Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
Northwestern University is a private national university located in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern University is extremely selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at Northwestern University is in the top 10% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $80,033 10 years after enrolling, 1st in Illinois, and in the top 5% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, Northwestern University bachelor students earn 23% more than the national average. Northwestern University is ranked 2nd in Illinois.
Northwestern University’s median net annual cost of $23,279 and average years to graduate of 4.2 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at Northwestern University sorted by number of graduates - Broadcast & Digital Comms, Economics, Comms & Media Studies, Computer Science, Biology, Drama - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$23,279
Average years to graduate
4.2
Industrial Engineering
Rank: #13
Economic score: 1.15
Community Org & Advocacy
Rank: #1
Economic score: 1.23
Computer Systems Analysis
Rank: #8
Economic score: 1.28
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #115
Economic score: 1.58
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
Rank: #31
Economic score: 1.72
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #48
Economic score: 2.52
Psychology
Rank: #133
Economic score: 2.87
History
Rank: #47
Economic score: 3.38
Public Policy Analysis
Rank: #14
Economic score: 4.65
Music
Rank: #94
Economic score: 14.41
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at Northwestern University - Quantitative methods Mgmt., Business Administration, Clinical / Counseling Psych, Engineering, Other, Comms & Media Studies, Legal Professions and Studies, Other - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Computer Systems Analysis
Rank: #13
Economic score: 0.32
Public Administration
Rank: #44
Economic score: 0.45
Advertising & PR
Rank: #8
Economic score: 0.46
Health & Fitness
Rank: #40
Economic score: 0.51
Public Health
Rank: #109
Economic score: 0.9
Therapeutic professions
Rank: #146
Economic score: 1.4
Music
Rank: #82
Economic score: 1.8
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Rank: #19
Economic score: 1.95
Communication disorder sciences
Rank: #228
Economic score: 1.99
Mental & Social Health Services
Rank: #171
Economic score: 2.12
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.2 years. 94% of all students graduate within 8 years. The graduation rate at Northwestern University is 29% higher than the state average, and 27% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At Northwestern University, Pell Grant recipients represent 19% of the measured graduating class, 16% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at Northwestern University graduates within 4.3 years.
Northwestern University is in the top 50% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
Northwestern University’s economic mobility score of 18.94 is calculated by adjusting the 0.01 economic score of lower-income students by the 19% pell grant recipients within the student body. Northwestern University’s EMS of 18.94 ranks in the top 50% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 50%
The average Title IV recipient at Northwestern University pays $23,279 a year, $58,004 less than the $81,283 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $23,279
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At Northwestern University, 57% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $23,279 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 23% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $7,393. This is 31% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$4,625
Pell grants
$4,895
State grants
$5,242
Institutional grants
$48,023
Northwestern University's extremely selective admissions are indicated by their 7% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 47,636 applicants, of which 3,321 were admitted and 2,086 enrolled. Northwestern University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
100%
83%
Female
52%
59%
First time
96%
59%
In-state
25%
68%
1st generation
15%
35%
White
42%
52%
Black
6%
14%
Hispanic
13%
15%
Asian
19%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
20%
12%