How much does Northwestern University tuition cost?
The 2025 tuition & fees of Northwestern University is $68,322 and the 2025 graduate school tuition & fees is $54,655. Its undergraduate tuition & fees is much higher than the average tuition for R1 Universities' tuition of $39,763.
Based on the last year increase rate, The 2026 estimated tuition & fees at Northwestern is $70,729 for Illinois residents and $70,729 for out-of-state students, a 3.5% increase compared to 2025's rate.
Northwestern 2025 Tuition & Fees
| Year | Tuition & Fees | R1 Universities' Average |
|---|
| 2023-2024 | $65,997 | $38,374 |
| 2024-2025 | $68,322 | $39,763 |
| Change % 2024-2025 | 3.52% | 3.62% |
| 2025-2026 Estimate | $70,729 | $41,202 |
How much do you actually pay at Northwestern?
The living costs at Northwestern is $24,762 and it is increased by 4.89% compared to the previous year for both on-campus and off-campus stay.
The Northwestern's 2025 COA is $94,878 for on-campus living and off-campus COA is $94,878.
52% of enrolled students have received grants or scholarships, and the average aid amount is $59,150. It could cover 86.58% of the full tuition amount.
After receiving the financial aid, the net price is $35,728.
Northwestern University 2025 Cost of Attendance (COA) | On-Campus | Off-Campus |
|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $68,322 |
|---|
| Room & Board | $21,126 | $21,126 |
|---|
| Personal Expenses | $3,636 | $3,636 |
|---|
| Books & Supplies | $1,794 |
|---|
| COA | $94,878 | $94,878 |
|---|
| COA with Financial Aid | $35,728 | $35,728 |
|---|
Northwestern 4-Years Tuition
How Much is Northwestern tuition for 4 years?
Northwestern's 4-years tuition is $279,150, based on current tuition and change rate.
Since the tuition & fees at Northwestern University have risen very slightly (very lower than national average) over the last 4 years, the actual costs may differ from the estimation based on the school or University system's new tuition policy.
Northwestern 4 Years Tuition & Fees Estimates
| Admission Year | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total |
|---|
| Class of 2029 | Fall 2025 | $68,903 | $69,489 | $70,081 | $70,677 | $279,150 |
|---|
| Class of 2030 | Fall 2026 | $69,489 | $70,081 | $70,677 | $71,278 | $281,525 |
|---|
| Class of 2031 | Fall 2027 | $70,081 | $70,677 | $71,278 | $71,885 | $283,920 |
|---|
| Class of 2032 | Fall 2028 | $70,677 | $71,278 | $71,885 | $72,496 | $286,336 |
|---|
| Class of 2033 | Fall 2029 | $71,278 | $71,885 | $72,496 | $73,113 | $288,772 |
|---|
Net Price for 4 Years at Northwestern
Based on recent tuition increase rate, for the students who were admitted in Fall 2025, the estimated 4-years COA is $388,570.
Northwestern 4 Years COA
| Admission Year | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total |
|---|
| Class of 2029 | Fall 2025 | $95,775 | $96,681 | $97,595 | $98,519 | $388,570 |
|---|
| Class of 2030 | Fall 2026 | $96,681 | $97,595 | $98,519 | $99,451 | $392,246 |
|---|
| Class of 2031 | Fall 2027 | $97,595 | $98,519 | $99,451 | $100,393 | $395,958 |
|---|
| Class of 2032 | Fall 2028 | $98,519 | $99,451 | $100,393 | $101,343 | $399,705 |
|---|
| Class of 2033 | Fall 2029 | $99,451 | $100,393 | $101,343 | $102,303 | $403,490 |
|---|
Actual COA after Receiving Financial Aid
After receiving the financial aid, the net price for 4 years of attending the school is $151,970.
Northwestern 4 Years COA after Receiving Financial Aid
| Admission Year | Freshmen | Sophomore | Junior | Senior | 4 Years Total |
|---|
| Class of 2029 | Fall 2025 | $36,625 | $37,531 | $38,445 | $39,369 | $151,970 |
|---|
| Class of 2030 | Fall 2026 | $37,531 | $38,445 | $39,369 | $40,301 | $155,646 |
|---|
| Class of 2031 | Fall 2027 | $38,445 | $39,369 | $40,301 | $41,243 | $159,358 |
|---|
| Class of 2032 | Fall 2028 | $39,369 | $40,301 | $41,243 | $42,193 | $163,105 |
|---|
| Class of 2033 | Fall 2029 | $40,301 | $41,243 | $42,193 | $43,153 | $166,890 |
|---|
Northwestern's Graduate Tuition
The graduate school tuition at Northwestern University is $54,655. Detailed graduate program tuition and majors can be found at Northwestern graduate program page.
Northwestern University has law school and medical school and their tuition is different from other graduate programs, usually higher. The law school tuition is $83,938. See the detailed law school tuition at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law page.
The medical school tuition is $78,901. See the detailed medical school tuition at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine page.
Northwestern Graduate Tuition & Fees
| Year | Gradaute Tuition & Fees |
|---|
| 2023-2024 | $53,871 |
| 2024-2025 | $54,655 |
| Change % 2024-2025 | 1.46% |
|---|
| 2025-2026 | $55,450 |
Tuition Per Credit Hour
For part-time and/or full-time students who take additional credits at Northwestern is $7,960. The graduate tuition per credit hour is $7,935.
Per Credit Hour Charge at Northwestern
| Year | Tuition Per Credit Hour |
|---|
| Undergraduate | 2023-2024 | $7,690 |
|---|
| 2024-2025 | $7,960 |
|---|
| 2025-2026 (Estimate) | $8,239 |
|---|
| Graduate | 2023-2024 | $7,667 |
|---|
| 2024-2025 | $7,935 |
|---|
| 2025-2026 (Estimate) | $8,212 |
|---|
Northwestern Tuition Charts
The following charts visualize tuition, fees, living costs, and other expenses at Northwestern. You can enlarge the chart to view detailed information.
Compare Tuition with Similar Colleges
The following table compares tuition & fees between Northwestern University and its similar schools.
Tuition Comparison between Northwestern and Similar Colleges
| In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|
| Northwestern University | $68,322 |
|---|
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | $18,848 | $63,081 |
|---|
| Rutgers University-New Brunswick | $17,929 | $37,441 |
|---|
| The Pennsylvania State University | $15,890 | $25,574 |
|---|
| Purdue University-Main Campus | $9,992 | $28,794 |
|---|
| Michigan State University | $18,079 | $44,850 |
|---|
Northwestern Tuition Frequently Asked Questions
For the academic year 2024-2025, the undergraduate tuition & fees at Northwestern are $68,322 for all students.
The total cost of attendance (COA) at Northwestern for the academic year 2024-2025 includes tuition & fees, books & supplies, and living expenses. For in-state students, the estimated COA is $94,878 per year. Actual costs may vary depending on housing choices and personal expenses.
The 2025 undergraduate tuition has been risen by 3.52% compared to the previous year. The graduate tuition has been risen by 1.46% compared to the previous year.
52% of Northwestern undergraduates receive grants or scholarships, with an average aid amount of $59,150 per student. Additional financial aid options are available through Northwestern's financial aid office.
The projected 4-year cost for a degree is approximately $388,570. The tuition and fees are around $70,677 per year, totaling about $279,150 over four years.
Northwestern charges $7,960 per credit hour for all undergraduates. Graduate students pay $7,935 per credit hour.
The undergraduate tuition at Northwestern is about the same as the average for similar schools ($66,276 - private (not-for-profit) Research University (very high research activity)).The graduate tuition at Northwestern is about the same as the average for similar schools ($54,837 - private (not-for-profit) Research University (very high research activity)).