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Northwestern University
Evanston, IL 8,960 Undergrads 95.5% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$87,804
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$27,143
After Aid
Median Earnings
$89,363
10yr Post-Entry
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$27,143
Peer Midpoint: $19,729.5
Earnings (10yr)$89,363
Peer Midpoint: $53,747
Graduation Rate95.5%
Peer Midpoint: 58.5%
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients18.6%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time97.5%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS86.0%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
7.1%
SAT Avg
1,526
SAT Reading
25th: 73074575th: 770
SAT Math
25th: 76077575th: 790
ACT Composite
25th: 333575th: 35
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$735k
+$339k
+$251k
Median Cost$27k/yr
+$638k
+$241k
+$153k
Full Cost$88k/yr
+$419k
+$23k
-$65k
ROI Efficiency Metrics
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
27
∞
Median Cost$27k/yr
34
157%
Full Cost$88k/yr
Never
-21%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 10-year median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return52%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-50%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis
Bachelor's Degrees
Anthropology
BachCIP: 4502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$29,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$293k
Area Studies
BachCIP: 0501
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$28,019
Lifetime Value Added
-$308k
Biology, General
BachCIP: 2601
Median Debt
$14,684
Earnings (5yr)
$76,013
Lifetime Value Added
+$66k
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
BachCIP: 1405
Median Debt
$16,833
Earnings (5yr)
$129,919
Lifetime Value Added
+$468k
Chemical Engineering
BachCIP: 1407
Median Debt
$16,500
Earnings (5yr)
$120,160
Lifetime Value Added
+$396k
Chemistry
BachCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$44,971
Lifetime Value Added
-$155k
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
$17,687
Earnings (5yr)
$90,012
Lifetime Value Added
+$171k
Community Organization and Advocacy
BachCIP: 4402
Median Debt
$13,500
Earnings (5yr)
$87,763
Lifetime Value Added
+$154k
Computer Engineering
BachCIP: 1409
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$138,897
Lifetime Value Added
+$534k
Computer Science
BachCIP: 1107
Median Debt
$14,646
Earnings (5yr)
$156,137
Lifetime Value Added
+$661k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
$17,000
Earnings (5yr)
$47,619
Lifetime Value Added
-$156k
Economics
BachCIP: 4506
Median Debt
$15,250
Earnings (5yr)
$125,639
Lifetime Value Added
+$437k
English Language and Literature, General
BachCIP: 2301
Median Debt
$15,450
Earnings (5yr)
$61,142
Lifetime Value Added
-$47k
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies
BachCIP: 0502
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$29,685
Lifetime Value Added
-$293k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$32,382
Lifetime Value Added
-$268k
History
BachCIP: 5401
Median Debt
$15,917
Earnings (5yr)
$70,234
Lifetime Value Added
+$23k
Human Resources Management and Services
BachCIP: 5210
Median Debt
$33,332
Earnings (2yr)
$76,995
Lifetime Value Added
+$109k
Industrial Engineering
BachCIP: 1435
Median Debt
$18,000
Earnings (5yr)
$137,306
Lifetime Value Added
+$523k
Information Science/Studies
BachCIP: 1104
Median Debt
$11,425
Earnings (2yr)
$83,546
Lifetime Value Added
+$161k
International Relations and National Security Studies
BachCIP: 4509
Median Debt
$19,234
Earnings (5yr)
$75,031
Lifetime Value Added
+$59k
Journalism
BachCIP: 0904
Median Debt
$14,834
Earnings (5yr)
$72,140
Lifetime Value Added
+$37k
Materials Engineering
BachCIP: 1418
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$63,005
Lifetime Value Added
-$2k
Mathematics
BachCIP: 2701
Median Debt
$12,418
Earnings (5yr)
$119,511
Lifetime Value Added
+$391k
Mechanical Engineering
BachCIP: 1419
Median Debt
$13,942
Earnings (5yr)
$104,154
Lifetime Value Added
+$277k
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
$18,039
Earnings (5yr)
$48,276
Lifetime Value Added
-$151k
Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate)
BachCIP: 2200
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$35,416
Lifetime Value Added
-$241k
Philosophy
BachCIP: 3801
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$31,839
Lifetime Value Added
-$273k
Political Science and Government
BachCIP: 4510
Median Debt
$16,834
Earnings (5yr)
$76,128
Lifetime Value Added
+$67k
Psychology, General
BachCIP: 4201
Median Debt
$13,500
Earnings (5yr)
$71,228
Lifetime Value Added
+$30k
Psychology, Other
BachCIP: 4299
Median Debt
$11,630
Earnings (5yr)
$61,170
Lifetime Value Added
-$47k
Public Policy Analysis
BachCIP: 4405
Median Debt
$18,750
Earnings (5yr)
$61,965
Lifetime Value Added
-$40k
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
BachCIP: 0907
Median Debt
$15,000
Earnings (5yr)
$50,861
Lifetime Value Added
-$130k
Research and Experimental Psychology
BachCIP: 4227
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$84,007
Lifetime Value Added
+$126k
Social Sciences, Other
BachCIP: 4599
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$69,338
Lifetime Value Added
+$48k
Sociology
BachCIP: 4511
Median Debt
$13,622
Earnings (5yr)
$57,736
Lifetime Value Added
-$74k
Statistics
BachCIP: 2705
Median Debt
$14,234
Earnings (2yr)
$64,990
Lifetime Value Added
+$14k
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
PB-CertCIP: 2401
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$93,468
Lifetime Value Added
+$434k
Master's Degrees
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
MastCIP: 5109
Median Debt
$148,699
Earnings (5yr)
$129,743
Lifetime Value Added
+$643k
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
MastCIP: 2611
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$71,575
Lifetime Value Added
+$183k
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
MastCIP: 1405
Median Debt
$70,280
Earnings (2yr)
$63,005
Lifetime Value Added
+$104k
Biotechnology
MastCIP: 2612
Median Debt
$82,387
Earnings (2yr)
$63,005
Lifetime Value Added
+$104k
Business Administration, Management and Operations
MastCIP: 5202
Median Debt
$172,164
Earnings (5yr)
$227,307
Lifetime Value Added
+$1461k
Business/Commerce, General
MastCIP: 5201
Median Debt
$76,735
Earnings (5yr)
$235,876
Lifetime Value Added
+$1529k
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology
MastCIP: 4228
Median Debt
$153,657
Earnings (5yr)
$56,897
Lifetime Value Added
+$15k
Communication and Media Studies
MastCIP: 0901
Median Debt
$55,813
Earnings (5yr)
$104,690
Lifetime Value Added
+$430k
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
MastCIP: 5102
Median Debt
$116,714
Earnings (5yr)
$70,125
Lifetime Value Added
+$133k
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
MastCIP: 0999
Median Debt
$68,589
Earnings (5yr)
$120,292
Lifetime Value Added
+$563k
Community Organization and Advocacy
MastCIP: 4402
Median Debt
$69,011
Earnings (5yr)
$158,814
Lifetime Value Added
+$890k
Educational Administration and Supervision
MastCIP: 1304
Median Debt
$26,252
Earnings (5yr)
$75,644
Lifetime Value Added
+$180k
Engineering-Related Fields
MastCIP: 1515
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$219,145
Lifetime Value Added
+$1395k
Engineering, Other
MastCIP: 1499
Median Debt
$64,256
Earnings (5yr)
$232,652
Lifetime Value Added
+$1503k
Health and Medical Administrative Services
MastCIP: 5107
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$182,280
Lifetime Value Added
+$1183k
Health and Physical Education/Fitness
MastCIP: 3105
Median Debt
$38,772
Earnings (5yr)
$74,476
Lifetime Value Added
+$170k
Information Science/Studies
MastCIP: 1104
Median Debt
$39,844
Earnings (5yr)
$139,725
Lifetime Value Added
+$728k
Journalism
MastCIP: 0904
Median Debt
$64,766
Earnings (5yr)
$70,581
Lifetime Value Added
+$137k
Legal Professions and Studies, Other
MastCIP: 2299
Median Debt
$61,372
Earnings (2yr)
$43,798
Lifetime Value Added
-$83k
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
MastCIP: 5213
Median Debt
$42,454
Earnings (5yr)
$162,247
Lifetime Value Added
+$919k
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
MastCIP: 1508
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$94,408
Lifetime Value Added
+$391k
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies
MastCIP: 5114
Median Debt
$81,076
Earnings (5yr)
$260,814
Lifetime Value Added
+$1724k
Medical Illustration and Informatics
MastCIP: 5127
Median Debt
$45,980
Earnings (5yr)
$137,491
Lifetime Value Added
+$709k
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions
MastCIP: 5115
Median Debt
$139,267
Earnings (5yr)
$81,809
Lifetime Value Added
+$233k
Music
MastCIP: 5009
Median Debt
$47,600
Earnings (5yr)
$36,983
Lifetime Value Added
-$175k
Public Administration
MastCIP: 4404
Median Debt
$44,568
Earnings (5yr)
$106,467
Lifetime Value Added
+$445k
Public Health
MastCIP: 5122
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$183,592
Lifetime Value Added
+$1099k
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
MastCIP: 0909
Median Debt
$54,057
Earnings (5yr)
$119,177
Lifetime Value Added
+$554k
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
MastCIP: 5123
Median Debt
$112,106
Earnings (5yr)
$84,551
Lifetime Value Added
+$257k
Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
MastCIP: 4199
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$143,062
Lifetime Value Added
+$756k
Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education
MastCIP: 1309
Median Debt
$50,612
Earnings (5yr)
$76,293
Lifetime Value Added
+$186k
Doctoral Degrees
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
DocCIP: 2604
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$107,509
Lifetime Value Added
+$253k
Chemistry
DocCIP: 4005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$161,473
Lifetime Value Added
+$642k
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services
DocCIP: 5102
Median Debt
$63,500
Earnings (2yr)
$78,343
Lifetime Value Added
+$76k
Music
DocCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$59,742
Lifetime Value Added
-$98k
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
DocCIP: 5123
Median Debt
$168,092
Earnings (5yr)
$85,259
Lifetime Value Added
+$91k
Professional Degrees
Business/Commerce, General
ProfCIP: 5201
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$318,445
Lifetime Value Added
+$1710k
Law
ProfCIP: 2201
Median Debt
$154,286
Earnings (5yr)
$256,851
Lifetime Value Added
+$1306k
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
ProfCIP: 2202
Median Debt
$75,943
Earnings (5yr)
$177,387
Lifetime Value Added
+$757k
Medicine
ProfCIP: 5112
Median Debt
$201,568
Earnings (5yr)
$132,646
Lifetime Value Added
+$435k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate, accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate degree decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results should not be compared with those Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors starting at age 18.