At $27,143/yr net price, Northwestern University graduates earn $89,363/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $55,363/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $27,143 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $108,572 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $89,363/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$55,363/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 95.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,243/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,373/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,485/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,059/yr |
| $110,001+ | $48,837/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $189,565 | $172,164 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Doctoral | $188,472 | |
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies. | Master | $188,472 | $81,076 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Master | $182,280 | |
| Law. | Doctoral | $170,971 | $154,286 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Master | $163,561 | $76,735 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $157,779 | |
| Engineering, Other. | Master | $141,586 | $64,256 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics. | Master | $118,465 | $45,980 |
| Community Organization and Advocacy. | Master | $113,668 | $69,011 |
The Risk Factor
95.9% of students at Northwestern University graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
Northwestern gives you a strong financial return, and the risk is low. You leave with median debt of $15,000 against median earnings near $89,000 a decade out, which is a debt load you can clear in a couple years of paychecks. A 95.9% graduation rate and 97.4% retention mean you are very likely to finish and start earning on schedule, so you are not paying for years you never complete.
The engineering and computing majors are where the money is. Computer Science graduates earn close to $98,000 while carrying under $15,000 in debt, the best cost-to-payoff ratio on the list. Computer Engineering, Information Science, Industrial Engineering, and Chemical Engineering all clear $79,000. Industrial Engineering costs you the most to earn, at $18,000 in debt, but the salary still covers it easily. If you are heading into these fields, Northwestern pays off clearly. Majors outside this list are not reported here, so if you are pursuing humanities or arts, judge the return on its own terms and do not assume the engineering numbers apply to you.
The net price tiers are the real story for families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay about $1,243 a year. Between $48,000 and $75,000, you pay roughly $6,485. But the jump above $110,000 is steep: full price runs near $48,837 a year, close to $195,000 over four years. That gap means Northwestern is a bargain if your family income is low and an expensive commitment if it is high.
This school fits you if you qualify for strong need-based aid or plan to major in a technical field near Chicago's job market. If your family earns over $110,000 and you are not in a high-paying major, run the full-price math before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwestern University worth the high cost of attendance?
Northwestern graduates earn $89,363 annually after 10 years, well above the national average, with relatively low median debt of $15,000. The strong earnings and high graduation rate of 96% help justify the cost for most students.
What Northwestern University programs offer the best return on investment?
Business programs at Northwestern lead in ROI, with business administration graduates earning around $189,565 and general business majors making $188,472 after graduation. Medical and legal programs also show strong earning potential above $170,000.
How much debt do Northwestern University students typically graduate with?
Northwestern students graduate with a median debt of just $15,000, significantly lower than many peer institutions. The school's generous financial aid helps keep debt manageable despite the high sticker price.
Does Northwestern University provide good financial aid to make it affordable?
Northwestern's net price averages $27,143 per year after aid, making it more accessible than the full cost suggests. The low median debt indicates the school meets significant portions of student financial need.