Northwestern University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at Northwestern was $64,887 a year.

In 2023, tuition increased 4%–from $62,391 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the "sticker price" of tuition does not always tell the full story. Many students find the actual cost of college is way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until after graduation.

Northwestern University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at Northwestern University is around $63,954 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $34,309 in student loans per borrower.

Does Northwestern University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

Northwestern University is a private, nonprofit institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of Illinois as it does for residents from other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public insitutions often offer a lower cost of attendance for students who are residents of that state.

Choosing an insitution where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save on the overall cost of college. Take the time to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Is Northwestern University's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at Northwestern University is the same for every student.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but should research private or Northwestern University-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Northwestern University:

•Northwestern University-specific loans •Northwestern University-specific scholarships

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Northwestern University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at Northwestern University.

Room and Board Costs at Northwestern University

Housing and campus dining at Northwestern University costs $20,334 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that allows you to eat in the Northwestern University's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at Northwestern University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have ways so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At Northwestern University, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city is usually costly, but there may be more trains, busses or affordable flights to actually get to school. The Northwestern University campus is in a suburb in Illinois, near Chicago.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Financial Breakdown for Northwestern University

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of how much students can expect to shell out for Northwestern University.

How Much Does Northwestern University Cost?

What will the cost of attending Northwestern University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$64,887
Room and Board	$20,334
Other expenses	$1,905

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$89,922
Off-Campus	$67,683

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at Northwestern University

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In 2023, 3,809 of the 8,499 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Northwestern University meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $63,954 a year. Around 28.95% of Northwestern University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Northwestern University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $34,309 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$16,347
Private Loans	$51,697

Most Common Loans for Northwestern University Students
Federal Loans	27.87%
Private loans	2.51%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on Northwestern University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at Northwestern University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, Northwestern University awarded 3,685 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $243.9 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.14 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of Northwestern University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for Northwestern University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at Northwestern University was $63,954 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Northwestern University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$25,968
Off-Campus	$3,729

What will attending Northwestern University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Northwestern University's net cost calculator on their website.

Northwestern University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

Northwestern Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

Northwestern University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

For more information about Northwestern University's endowment, check with the school directly.

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Learn More About Northwestern University

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