Northwestern University

In 2022, tuition for full-time Northwestern University students was $62,391 a year.

Tuition increased 3.51% in 2022–from $60,276 the prior year. On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until after graduation.

In-state vs. Out-of-state Tuition at Northwestern University

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 colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Be sure to check your state's rules for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other Illinois colleges

Northwestern University International Student Tuition

Tuition at Northwestern is the same for all students.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but may qualify for private or Northwestern-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at Northwestern:

•Northwestern-specific loans •Northwestern-specific scholarships

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Northwestern University Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, 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.

House and Food Costs at Northwestern

Room and board at Northwestern is $19,440 a year. This number includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat in the Northwestern's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Board costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at Northwestern

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of 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. Most colleges have resources for students with demonstrated need to get help covering these fees.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? 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 make a big difference in your transportation budget. At Northwestern, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can impact your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in a city might be costly, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The Northwestern University campus is located in a suburban setting in Illinois, near Chicago.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending Northwestern University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending Northwestern.

How Much Does Northwestern Cost?

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition	$62,391
Room and Board	$19,440
Other expenses	$2,052

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

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus	$86,550
Off-Campus	$67,110

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 2022, 3,707 of the 8,494 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. Northwestern meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $61,907 a year. Around 27.98% of Northwestern undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. Northwestern graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $34,851 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$15,182
Private Loans	$43,837

Most Common Loans for Northwestern Students
Federal Loans	25.67%
Private loans	2.95%

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 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 2022, Northwestern awarded 3,640 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $225.8 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $3.27 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Northwestern University Net Cost

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 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 was $61,907 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of Northwestern seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus	$24,643
Off-Campus	$5,203

What will attending Northwestern 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 get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the Northwestern'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.

Northwestern offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does Northwestern University Offer 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 with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

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

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Learn More About Northwestern University

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Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

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