School of Professional Studies Undergraduate Programs
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.
The School of Professional Studies requires all students to pay 60% of tuition at the time of registration. Students may have the 60% requirement waived if they are on the Financial Aid List sent by the Office of Financial Aid on a rolling basis each quarter. Learn more about the Financial Aid List.
One course Two courses Three courses Four courses
One Course
| Direct Costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
These costs will appear on your invoice. |
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| Category | Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | Total for all four terms |
| Tuition | $2,290 | $2,290 | $2,290 | $2,290 | $9,160 |
| 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. |
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| Category | Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | Total |
| Books | $138 | $138 | $138 | $138 | $552 |
| Transportation | $200 | $200 | $200 | $200 | $800 |
| Total Costs | $2,628 | $2,628 | $2,628 | $2,628 | $10,512 |
Two Courses
| Direct Costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
These costs will appear on your invoice. |
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| Category | Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | Total for all four terms |
| Tuition | $4,580 | $4,580 | $4,580 | $4,580 | $18,320 |
| 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 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | Total |
| Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) | $7,647 | $7,647 | $7,647 | $7,647 | $30,588 |
| Books | $276 | $276 | $276 | $276 | $1,104 |
| Personal | $945 | $945 | $945 | $945 | $3,780 |
| Transportation | $300 | $300 | $300 | $300 | $1,200 |
| Loan Fees | $29 | $29 | $29 | $29 | $116 |
| Total Costs | $13,781 | $13,781 | $13,781 | $13,781 | $55,124 |
Three Courses
| Direct Costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
These costs will appear on your invoice. |
|||||
| Category | Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | Total for all four terms |
| Tuition | $6,870 | $6,870 | $6,870 | $6,870 | $27,480 |
| 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 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | Total |
| Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) | $6,870 | $6,870 | $6,870 | $6,870 | $27,480 |
| Books | $414 | $414 | $414 | $414 | $1,656 |
| Personal | $945 | $945 | $945 | $945 | $3,780 |
| Transportation | $400 | $400 | $400 | $400 | $1,600 |
| Loan Fees | $33 | $33 | $33 | $33 | $132 |
| Total Costs | $14,786 | $14,786 | $14,786 | $11,771 | $56,129 |
Four Courses
| Direct Costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| These costs will appear on your invoice. | |||||
| Category | Fall 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | Total for all four terms |
| Tuition | $9,160 | $9,160 | $9,160 | $9,160 | $36,640 |
| 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 2026 | Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Summer 2027 | Total |
| Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) | $7,647 | $7,647 | $7,647 | $7,647 | $30,588 |
| Books | $552 | $552 | $552 | $552 | $2,208 |
| Personal | $945 | $945 | $945 | $945 | $3,780 |
| Transportation | $400 | $400 | $400 | $400 | $1,600 |
| Loan Fees | $33 | $33 | $33 | $33 | $132 |
| Total Costs | $18,737 | $18,737 | $18,737 | $18,737 | $74,948 |
One course Two courses Three courses Four courses
One Course
| Direct Costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice. |
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| Category | Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 (6 weeks) | Total for all four terms |
| Tuition | $2,245 | $2,245 | $2,245 | $2,245 | $8,980 |
| 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. |
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| Category | Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | Total |
| Books | $212 | $212 | $212 | $212 | $848 |
| Transportation | $172 | $172 | $172 | $103 | $619 |
| Total Costs | $2,629 | $2,629 | $2,629 | $2,560 | $10,447 |
Two Courses
| Direct Costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice. |
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| Category | Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 (6 weeks) | Total for all four terms |
| Tuition | $4,490 | $4,490 | $4,490 | $4,490 | $17,960 |
| 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 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | Total |
| Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) | $6,723 | $6,723 | $6,723 | $4,032 | $24,201 |
| Books | $424 | $424 | $424 | $424 | $1,696 |
| Personal | $945 | $945 | $945 | $570 | $3,405 |
| Transportation | $344 | $344 | $344 | $206 | $1,238 |
| Loan Fees | $36 | $36 | $36 | $36 | $144 |
| Total Costs | $12,962 | $12,962 | $12,962 | $9,758 | $48,644 |
Three Courses
| Direct Costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice. |
|||||
| Category | Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 (6 weeks) | Total for all four terms |
| Tuition | $6,735 | $6,735 | $6,735 | $6,735 | $26,940 |
| 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 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | Total |
| Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) | $6,723 | $6,723 | $6,723 | $4,032 | $24,201 |
| Books | $636 | $636 | $636 | $636 | $2,544 |
| Personal | $945 | $945 | $945 | $570 | $3,405 |
| Transportation | $516 | $516 | $516 | $309 | $1,857 |
| Loan Fees | $36 | $36 | $36 | $36 | $144 |
| Total Costs | $15,591 | $15,591 | $15,591 | $12,318 | $59,091 |
Four Courses
| Direct Costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
These costs are set by the University and will appear on your invoice. |
|||||
| Category | Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 (6 weeks) | Total for all four terms |
| Tuition | $8,980 | $8,980 | $8,980 | $8,980 | $35,920 |
| 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 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | Total |
| Housing & Food (Rent, Utilities, Food, etc) | $6,723 | $6,723 | $6,723 | $4,032 | $24,201 |
| Books | $848 | $848 | $848 | $848 | $3,392 |
| Personal | $945 | $945 | $945 | $570 | $3,405 |
| Transportation | $688 | $688 | $688 | $412 | $2,476 |
| Loan Fees | $36 | $36 | $36 | $36 | $144 |
| Total Costs | $18,220 | $18,220 | $18,220 | $14,878 | $69,538 |