Private nonprofit · Evanston, Illinois
Northwestern University: cost, debt and earnings by major
79 programs with reported graduate earnings. Click one for net cost, payback and 10-year return.
- Average net price, all families
- $34,420
- AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
- Odds of finishing
- 96%
- Within 150% of normal time · Fall 2019 or AcadYr 2019-20 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26
- Admission rate
- 8%
- Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Undergraduates
- 9,201
- Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Median debt of graduates
- $17,017
- NSLDS FY2024, FY2025 pooled cohorts
- Borrowers in default after 2 years
- ≤ 1%
- NSLDS AY2016-17, AY2017-18 pooled cohorts measured in 2018-2019, 2019-2020
Net price by family income
| $0–30,000 | $1,427 |
|---|---|
| $30,001–48,000 | $7,536 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $8,811 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $18,954 |
| $110,000+ | $56,074 |
What families paid per year after grants, AcadYr 2024-25, reported in IPEDS DCY2025-26.
Bachelor's programs (31)
- Information Science/Studies$163,740
- Computer Science$155,106
- Applied Mathematics$148,740
- Industrial Engineering$138,720
- Economics$126,006
- Statistics$122,682
- Chemical Engineering$111,040
- Human Resources Management and Services$108,498
- Mathematics$107,072
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering$102,994
- Mechanical Engineering$98,277
- Manufacturing Engineering$97,819
- Communication and Media Studies$93,541
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities$93,180
- Community Organization and Advocacy$84,712
- Journalism$80,258
- History$78,966
- Public Policy Analysis$78,752
- Sociology$75,267
- International Relations and National Security Studies$74,477
- Psychology, General$73,646
- Political Science and Government$73,231
- Biology, General$71,181
- Psychology, Other$62,905
- English Language and Literature, General$62,147
- Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$59,372
- Neurobiology and Neurosciences$54,279
- Music$53,875
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$51,471
- Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$49,316
- Natural Resources Conservation and Research$38,053 (1 yr)
Post-baccalaureate certificate programs (1)
Master's programs (34)
- Business Administration, Management and Operations$244,399
- Business/Commerce, General$240,637
- Engineering, Other$211,469
- Computer Science$197,823
- Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies$189,578
- Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods$180,186
- Community Organization and Advocacy$168,632
- Information Science/Studies$141,026
- Engineering-Related Fields$136,480
- Sustainability Studies$132,539 (1 yr)
- Medical Illustration and Informatics$132,068
- Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions$130,944
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians$129,403
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other$126,571
- Science Technologies/Technicians, Other$125,048
- Communication and Media Studies$116,101
- Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$116,019
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General$110,591
- Legal Professions and Studies, Other$102,193
- Public Administration$98,798
- Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication$96,250
- Biomedical/Medical Engineering$95,167
- Biotechnology$91,880 (1 yr)
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions$85,999
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions$83,218
- Public Health$82,202
- Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness$82,178
- Educational Administration and Supervision$78,655
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$71,781
- Journalism$70,715
- Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management$69,411
- Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education$65,919
- Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology$60,758
- Music$34,062
Doctoral programs (9)
- Materials Engineering$150,801 (1 yr)
- Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences$117,797
- Chemistry$116,234
- Communication Disorders Sciences and Services$91,009
- Biology, General$82,806 (1 yr)
- Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions$82,633
- Psychology, General$71,819
- History$70,118
- Music$66,572
First professional programs (3)
- Law$291,132
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies$155,436
- Medicine$94,158
Graduate certificate programs (1)
- Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies$139,000 (1 yr)