Understanding your total estimated costs now can help you plan ahead and budget confidently.
After you apply, you'll be able to see how our various financial aid options help cover expenses and help make Northwestern affordable for everyone. Additionally, be sure to check out Payment Due Dates.
Total Cost of Attendance Estimates
These costs are set by the University and included on your quarterly invoice. Same rate for in-state or out-of-state students; charged based on your enrollment (i.e., full-time, part-time, etc.). These costs reflect a standard academic year: fall, winter and spring terms.
On-campus living cost estimates including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, personal expenses, transportation, and loan fees
Charge
Amount
Direct Costs charged by Northwestern These costs are set by the University and included on your quarterly invoice.
Full-time Tuition
$71,802
Fees
$1,260
Estimated On-Campus Housing and Meals
$22,941
Other Estimated (Indirect) Costs These expenses will not appear on your invoice from Northwestern.
Books and Supplies
$1,239
Personal Expenses
$2,079
Transportation
varies
Loan Fees
$54
Total
$99,375
Living in an Off-Campus Apartment
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Off-campus living cost estimates including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, personal expenses, transportation, and loan fees
Charge
Amount
Direct Costs charged by Northwestern These costs are set by the University and included on your quarterly invoice.
Full-time Tuition
$71,802
Fees
$1,260
Other Estimated (Indirect) Costs These expenses will not appear on your invoice from Northwestern.
Off-Campus Housing and Meals
$22,941
Books and Supplies
$1,239
Personal Expenses
$2,079
Transportation
varies
Loan Fees
$54
Total
$99,375
Being a Resident Assistant
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Resident Assistant living cost estimates including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, personal expenses, transportation, and loan fees
Charge
Amount
Direct Costs charged by Northwestern These costs are set by the University and included on your quarterly invoice.
Full-time Tuition
$71,802
Fees
$1,260
Estimated On-Campus Housing and Meals
$13,680
Other Estimated (Indirect) Costs These expenses will not appear on your invoice from Northwestern.
Books and Supplies
$1,239
Personal Expenses
$2,079
Transportation
varies
Loan Fees
$54
Total
$90,114
Living with Relatives and Commuting
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Cost estimates for living with relatives and commuting, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, personal expenses, transportation, and loan fees
Charge
Amount
Direct Costs charged by Northwestern These costs are set by the University and included on your quarterly invoice.
Full-time Tuition
$71,802
Fees
$1,260
Other Estimated (Indirect) Costs These expenses will not appear on your invoice from Northwestern.
Off-Campus Housing and Meals
$3,807
Books and Supplies
$1,239
Personal Expenses
$2,079
Transportation
varies
Loan Fees
$54
Total
$80,241
What's Included?
Direct 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.
Indirect Expenses
Indirect expenses are not paid to the university, but students and their families should still plan and budget for these costs. This category is made up of estimated expenses for books and supplies, personal expenses, off-campus housing and food, and transportation.
Financial aid can be used to help with all of these costs – not just those billed directly by the university. The complete cost of attendance, including out-of-pocket costs, is used when determining your eligibility for financial aid.
Tuition and mandatory fees are charged at the same rate for in-state or out-of-state students; charged based on your enrollment (i.e., full-time, part-time, etc.).
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.
Part-time courses (fewer than 3 units/quarter) and excess courses (more than 5.5 units/quarter) are $8,517/unit
What costs to consider: In addition to tuition and fees, students and their families should prepare for other costs during the academic year. On-campus housing and meal plans are charged directly by the university, and students can expect to see the housing and meal plan on their quarterly student bill. Off-campus housing, transportation, personal expenses, and book and supplies costs are not charged directly by the university.
Note About Indirect Spending: The values listed here are averages of student spending, or they are based on the cost of living in Evanston. Depending on your personal spending habits, your actual indirect expenses may be more or less than what is used in the Cost of Attendance.
Health plan: Students enrolling in the Northwestern student health insurance plan should account for the premium cost of $5,996 charged on the fall quarter.
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: Average cost of required course materials and school supplies; based on averages of the actual cost of purchasing some new and some used books.
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: A standard allowance for travel expenses from your home to campus.
Loan fees: If you borrow a Federal Direct Loan, your cost of attendance will include an allowance for the average origination fees.
Liaison for homeless students: In accordance with Illinois Public Act 102-0083, homeless students (defined by federal regulations and verified through institutional review) may contact the Office of Financial Aid for information and referrals for any institutional, local, state or federal resources. The liaison will help answer questions about your financial aid and also serve as intermediary for questions related to student support services, housing and other areas of campus. The liaison can also make referrals to services such as food pantries, housing options, and medical/mental health care. Since these services begin with financial aid, the designated liaison is the senior associate director for communications in the financial aid office. Please feel free to contact our office if you wish to speak with the liaison.
Costs for International Students
Along with the above costs relevant for all students at Northwestern, international students may have additional expenses relating to their visa applications. Please reference the Office of International Student and Scholar Service's site for updated costs for your particular visa type.
Additional Possible Charges
We'd like to give you a transparent and thorough understanding of charges that you might be responsible for in any given year as a Northwestern student.
Outside of the tuition and fees listed above, there are potential costs you may find on your bill during your time at Northwestern, such as field trip fees, subscription fees and fines among others. These charges are based on your activities and your specific program.