College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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Can You Afford Northwestern University?

Concerned about paying for college? Take a look at Northwestern’s financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and student loans, then calculate the net price based on your income level to determine if you can afford to attend this school.

2020 - 2021 Costs Between $8,519 and $81,283

Feeling a little stressed about paying $81,283 to attend Northwestern University each year? This number can be deceiving, and for many, the net price you pay will be less.

While there is no tuition reduction for Illinois students, 56.9% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with the average amount totaling $48,438. Students from low-income families receive an average of $72,764 in aid during their first year.

Cost (no aid)

Tuition and fees$58,701
+ Room and board$17,616
+ Other expenses$4,966
Total cost$81,283
Affordability Score (0 out of 100)
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Net Price (with average aid)

Total cost$81,283
- Grants and scholarships$48,438
Net price$32,845
Affordability Score (16 out of 100)
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Average Net Price for Low Income Undergraduates

Total cost$81,283
- Grants and scholarships$72,764
Net price$8,519
Affordability Score (95 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Learn more about tuition and fees, room, board and other expenses, and financial aid options at Northwestern.

Projected Costs Between $13,640 and $507,168 For a Four Year Degree. Between $8,649 and $244,815 For a Two Year Degree.

Looking at the total projected cost of a college education over the course of two / four (or more) years can feel a little overwhelming. However, doing so will help better prepare you for the financial commitment you are making.

The overall cost for on-campus students to attend Northwestern in 2020 - 2021 was $81,283. To calculate future costs, we looked at the prior five years of data and determined that this cost increased an average of 3.5% each year. If this trend continues, we expect the full cost for incoming freshmen to be $87,106 during their first year. By their senior year, that cost will be approximately $96,632 for a bachelor degree candidate ($90,172 for an associate degree candidate) for a total of $367,256 over the course of four years ($177,278 over the course of two years). These numbers do not take into consideration financial aid, which reduces this overall cost by varying amounts per student.

Remember, the full costs quoted above are not what most students will pay, and the net price varies quite a bit based on individual circumstances.

Average Net Price at Northwestern University

Cost With Interest

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*5.2%3.5%
Freshman year$4,915$36,322$87,106
Senior year$3,734$38,196$90,172
Total 2-year net price$8,649$74,518$177,278
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$3,295$28,389$67,536
Total monthly payment$100$858$2,040
Total amount paid$11,944$102,907$244,815
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*5.2%3.5%
Freshman year$4,915$36,322$87,106
Senior year$2,154$42,240$96,632
Total 4-year net price$13,640$156,925$367,256
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$5,196$59,783$139,911
Total monthly payment$157$1,806$4,226
Total amount paid$18,836$216,708$507,168

Visit net price and financial aid to learn more about the total cost of attending Northwestern University.

Further Questions to Consider

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