EVANSTON, Ill. --- Undergraduate tuition, fees, and room and board charges at Northwestern University will increase 3.7 percent for the 2016-17 academic year. This is the lowest increase since the 2010-2011 academic year and continues a six-year trend of reducing tuition rate increases. The increase is consistent with other peer research universities, which have announced increases of up to 3.9 percent to date.
Specifically, undergraduate tuition will increase 3.7 percent to $50,424 for the 2016-2017 academic year from the current year’s $48,624. Student activity and athletic fees will increase 3.7 percent while the student health fee will remain unchanged. Standard room and board rates will increase 3.7 percent to $15,489 from $14,936 for an undergraduate student living in a double room with a full meal plan option. Approximately 3,600 of Northwestern’s 8,300 undergraduate students live in University residence halls.
Over the last five years, Northwestern has increased financial aid for undergraduate students at a rate of 8.5 percent annually. The University will provide more than $161 million in aid to undergraduates in 2016-2017, an increase of 5.9 percent over the current year total of $152 million. The additional aid will allow Northwestern to provide increased funds for students from low-income families and will also further support students from middle-income families. Approximately half of Northwestern’s undergraduate students receive financial aid from the University.
Beginning next fall, all entering first-year students will be awarded aid packages without any loans. Their aid offers will include only grants, scholarships, summer earnings expectations and a work-study job opportunity. The all-grant package will enable students to graduate without incurring debt for their main educational expenses. Northwestern also will award the Debt Cap Scholarship to returning students who have need-based loans in excess of $20,000. Eligible students will be awarded the Debt Cap Scholarship in place of the loan component of their financial aid award.
Northwestern will continue its policy of “need-blind” admission for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, in which a student’s ability to pay is not considered during the admission process.
In addition to fully meeting the growing financial aid needs of students, the additional tuition revenue will enhance investments in Student Enrichment Services, diversity and inclusion initiatives, the Office of Career Advancement, undergraduate summer internships, research, leadership and civic engagement programs, and academic mentoring and advising. The revenue also supports Northwestern’s efforts to attract and retain exemplary and diverse faculty who are leaders in teaching and research, and improvements in the physical and technological infrastructure needed to sustain academic programs and improve the student experience. Investments are being made in academic buildings, student housing, and athletic and recreational facilities that will support the students and Northwestern University community well into the future.
Graduate school tuition also will increase by 3.7 percent to $50,424 next year. Tuition and fees for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, the Kellogg School of Management and the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law are currently being reviewed.