Evanston, IL · Private University
Is Northwestern University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$89,363
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$65,997
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,997
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$263,988
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.35x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.9 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
95.9%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$15,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$27,143
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Northwestern University graduates earn $44,363 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Northwestern University ranked by graduate earnings
63 graduates
47 graduates
49 graduates
178 graduates
44 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Northwestern University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Northwestern University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $130,650) and the lowest (Anthropology: $33,208) is $97,442/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $130,650 | 2.0x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $108,516 | 1.6x |
| Industrial Engineering | $107,105 | 1.6x |
| Economics | $105,795 | 1.6x |
| Information Science/Studies(1yr data) | $102,998 | 1.6x |
| Chemical Engineering | $100,444 | 1.5x |
| Applied Mathematics(1yr data) | $94,684 | 1.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $92,129 | 1.4x |
| Mathematics | $85,521 | 1.3x |
| Human Resources Management and Services(1yr data) | $82,255 | 1.3x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $77,917 | 1.2x |
| Community Organization and Advocacy | $77,788 | 1.2x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $77,066 | 1.2x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $73,180 | 1.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $71,052 | 1.1x |
| Journalism | $63,740 | 1.0x |
| Psychology, General | $61,389 | 0.9x |
| History | $60,884 | 0.9x |
| Psychology, Other | $59,494 | 0.9x |
| Public Policy Analysis | $51,876 | 0.8x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $50,797 | 0.8x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $47,162 | 0.7x |
| Sociology | $45,402 | 0.7x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $39,956 | 0.6x |
| Music | $39,940 | 0.6x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $39,012 | 0.6x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $36,466 | 0.6x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences(1yr data) | $35,334 | 0.5x |
| AnthropologyLowest(1yr data) | $33,208 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | 1.35x | $89,363 | Average ROI |
| University of Chicago | 1.37x | $91,885 | Average ROI |
| Washington University in St Louis | 1.37x | $86,182 | Average ROI |
| University of Notre Dame | 1.59x | $99,980 | Good ROI |
| Brown University | 1.37x | $93,487 | Average ROI |
| Cornell University | 1.58x | $104,043 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Northwestern University delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $89,363 10 years after starting — $44,363 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.9 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.