Financial common questions
What are the per-term costs? Are there associated fees?
DSP estimated total tuition is $13,000 USD for the 12-course programme, or approximately $2,167 USD per two-course term. Tuition does not include living and personal expenses, health insurance, transportation, books, instructional materials, or fees associated with lodging and meals at required residencies.
Students in the programme must participate in a minimum of three proctored exams throughout the life of the program. These exams typically cost approximately $25 to $35 USD each. Students are responsible for the costs of all proctored exams taken.
There are no tech (technical) fees associated with DSP.
Tuition listed here is estimated for planning purposes only. Tuition levels are reviewed on a yearly basis and may be subject to an increase.
Should you fail a DSP course at any point, you will need to retake the course and are therefore responsible for the additional tuition costs over and above the total degree estimated costs.
What is the cost of the on-site residencies?
DSP residencies cost an estimated $500 USD per each of two required residencies. The estimate includes on-campus accommodations, food, and local transport. This estimate does not include student’s individual transportation expense to the residency site at the Great Lakes Institute of Management campuses in Gurgaon or Chennai.
If I drop or withdraw from a course, what are the consequences or fees?
- Please note that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all dates are subject to change.
Because the Data Science Programme is a sequenced curriculum where students are assigned to cohorts, withdrawing from a course or courses will cause a student to be out of pace with their cohort. Students who do not complete courses in the sequence will be reassigned to a new cohort and will have to wait until the next courses needed in their sequence are offered again, typically a period of two terms.
Should a student unenroll from a course or courses, there may also be academic penalties, and the student may be responsible for a percentage of the tuition for the course depending on at what point in the term that the student completes the request to unenroll from the class(es).
If a student requests to leave a course prior to the term up until the Friday of the 6th week of the term, this is referred to as a “course drop.” A dropped course does not appear on a student’s transcript, but the student may be responsible for a percentage of tuition based on how much of the term has elapsed. If a student leaves a course before the start of classes, the student will receive a 100% refund. - If 0 – 10% of the quarter has elapsed: 100% of tuition will be refunded
- If 11 – 25% of the quarter has elapsed: 75% of tuition will be refunded
- If 26 – 50% of the quarter has elapsed: 50% of tuition will be refunded
- If 51 – 100% of the quarter has elapsed: 0% of tuition will be refunded
If a student requests to leave a course prior to the term up until the Friday of the 6th week of the term, this is referred to as a “course withdrawal.” A course withdrawal is reflected with a W on the student’s transcript. Student can have a maximum of two W’s on their transcript. Because a withdrawal happens after the 6th week of the term (beyond 60% of the course), the student does not receive a tuition refund.
As soon as specific dates are determined, they will be posted on the calendar found here.
To withdraw from a course, students must complete Change of Registration form and submit it to the SPS Office of the Registrar. In order to remove yourself from a course, the submission of a form to the Registrar is required--it is not sufficient to only notify the instructor or another staff member of your intent, nor to simply cease attending.
Withdrawing from a class will impact the student’s ability to finish their degree and the timeline that they will finish. Classes are offered on a quarterly basis and follow the academic calendar.
When is tuition due?
Tuition bills are typically viewable two weeks prior to term start. Tuition payments are due two weeks after term start. Shortly after your registration, your account balance will be visible on CAESAR. Be sure to check your Caesar account.
I overpaid my tuition or have a refund due to me for another reason, how do I request a refund?
In order to request a refund, complete the steps noted here. Note that refunds are processed directly back to the credit or bank card used to pay tuition. If tuition is paid via money order or a third party lender, refunds will be processed back via direct deposit to a US bank account or a mailed check.
Who do I contact with billing or payment questions?
Direct financial-related questions to Student Finance at studentaccounts-chicago@northwestern.edu .
Northwestern Student Finance
phone: 312.503.8503
email: studentaccounts-chicago@northwestern.edu
website: https://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/
What is the process if my employer pays part of my tuition?
The University's Employer Reimbursement Plan (ERP) is designed for students whose employers offer reimbursement for tuition charges. The plan allows participants to defer their employer-covered tuition payments to Northwestern until after the term has been completed.
For detailed information about ERP and to download an application form visit the Office of Student Finance page. https://www.northwestern.edu/sfs/about/contact/