CAMPUS · EVANSTON, IL · PRIVATE

Northwestern University

7.1%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

Sticker Price vs What You Actually Pay

19% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Northwestern enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Full Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$20,334
Total Cost of Attendance	$91,250

What You'll Actually Pay (Net Price by Income)

After financial aid, the real cost depends on your family's income. These are average net prices for students receiving aid.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$1,764	$7,056
$30-48k	$6,099	$24,396
$48-75k	$7,898	$31,592
$75-110k	$18,282	$73,128
$110k+	$48,777	$195,108

Financial Aid & Student Debt at Northwestern University

19.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

$15,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Is Northwestern University Worth the Cost? (ROI Analysis)

$89,363

Median Earnings (10yr)

$15,000

Median Debt

6.0x

Earnings-to-Debt Ratio

A ratio above 2x generally means the investment pays off. Northwestern University — 6.0x ratio is excellent — graduates earn well relative to their debt burden.

Northwestern University True Cost by Family Income

19% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating Northwestern enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$1,764	$7,056
$30-48k	$6,099	$24,396
$48-75k	$7,898	$31,592
$75-110k	$18,282	$73,128
$110k+	$48,777	$195,108

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$20,334
Total Cost of Attendance	$91,250

Financial Aid & Student Debt

19.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$15,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$76,844

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Northwestern University Tuition & Cost FAQs

How much does Northwestern University actually cost per year?

Northwestern University's sticker price (cost of attendance) is $91,250/yr — that includes tuition, room and board, and fees. After financial aid, the average family pays just $16,564/yr, a 82% discount off sticker price.

Does Northwestern University offer good financial aid?

19% of Northwestern University students receive Pell Grants (federal need-based aid). Most US colleges including Northwestern University also award institutional grants on top of federal aid — apply via FAFSA, plus the CSS Profile if Northwestern University requires it.

What income bracket pays the least at Northwestern University?

Families earning under $30,000/yr typically pay around $1,764/yr at Northwestern University after financial aid, while families earning over $110,000/yr pay closer to $48,777/yr. The full breakdown by income bracket is in the True Cost table above.

Is Northwestern University worth the cost?

Northwestern University graduates earn a median of $89,363 10 years post-graduation. Against a 4-year sticker cost of about $365,000 (less for most families with aid), grads typically recoup the investment within several years of work.