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Tuition and Fees

Visiting Students

Tuition and Fees

Summer Session students are billed for tuition on a per-unit basis. At Northwestern one credit unit equals four quarter hours or two and two-thirds semester hours of credit. Most courses at Northwestern count as one unit of credit, though some carry more credit, with a corresponding increase in tuition. If a course carries less or more than one unit of credit, the number of units appears at the end of the course description. All checks and money orders for tuition, deposits, and fees must be drawn on a U.S. Bank in U.S. Dollars and payable to Northwestern University. Please include the student's name on the check or money order.

Visit the registration information page for more information.

2020 Tuition and Fees

  • Tuition, per course/unit of credit:  $4,686
    • Lab course fee: $250
  • Tuition for approved teachers and professional educators (currently employed secondary education teachers)/unit of credit:  $1,984
  • Online courses: $120 technology fee
  • Full-time Northwestern employees may qualify for a reduced tuition rate for undergraduate, professional development, and Summer Institute classes. You must submit a Tuition Benefit Application one month before registration. If this form is not filed, you will be billed for the full tuition. The Tuition Benefit Applications are available here or from Human Resources at 720 University Place, Evanston, and Abbott Hall, Room 150, Chicago. For further information, including details on benefits for spouses and dependents, please visit the Human Resources website or call (847) 491-7513.

Non-refundable Fees

  • Tuition deposit, per course:  $250
  • Registration fee:  $50
  • Late registration fee:  $75
  • Retroactive registration fee:  $225
  • Official transcripts, per copy (plus additional $25 for rush requests): $8 for electronic and $10 for U.S. Mail service
  • Late payment penalty:  $200
  • For professional development course fees see the individual course descriptions.

Adding and Dropping Courses

To add or drop a course:

  1. Complete and submit the electronic Undergraduate Change of Registration Form.
  2. Make any required payment if you are adding your first course.

Refund Policy and Schedule

While the tuition deposit and fees (including the registration fee) are not refundable under any circumstances, students may be eligible to receive a full or partial tuition refund. Northwestern University's refund policy is based on the percentage of time (number of days in the session, including weekends and holidays) that you were enrolled as a student in your class. The Office of Student Accounts considers the date of the drop in CAESAR or the date the completed Change of Registration form is received at the SPS Registrar's office to be the effective date in making financial adjustments.

Please visit the Student Financial Services Withdrawal Calculator for SPS Undergraduates & Visiting Summer Students to calculate any potential refund due.

In general:

  • If 0% of the course has elapsed: 100% of tuition will be refunded*
  • If 1 to 10% of the course has elapsed: 95% of tuition will be refunded*
  • If 11 to 25% of the course has elapsed: 75% of tuition will be refunded*
  • If 25 to 50% of the course has elapsed: 50% of tuition will be refunded*
  • If 51 to 100% of the course has elapsed: 0% of tuition will be refunded

*less any non-refundable fees and tuition deposits

As Summer Session classes begin and end on different dates throughout the summer, you should consult with Student Financial Services to help determine your potential refund.

Office of Student Accounts
555 Clark Street
Evanston, IL 60208
phone: 847-491-5224

Billing and Payment

The Office of Student Accounts issues student bills. A due date is shown on each University bill, and payment must be received by that date. Failure to receive bills is not sufficient cause to extend due dates. More information on bills and payment methods can be found on the Student Financial Services page.

eBill and ePay
An electronic option for billing and payment of tuition and fees is available at no charge to students and authorized payers such as their parents. Additional information on eBill and ePay can be found on the Student Financial Services page.

Financial Obligations

You are responsible for fulfilling your financial obligations to the University. If your bill is unpaid at its due date, you may incur a financial hold on your student account and you may also incur a $200 late payment fee.

Until all financial obligations are paid in full, the financial hold could cause:

  • Registration to be canceled or prevented
  • Diplomas or transcripts to be held
  • Enrollment or degrees to be unconfirmed
  • You also are liable for any costs associated with collection of your unpaid bills, including, but not limited to, collection agency costs, court costs, and legal fees.

For more information about tuition, fees and billing, visit the Student Financial Services Tuition page.

Earn while you learn — become an RA this summer

The Northwestern University College Preparation Program is looking for resident advisors to help guide high school students through a summer of learning and fun at Northwestern.
  • Earn salary, including room and board
  • Work with bright, motivated high school students from around the country and abroad
  • Plan exciting events and gain valuable experience
  • Enjoy Northwestern campus life and Chicago this summer!

FIND OUT MORE

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