Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid
Each program at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies differs in tuition costs. Find information below on financial obligations and tuition costs for the accelerated MSDS program.
2025-26 Academic Year
- Estimated tuition per quarter: $15,500
- Estimated tuition for entire program (four quarters): $62,000
- Estimated cost for entire program (with fees): $64,700
Estimated Program Fees
- Technology fee: $130 per quarter
- Student services fee: $350 per quarter
- Health services fee: $260 per quarter (excluding summer)
Notes/Exceptions
- Tuition levels are reviewed on a yearly basis and can be adjusted based on market dynamics. On average, when an adjustment has been made, it has been approximately 2.5% to 3.5%.
- Estimated cost for entire program does not include books, other instructional materials, technology, or student service fees.
- A nonrefundable $1,000 deposit is required after your acceptance in order to reserve your space in the program. This deposit is applied to your total program cost.
Financial Obligation
Students will be required to pay tuition costs and any costs associated with any books and materials.
Financial Aid Eligibility
Students in master's degree programs may qualify for federal or private loans. Federal loan eligibility is only available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and it is usually limited to students taking at least two units of credit in the quarter for which they receive aid. Please note that depending on course availability, students may need to take a break for one or two quarters to maintain the two-credit minimum course load requirement for financial aid.
As at most universities, Northwestern University aid, assistantships, and stipends are reserved for PhD and MFA candidates.
Graduate students should direct questions to the Chicago Office of Financial Aid or by calling 312-503-8722.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The FAFSA is not required as part of your application, but we encourage all U.S. citizens and permanent residents to complete the FAFSA if they would like to be considered for any loans.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
The University's Employer Reimbursement Plan (ERP) is designed for students whose employers offer reimbursement for tuition costs. The plan allows participants to defer their employer-covered tuition payments to Northwestern until after the term has been completed. Please contact the Office of Student Accounts for more information and an application form.
Veterans Benefits
Veteran students may use benefits offered through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs toward their degree. Our Office of Financial Aid can help students determine which benefits may be used at Northwestern. To help students determine which educational benefit is best for their course of study, students can contact VA counselors at the GI Bill hotline at 1-888-442-4451 and at the VA website.