Top Colleges

  • University Of Maryland Global Campus
  • Liberty University
  • Grand Canyon University
  • Western Governors University
  • University Of Phoenix
  • View All Online Colleges

Degree Types

  • Associates
  • Bachelors
  • Masters
  • International Students
  • View all Online Degrees

Lifestyle

  • Career Advancement
  • Working Professional

Top Majors

  • Nursing
  • Cyber Security
  • Business
  • Computer Science
  • Finance
  • View all Majors

Studying Abroad

  • U.S. Students Studying Abroad
  • 2025 Study Abroad Costs
  • Applying To College Abroad
  • Advice & Preparation
  • View all international content

Studying in U.S.

  • Guide To Studying In The USA
  • Getting A Student Visa
Colleges
🎓
Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA
Scholarships
💰
STEM Excellence Scholarship$$5,000
Majors
📘
Computer Science
Browse Colleges
Browse Colleges

Content

  • Scholarships
  • Colleges
  • International Students
  • Online Education
  • Majors
  • Degrees

Resources

  • Articles

Company & Legal

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • AI Disclaimer

© 2025 Tuition Covered. All Rights Reserved.
OverviewTuition & CostsReturn on EducationAdmissionsMajors & DegreesStudentsReviews
  1. Colleges
  2. Catalog
  3. Northwestern University

Estimated Net Cost
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$24k

Estimated Post Grad Salary
Average for college across all majors
 

(per year)
$84k

Return on Education

(post 4-year graduation)
Excellent
Northwestern University is a private university located in Evanston, Illinois, founded in 1851. Known for its strong programs in journalism, communication, and business, Northwestern University is highly regarded for its academic excellence and research opportunities. One unique aspect of the university is its beautiful lakefront campus along Lake Michigan.

Pros

  • Strong academic reputation

  • Diverse student body

  • Access to Chicago's resources

  • Robust alumni network

Cons

  • High cost of attendance

  • Intense academic pressure

  • Limited campus nightlife

  • Cold winters

Tuition and Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at Northwestern University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at Northwestern University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Most Recent Tuition Costs

Understanding Tuition Costs at Northwestern University: Navigating college expenses doesn't have to be complicated. Our comprehensive guide to tuition, fees, and other associated costs breaks down everything you need to know about financing your education at Northwestern University. Find out how we make higher education affordable and what financial options are available to you.

Yearly4 years
Tuition and Fees
Average Tuition, including fees before grants and scholarships.
 
$65,997$263,988
Room and Board
This is the average, based on staying on-campus
 
$20,334$81,336
Books and Supplies
The expenditure on books and supplies for an average student at Northwestern University
 
$1,686$6,744
Other expenses
The amount of money (estimated by the financial aid office at Northwestern University) needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings.
 
$3,273$13,092
Sticker Price$91,290$365,160

Historical Tuition Costs

Based on historical data, in-state tuition is expected to rise by approximately $1,773 per year over the next three years, reaching $65,783 in 2024, and $67,555 in 2025, and $69,328 in 2026.

Return On Education

Admissions

Northwestern University admissions is highly selective with an acceptance rate of 7%. The application deadline can be found on the institution's website.
7%Admission Rate
96%Graduation Rate

Admissions Requirements

SAT Range
1490 - 1570
ACT Range33 - 35
High School GPA

N/A

Key dates

Application DeadlineSee college website
Early Decision DateSee college website
Early Action DateSee college website

Majors & Degrees

Explore the range of academic programs offered at this institution.
SciencesBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Professional
⌄
Information Studies•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Plant Biology•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Cellular Biology•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Neurobiology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Biomedical Sciences•Undergraduate Certificate, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Biological & Physical Sciences•Bachelor's Degree
System Science & Theory•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
Behavioral Sciences•Doctoral Degree – Other
Cognitive Science•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Economics•Undergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Astronomy•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Geology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Material Sciences•Bachelor's Degree
Psychology•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Social Sciences•Undergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Urban Studies•Bachelor's Degree
TechnicianMaster's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
EngineeringUndergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Chemical Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Civil Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Computer Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Electrical Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Mechanical Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Physics Engineering•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Science Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Environmental Engineering•Bachelor's Degree
Material Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Industrial Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Manufacturing Engineering•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
Biotechnology•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
HistoryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Medieval Studies•Doctoral Degree – Other
Multicultural & Diversity Studies•Doctoral Degree – Research
Political Science•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Cartography•Bachelor's Degree
Real EstateMaster's Degree
HumanitiesMaster's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
International Studies•Doctoral Degree – Other
LinguisticsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
East Asian Languages, Literatures & Linguistics•Bachelor's Degree
Slavic Languages, Literatures & Linguistics•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
German•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Romance Languages, Literatures & Linguistics•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Middle East•Bachelor's Degree
Classic Languages, Literatures & Linguisitics•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
EducationBachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Education Administration•Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
Education Assessment•Bachelor's Degree
Special Education•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Teaching•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Physical Education•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
HealthUndergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Heath Sciences•Master's Degree
Adminstrative Services•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
Health Preparation•Undergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Rehabilitation•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Professional, Doctoral Degree – Other
Medical Illustration•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
LawDoctoral Degree – Professional
⌄
Legal Studies•Undergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Professional, Doctoral Degree – Other
Liberal ArtsUndergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
BiologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology•Doctoral Degree – Research
Biomathematics•Master's Degree
Ecology•Bachelor's Degree
MathematicsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
⌄
Applied Mathematics•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Statistics•Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
AccountingUndergraduate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
ChemistryBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
PhysicsBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
AnthropologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
SociologyBachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
DentistryMaster's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
MedicalUndergraduate Certificate, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree
⌄
Medicine•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Professional
Mental Health•Master's Degree
BusinessUndergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Professional, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Business Managerial Economics•Undergraduate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Finance•Undergraduate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
Human Resource Management•Bachelor's Degree, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research, Doctoral Degree – Other
International Business•Master's Degree
Marketing•Master's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Research
EntrepreneurshipUndergraduate Certificate, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree
ManagementMaster's Degree, Doctoral Degree – Other
⌄
Management Information Systems (MIS)•Master's Degree

Student Life

Learn about the community, campus culture, and experiences that shape student life at this college.

Student Breakdown

Total Enrollment2,111
Full-time Students2,111
Part-time StudentsN/A

Faculty

Faculty-Student Ratio:6:1
Full-Time FacultyN/A
Part-Time FacultyN/A

Reviews and Ratings

For complete transparency we combine scores from across the web to give you a true picture of what students think about Northwestern University. Additionally, we have our own score which can be used alongside these external sources.

Tuition Covered Rating
(4.4)
Niche
(3.7)
US News
(4.6)

Other Colleges

Roosevelt University

IL
Explore further

Ambria College of Nursing

IL
Explore further

DeVry University-Illinois

IL
Explore further

Illinois State University

IL
Explore further

Aurora University

IL
Explore further

Investing in higher education is a pivotal step towards future prosperity. It's essential to weigh the upfront costs against the potential for increased lifetime earnings and career opportunities. Our ROEdu score aims to help you understand tuition, living expenses, and financial aid, alongside the long-term benefits of earning a degree. By making informed decisions about where and what you study, you can maximize the return on your educational investment, turning the cost of your degree into a foundation for future success and financial security.

RoEDU
999
Northwestern University stands in the premier league, positioned within the top institutions for return on education, delivering unparalleled value and setting its graduates on a path to remarkable success.

Northwestern University

Private
Evanston, IL
City