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The real 4-year cost of Northwestern University
Over the 18 years from 2008 to 2026, published tuition and required fees at Northwestern University went from $37,125 to $73,062, an average of 3.7% a year. The 2026–27 figure is the school's own announced rate.
2026–27 rate announced: $73,062Tuition $71,802 + fees $1,260 (health/activity/athletics).source
2008–2030: history and projection
If you pay full sticker
Projected tuition + fees, entering fall 2026.
| Year 1 | $73,062 |
| Year 2 | $75,758 |
| Year 3 | $78,553 |
| Year 4 | $81,451 |
| 4-year total | $308,823 |
Two aid scenarios
4-year out-of-pocket total.
- $10,000/yr flat scholarship
- $268,823
- Flat aid doesn't grow, so it covers less each year.
- 50%-of-tuition scholarship
- $157,009
- Percentage aid keeps pace with tuition.
Run your own numbers
Enter your actual scholarship offer to see your real 4-year total.
See my 4-year cost at Northwestern University