Northwestern University's published cost of attendance is $91,250, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $1,764 per year in net price — a figure that reflects Northwestern's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $91,250 |
| Tuition and Fees | $68,322 |
| Room and Board | $21,126 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,794 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$62,083 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $29,167 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $1,764 |
| $30–48k | $6,099 |
| $48–75k | $7,898 |
| $75–110k | $18,282 |
| $110k+ | $48,777 |
Northwestern University's published cost of attendance is $91,250, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $1,764 per year in net price — a figure that reflects Northwestern's commitment to meeting demonstrated financial need. Middle-income families see annual costs around $7,898, while higher-income families pay approximately $48,777. Azimuth ranks Northwestern University #813 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Northwestern's aid structure is need-based, and the university participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The gap between sticker price and what families actually pay can be substantial — particularly for low-income students — and the net price illusion is worth understanding before drawing conclusions from the published cost of attendance alone. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $15,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $26,966; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $109,275, median federal debt of $15,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $169 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Northwestern University earn median earnings of $109,275 four years after enrollment, placing Northwestern University in the 99.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs well above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $8,986 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Northwestern University in the 84.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Northwestern University #31 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Northwestern University's concentration in analytically rigorous fields. Social Sciences accounts for 19% of degrees, with Engineering at 11% and Arts at 7%. Economics combines large cohort scale with strong pay, anchoring the institution's aggregate return profile. Azimuth ranks Economics #18 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions , with 335 graduates earning median earnings of $126,006. The Radio, Television, and Digital Communication program graduates 253 students with median earnings of $51,471, and Azimuth ranks Psychology, General #7 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with 153 graduates earning median earnings of $73,646. Further down the lineup, Azimuth ranks Biology, General #22 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions and Political Science #71 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
