Northwestern sets costs for 2020-2021

Northwestern University set its undergraduate tuition, fees, and room and board charges for the 2020-2021 academic year. Overall, the cost for undergraduates who do not receive financial aid will increase 3.5%.

Undergraduate tuition will increase to $58,227 for the 2020-2021 academic year from the current year’s $56,232. Student activity and athletic fees will increase to $273, while the student health fee will remain unchanged at $201. Standard room and board rates will increase 3.5% to $17,616 for an undergraduate student with a full meal plan option. With tuition, room and board and all fees, the total cost for undergraduates in 2020-2021 will come to $76,317.

The University expects undergraduates to receive $245 million in aid in 2020-2021, an increase of more than 5% over the current year total. The additional aid will allow Northwestern to provide increased funds for students with demonstrated need and also will further support students from middle-income families. More than 60% of Northwestern’s undergraduate students receive financial aid.

The amount of undergraduate financial aid provided annually has grown significantly in recent years, increasing by more than 25% since 2017-18.

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, the University will continue its policy, which began in 2016, that all students who receive financial aid will have their need met without loans as part of their financial aid package. Their financial need will be met only with a combination of grants, scholarships, summer earnings expectations and a work-study opportunity.