of Labor, with a median offered salary of $70,724, below the national H-1B median of $126,403.
11% of Northwestern University's filings were at prevailing-wage Level III or above. Under the 2026 wage-weighted lottery, that translates to an average of 1.3 lottery entries per candidate — roughly in line with the broader market.
Northwestern University's most-sponsored roles in FY2026 were Postdoctoral Scholar (72 cases), Research Associate (65 cases), Research Assistant Professor (23 cases). Its heaviest H-1B hiring was in IL (274), NY (1), CA (1).
Northwestern University appears to be a cap-exempt type employer (such as a university, nonprofit research organization, or hospital). Cap-exempt employers can sponsor H-1B workers at any time of year without going through the annual lottery — always confirm directly with the employer's immigration team.
FY2026 filings
276
Rank #138 nationally
Approval rate
63.4%
175 certified
Median salary
$70,724
National median $126,403
Avg. lottery entries
1.3×
Wage-weighted system
H-1B lottery positioning
Under the 2026 wage-weighted lottery, Level I filings receive 1 entry, Level II get 2, Level III get 3, and Level IV get 4. 11% of Northwestern University's FY2026 filings were Level III or above, giving its candidates an average of 1.3 entries per filing.
Most-sponsored job titles
| Job title | Filings | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Scholar | 72 | $65,079 |
| Research Associate | 65 | $72,480 |
| Research Assistant Professor | 23 | $87,852 |
| Assistant Professor | 22 | $152,494 |
| Assistant Professor Of Instruction | 10 | $88,490 |
| Research Technologist | 9 | $51,471 |
| Postdoctoral Fellow | 9 | $64,064 |
| Research Specialist | 8 | $67,592 |
| Clinical Research Associate | 8 | $72,967 |
| Data Analyst | 6 | $80,147 |
Top worksite states
IL
274 filings
NY
1 filings
CA
1 filings
Year-over-year trend
Northwestern University filed 311 H-1B applications in FY2025 versus 276 in FY2026 — a decrease of 11.3%.
Northwestern University H-1B FAQs
Does Northwestern University sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes. Northwestern University filed 276 H-1B labor condition applications in FY2026, ranking #138 nationally. A labor condition application (LCA) is the required first step before an H-1B petition, so this filing volume is a strong signal of active sponsorship.
What is Northwestern University's H-1B approval rate?
63.4% of Northwestern University's FY2026 H-1B filings were certified by the Department of Labor. Note that LCA certification is distinct from USCIS petition approval, but a high certification rate indicates clean, compliant filings.
How much does Northwestern University pay H-1B workers?
Northwestern University's median offered salary for H-1B roles in FY2026 was $70,724 (average $81,929). Individual offers vary by role, level, and worksite — the tables above break it down by job title.
Which jobs does Northwestern University sponsor most on H-1B?
Postdoctoral Scholar leads with 72 filings in FY2026 at an average offered salary of $65,079. Other frequently sponsored roles are listed in the table above.
Where does Northwestern University hire H-1B workers?
IL is Northwestern University's top H-1B worksite state with 274 filings in FY2026, followed by NY (1) and CA (1). Worksite reflects where the job is performed, which may differ from headquarters.
What are the H-1B lottery odds at Northwestern University?
No employer can guarantee lottery selection, but wage levels matter: under the 2026 wage-weighted system, Level I filings get 1 entry while Level IV get 4. Based on Northwestern University's FY2026 wage mix, its candidates averaged 1.3 entries per filing. Higher-wage offers at the same employer carry better odds.
Other top H-1B sponsors
Data source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification — Labor Condition Application disclosure data, FY2024–FY2026. An LCA is filed by the employer before an H-1B petition; disclosure data does not indicate USCIS petition outcomes. Last updated: October 2026.