Established in 1851, the Northwestern University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Evanston (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Illinois. This institution also has branch campuses in Chicago, Doha, Washington DC and San Francisco. Officially accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Northwestern University (NU) is a large-sized (Buydiploma enrollment range: 15,000-19,999 students) coeducational US higher education institution. Northwestern University (NU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the Buydiploma degree levels and areas of study table below for further details. This 173-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. The acceptance rate range is 0-9% making this US higher education organization an extremely selective institution. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. NU also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.