2025-26 Admitted Student International Student Cost of Attendance

Undergraduate Student Budgets 2025-26 For Admitted International Aid Recipients

Notes:

• Tuition and fees are subject to change based on non-full-time enrollment.
• These costs reflect a standard academic year: fall, winter and spring terms.
• Review the 2-year live-on requirement for all incoming undergraduate students.

The Evanston undergraduate cost of attendance for international students includes:

• Tuition and mandatory fees: Same rate for in-state or out-of-state students; charged based on your enrollment (i.e., full-time, part-time, etc.).
• Housing and meals: Based on the average cost of an on-campus double room and unlimited meal plan; same amount is used for students living in off-campus apartments.
• Books and supplies: Cost of supplies for the year. Information on obtaining your required books will be provided later.
• Personal expenses: Incidentals and living expenses, such as clothing, toiletries, entertainment, social activity dues, and other variable expenses. The estimate is based on research of standard costs; individual spending decisions will vary.
• Transportation: Your financial aid includes one round trip flight per year, which we will book and pay for you. This does not appear on your financial aid notice. For Northwestern's winter recess, you will have the option to either have us book an additional flight home and back to campus or you can select the continuous housing option on your housing application, which will allow you to stay in your residence hall during recess. You will need to decide which option you prefer at the time you submit your housing application.

Direct and Indirect Costs

The Cost of Attendance consists of both Direct and Indirect costs. Direct Costs are the costs related to your education that are billed directly by the University for each term of the academic year and include tuition, university housing, meal plans and fees. 

For indirect expenses, you will not receive a bill from the university, but these out-of-pocket costs are taken into account when determining your eligibility for financial aid. Indirect Costs are estimated educational expenses that you can be reasonably expected to pay during the academic year but are not reflected on the invoices issued by the University. They include expenses such as Books and Supplies, Personal Expenses, and Transportation/Travel and are included in your Cost of Attendance budget that the University uses to determine your aid package. The indirect costs that are used are averages or based on the cost of living in Evanston to help you plan for your expenses while enrolled – depending on your personal spending habits your actual indirect expenses may be more or less than what is used in the Cost of Attendance.