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Physical Therapy Program

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of expenses while enrolled at Northwestern and is used to determine your aid eligibility and consist of direct and indirect cost. Direct costs are billed directly by the University and include tuition, fees, and health insurance.

Indirect costs use averages based on the cost of living in Chicago and include housing, food, transportation and other personal expenses. Indirect costs are not included in your bill but should be take into account while determining the full cost of your program at Northwestern.

Note: You may find additional or unexpected living  and other indirect expenses associated with clinical education. These expenses may include facility health requirements, criminal background checks, fingerprinting, transportation, meals, housing, and professional clinical attire. When these expenses exceed the allowances included in the estimated cost of attendance below, you may appeal for additional loan funding to assist with those expenses.

Looking for DPT/MPH Tuition and Cost of Attendance? Click here.

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First year Second year Third year

First Year (12 months) 

PT First Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs will appear on your invoice. (Health Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan) 
Category Fall Winter Spring Total
Tuition $19,353 $19,353 $19,353 $58,059
Computer (iPad) $1,299 - - $1,299
Student Activity Fee $256 $256 $256 $768
Health Services Fee $298 $298 $298 $894
Health Insurance* $6,571 - - $6,571
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.
Category  Fall Winter Spring Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $7,647 $7,647 $7,647 $22,941
Personal $945 $945 $945 $2,835
Transportation $517 $517 $517 $1,551
Books $269 $269 $269 $807
Loan Fees** $73 $73 $73 $219
Total Costs $37,228 $29,358 $29,358 $95,944

* Health Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan.
** Loan fees are included to offset fees charged by the Department of Education on federal loans.

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Second Year (12 months) 

PT Second Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs will appear on your invoice. (Hospitalization Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan) 
Category Fall Winter Spring Total
Tuition $19,353 $19,353 $19,353 $58,059
Student Activity Fee $256 $256 $256 $768
Health Services Fee $298 $298 $298 $894
Health Insurance $5,996 - - $5,996
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.
Category  Fall Winter Spring Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $7,647 $7,647 $7,647 $22,941
Personal $945 $945 $945 $2,835
Transportation $517 $517 $517 $1,551
Books $269 $269 $269 $807
Loan Fees $73 $73 $73 $219
Total Costs $35,354 $29,358 $29,358 $94,070

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Third Year (8 months) 

PT Third Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs will appear on your invoice. (Hospitalization Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan) 
Category Fall Winter Total
Tuition $19,353 $19,353 $38,706
Student Activity Fee $256 $256 $512
Health Services Fee $298 $298 $596
Health Insurance $5,996 - $5,996
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.
Category  Fall Winter Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $7,647 $7,647 $15,294
Personal $945 $1,260 $2,205
Transportation $517 $517 $1,034
Books $269 $269 $538
PT Certification Allowance - $693 $693
Loan Fees $73 $73 $146
Total Costs $35,354 $30,366 $65,720

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Jump to:

First year Second year Third year

First Year (12 months) 

PT First Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice. (Health Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan) 
Category Fall Winter Spring Total
Tuition $18,789 $18,789 $18,789 $56,367
Computer (iPad) $1,204 - - $1,204
Student Activity Fee $249 $249 $249 $747
Health Services Fee $287 $287 $287 $861
Health Insurance* $6,195 - - $6,195
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed on your invoice but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.
Category  Fall Winter Spring Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $8,964 $8,964 $8,964 $26,892
Personal $1,260 $1,260 $1,260 $3,780
Transportation $688 $688 $688 $2,064
Books $269 $269 $269 $807
Loan Fees** $775 $775 $775 $2,325
Total Costs $38,680 $31,281 $31,281 $101,242

* Health Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan.
** Loan fees are included to offset fees charged by the Department of Education on Stafford and Grad PLUS loans. 

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Second Year (12 months) 

PT Second Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice. (Hospitalization Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan) 
Category Fall Winter Spring Total
Tuition $18,789 $18,789 $18,789 $56,367
Student Activity Fee $249 $249 $249 $747
Health Services Fee $287 $287 $287 $861
Health Insurance $5,919 - - $5,919
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed on your invoice but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.
Category  Fall Winter Spring Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $8,964 $8,964 $8,964 $26,892
Personal $1,260 $1,260 $1,260 $3,780
Transportation $688 $688 $688 $2,064
Books $269 $269 $269 $807
Loan Fees $775 $775 $775 $2,325
Total Costs $37,200 $31,281 $31,281 $99,762

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Third Year (8 months) 

PT Third Year Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs

These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice. (Hospitalization Insurance will not be charged if you waive out of the Northwestern Health Insurance Plan) 
Category Fall Winter Total
Tuition $18,789 $18,789 $37,578
Student Activity Fee $249 $249 $498
Health Services Fee $287 $287 $574
Health Insurance $5,919 - $5,919
Indirect/Variable Costs

These estimated costs are based on averages for each of the categories as determined by surveying students in your program. These estimated expenses are not billed on your invoice but can be used to help you budget your living expenses for the year.
Category  Fall Winter Total
Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) $8,964 $8,964 $17,928
Personal $1,260 $1,260 $2,520
Transportation $688 $688 $1,376
Books $269 $269 $538
PT Certification Allowance - $693 $693
Loan Fees $775 $775 $1,550
Total Costs $37,200 $31,974 $69,174

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