Tuition, financial aid set for 2021-22 academic year

Northwestern University has set its undergraduate tuition, fees, and room and board charges for the 2021-2022 academic year. Overall, the cost for undergraduates who do not receive financial aid will increase 3.6%, while financial aid will increase by more than 8%. 

Undergraduate tuition will increase to $60,276 for the 2021-2022 academic year from the current year’s $58,227. Student activity fees will increase to $225, health fees will increase to $207 and athletic fees will remain flat at $60. Standard room and board rates will increase 3.7% to $18,264 for an undergraduate student with a full meal plan option. With tuition, room and board and all fees, the total cost for undergraduates in 2021-2022 will come to $79,302.

The University expects undergraduates to receive $251 million in aid in 2021-2022, an increase of more than 8% over what is projected for the current year. 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 28% since 2017-2018.

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 with a combination of grants, scholarships, summer earnings expectations and work-study opportunities.