Evanston, Illinois
Private
Admissions Policies
Deposit & decision deadline (class of 2024)
May 1
Test-optional admissions ('20-'21)
Yes
Northwestern University offers need-based financial aid to its incoming students. Although they recognize other outside scholarships based on merit, this university dedicates itself to providing financial aid packages to students by meeting their full demonstrated financial need.
Northwestern’s Undergraduate Financial Aid Office provides need-based aid and it is usually renewable up to four or five years (depending upon a student’s co-op status). Students who wish to be considered for financial aid at Northwestern University must complete the CSS and FAFSA form by the posted deadlines. Students may be awarded a combination of need-based scholarships, federal and state grants, loans, and/or federal work-study opportunities. On-campus there are plenty of federal work-study jobs. Students who do not qualify for work-study jobs can look for jobs to earn extra money through Quad Jobs.
Additional financial aid resources include outside scholarships that students can apply for. Veteran financial aid and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarships are available to qualified students. Students interested in studying abroad, pursuing summer aid opportunities,
resident assistant financial aid needs, co-op student financial aid needs, or transfer students may also have assistance available to them. International first-year students are eligible for need-based aid and have the opportunity to have aid for subsequent years of attendance, although transfer international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid
The Undergraduate Financial Aid Office provides links to Frequently Asked Questions, a Financial Aid-related Glossary Page, and a Financial Aid Brochure in PDF form. Students are also able to link to a net price calculator, helpful tax information, student consumer information and resources providing information on financial regulations, consumer protection and other community resources for students and a WildCard Advantage Program that partners with local websites and businesses to offer discounts to Northwestern University students. Students can manage their aid and monitor their accounts through the use of CAESAR, its online student portal.
Graduate financial aid is available to graduate students with some colleges (such as the Medill and Kellogg Colleges offering their own graduate level financial aid).
Northwestern University’s Financial Wellness initiative to educate students and alumni on matters related to becoming and remaining financially well. The Financial Wellness Page contains four primary areas of wellness and education. There is also a link to a comprehensive financial wellness resource list. The four primary resource areas are:
Money 101 with information on budgeting, money management, banking, credit cards, etc. Financial Planning is the next section and includes articles and topics on taxes, housing, loans, living off campus, and job searching.
The Student Loan Management section contains resources and articles on student loans. Nearly everything you would need to know about borrowing and repayment can be found either on this page or through a link provided in this section.
The Saving in College section is dedicated to college students currently navigating the ins and outs of financing their education on an everyday basis including information on buying books, student employment, computer savings, and commuting.
The Financial Wellness Initiative sponsors ongoing events on campus including a recurring Financial Wellness Wednesdays. Events are generally free, but may require pre-registration or RSVP. Other topics include budgeting, loans, financial aid management, living off-campus, and scholarships to name a few.
The total cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses.
Tuition (in-state)
$56,691
Tuition (out-of-state)
$56,691
Room and board
$17,019
Books and supplies
$1,638
Fees
$447
Other
$3,251
The average student pays this amount per year.
Percentage of freshman students who receive some form of financial aid.
This school's financial aid meets 100 % of student's demonstrated need.
The average Northwestern University merit scholarship for students without financial need
of Northwestern University students without financial need receive a merit scholarship
Northwestern University does not award merit scholarships directly and only provides full demonstrated need financial aid packages to its students. Although this institution does not award merit scholarships, it does allow and sponsor National Merit Scholarships for those that apply. Also, the Bienen School of Music does award talent-based scholarships based on auditions.
Very few students pay the full price. Here's the average cost for students in different income brackets:
Resources
Endowment (2019)
$11,091,516,000
Endowment per enrolled student (FTE)
$554,576
Share of Students Studying Online (Graduate and Undergraduate)
Likelihood that a student moved up two or more income quintiles.
Percent of first-time students receiving Pell Grants.
This is lower than the national average 31.0%
Relative to the market of potential students
Underrepresented
Black
Hispanic
White
Representative
Native American
Hawaiian
Multi-racial
Overrepresented
Asian
The average student takes out this amount in student loans.
The percentage of students that repay their loans within 5 years.
The percentage of students that repay their loans within 7 years.
The percentage of families that default on their loans after 3 years.
After graduation, here's how the average salary of a Northwestern University graduate grows over time:
SAT range:
1430 - 1550
ACT range:
33 - 35
Application fee:
$75
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The data and analysis above is sourced from the following reliable third party sources:
For more information, visit our Data page.
Our Financial Health information is designed to provide you with financial data on the private colleges you are considering. Our Post-Covid Resiliency Ratings are based on a data model described in more detail here as well as information from the independent third party sources we list above. Keep in mind, there may be additional public or private data which may make a college or university more or less financially resilient. We recommend that you request the most current financial information from the college or university you are considering so that you will have the most complete and current information available while evaluating the financial health of the institution and to inform your decision making process. All information and data we provide on this site is for informational purposes only and is not an endorsement, guarantee or other recommendation, whether favorable or unfavorable, regarding a particular institution. We make no representation or warranty regarding the information, all of which is provided free of charge and for informational purposes only.