For the academic year 2024-2025, Northwestern's tuition & fees is $68,322 for first-year students. Compared to similar schools, its Northwestern's tuition is quite high. The average tuition of the schools is $41,177.
The average tuition of similar schools to Northwestern is higher than 4-year colleges' average, which is $25,541 in 2025.
Northwestern University has the most expensive tuition & fees of $68,322 and The Pennsylvania State University has the lowest tuition & fees of $25,574 among the schools.
The average itemized cost for schools similar to Northwestern is as follows:
The following table compares 2025 tuition, fees, and other colleges expenses between Northwestern and similar schools to it. You can compare these schools on a variety of aspects at college comparison page.
| School Name | Tuition & Fees | Cost Per Credit Hour | Books & Supplies | Living Costs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | In-State | Out-of-State | On Campus | Off Campus | ||
| University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL | $18,267 | $40,096 | $595 | $1,087 | $1,200 | $14,522 | - |
| Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL | $68,322 | $7,960 | $1,794 | $21,126 | $21,126 | ||
| Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN | $12,144 | $41,891 | $332 | $1,262 | $1,250 | $13,984 | $13,984 |
| University of IowaIowa City, IA | $11,283 | $33,371 | $387 | $1,037 | $950 | $12,920 | $12,920 |
| University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI | $18,848 | $63,081 | $738 | $2,581 | $1,158 | $15,328 | $15,328 |
| Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI | $18,079 | $44,850 | $580 | $1,472 | $1,380 | $12,564 | $12,564 |
| University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN | $17,214 | $38,362 | $583 | $1,396 | $1,000 | $13,856 | $15,680 |
| University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE | $10,434 | $28,584 | $277 | $888 | $1,100 | $14,120 | $14,120 |
| Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH | $13,244 | $40,022 | $508 | $1,623 | $1,030 | $14,738 | $13,814 |
| Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN | $9,992 | $28,794 | $348 | $948 | $1,070 | $12,820 | $12,820 |
| The Pennsylvania State UniversityUniversity Park, PA | $15,890 | $25,574 | - | - | - | - | - |
| Average | $14,540 | $41,177 | $483 | $2,025 | $1,193 | $14,598 | $14,706 |