Tuition, Cost & Aid
Affordability and Cost
Average Net Price Average net price for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying the in-state or in-district tuition rate who were awarded grant or scholarship aid from federal, state or local governments, or the institution. Other sources of grant aid are excluded. Aid awarded anytime during the full aid year is included.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
Average net price is generated by subtracting the average amount of federal, state or local government, or institutional grant and scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. Total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies and the weighted average room and board and other expenses.
$28,344
Average Net Price By Family Income
Tuition
| In-State Tuition In-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. In-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students residing in the locality in which they attend school and may be a lower rate than in-state tuition if offered by the institution. | $65,997 |
| Out-of-State Tuition Out-of-state tuition is the tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the state's or institution's residency requirements. Out-of-district tuition is the tuition charged by the institution to those students not residing in the locality in which they attend school. | $65,997 |
Additional Costs
Room and Board The weighted average for room and board and other expenses is generated as follows:
| $20,334 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,686 |
| Tuition Payment Plan | Yes |
Financial Aid: visit page
Financial Aid Email: [email protected]
Aid & Grants
0
100
100%
Need Met
Students Receiving Gift Aid Percent of undergraduate students awarded federal gift aid. Federal gift aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students Receiving Grants Percent of undergraduate students awarded grant aid. Grant aid includes any grant or scholarship aid awarded, from the federal government, a state or local government, the institution, and other sources known by the institution. Students receiving state aid Students receiving federal aid
18%
Average Aid Per Year
$61,716
18%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$7,794
Average Institution Grant Aid Per Year
$57,949
6%
Average State Grant Aid Per Year
$5,540
21%
Average Federal Grant Aid Per Year
$7,794
Average Grant & Scholarship By Family Income
Total Needs Based Scholarships/Grants Total amount of grant or scholarship aid awarded to all undergraduates from the federal government, state/local government, the institution, and other sources known to the institution.
$260,106,208
Total Non-Need-Based Scholarships/Grants
$2,525,227
Student Loans
Students Borrowing Loans Loans to students - Any monies that must be repaid to the lending institution for which the student is the designated borrower. Includes all Title IV subsidized and unsubsidized loans and all institutionally- and privately-sponsored loans. Does not include PLUS and other loans made directly to parents.
20%
Average Loan Amount Per Year
$6,973
Students receiving federal loans
20%
Average Federal Loans Per Year
$4,654
Average Other Loans Per Year
$29,128
Average Debt at Graduation The median federal debt of undergraduate borrowers who graduated. This figure includes only federal loans; it excludes private student loans and Parent PLUS loans.
$14,500
Loan Default Rate
1%
US National: 7%
Median Monthly Loan Payment The median monthly loan payment for student borrowers who completed, if it were repaid over 10 years at a 5.05% interest rate.
$148
What Students Are Saying
It's an expensive school. My financial aid was great, but I imagine that the people who pay five times as much as I do still enjoy it here. It costs a lot to go here, but there are plenty of perks, like the shuttle services that go to Chicago, shopping centers in Evanston, and across the big campus (the Evanston campus is like almost mile long), the meal plans and fairly decent dining halls (there are six dining halls, but there are a lot of retail locations like Starbucks where you can use your meal plan), the nice dorm life (rooms can be small, but the buildings are nice and generally have a lot of social events)... A lot of people rationalize the price by saying that they're paying for the Northwestern name on their diplomas, but the school would probably be worth it even if it wasn't so prestigious.
Allison from Port Barrington, IL
Okay, so Northwestern is ridiculously expensive. That said, once you get an education here, you'll eventually even out the difference. Really, though, NU isn't the best at giving out financial aid, especially for people who are middle-of-the-road when it comes to finances. Unless you are really rich, really poor, or an athlete, attending here WILL put strain on your bank account. (NU doesn't give out academic scholarships.)
Lynne from Cincinnati, OH
Northwestern is definitely very expensive, and they're not extremely generous on their financial aid, either. While (most) professors here are great and the facilities amazing, they do overcharge on a lot of things, especially books (don't buy from Norris; everything's overpriced) and food (but what can you do?)
But, the food's not TOO bad, and it's all-you-can-eat.
What really matters, however, is the academics. Like I've said before, the professors here know their stuff. While they may not necessarily know how to teach well, you can always ask them questions and they can clarify. The facilities, especially the Technological Institute, are just amazing (once you figure out the maze-like layout)
But, the food's not TOO bad, and it's all-you-can-eat.
What really matters, however, is the academics. Like I've said before, the professors here know their stuff. While they may not necessarily know how to teach well, you can always ask them questions and they can clarify. The facilities, especially the Technological Institute, are just amazing (once you figure out the maze-like layout)
James from Jacksonville, FL
Northwestern has an awesome financial aid department and will make sure you can afford going to school there. They are quick with your paperwork and reply in lightning speed to your emails. They offer many scholarships and grants, federal loans, work study, and their own NU loan.
Melissa from Florida
Northwestern is expensive, I will be honest. Paying for this school is a struggle for my family, but they are willing to make the sacrifices because they know how much I love my education. It makes me sad to say that financial aid has not been great so far, but our policies seem similar to those of other private universities, so I don't know that negative financial aid experiences are unique to Northwestern.
B from RVA
rated #2 in illinois for best value, northwestern gives a ridiculously amazing educational experience that a price tag could not be placed on.
jeremy from naperville, il
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