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Is Northwestern University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for Northwestern, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Affordable
Northwestern lands in the affordable band for a typical family. Graduates earn a median of $89,363 ten years after enrolling, and that makes the median debt of $15,000 more manageable than it looks at first glance. For context, Northwestern's net price is about 2% above the typical 4-year, private nonprofit school. On the numbers alone, this school clears the bar comfortably.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 1237 similar 4-year, private nonprofit schools
This school
$23,341
/yrAverage school like this
$22,837
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $504 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $2,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
Graduation and earnings data create a stronger long-run payoff picture.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$29,167
Median earnings 10 years out
$89,363
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
Graduation rate
96%
At Northwestern, a typical graduate carries about $15,000 in student debt and earns roughly $89,363 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $171 per month, or 2% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
Northwestern is a private nonprofit four year school in Evanston, IL. Private pricing can swing more dramatically based on aid, so your personalized score matters more here than the national average view alone.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Private nonprofit 4-year
Lake Forest
Lake Forest, IL
Worth-It Score: 61/100
Median net price: $28,673
Private nonprofit 4-year
Illinois Wesleyan
Bloomington, IL
Worth-It Score: 71/100
Median net price: $28,199
Private nonprofit 4-year
DePaul
Chicago, IL
Worth-It Score: 62/100
Median net price: $30,902
Private nonprofit 4-year
Wheaton
Wheaton, IL
Worth-It Score: 71/100
Median net price: $26,975
Private nonprofit 4-year
Hebrew Theological
Skokie, IL
Worth-It Score: 29/100
Median net price: $26,861
Common questions about Northwestern
The median net price at Northwestern is $29,167 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at private colleges options in Illinois? See the most affordable private colleges in Illinois →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →