2026-27 School of Communication Tuition and Fees
A clear look at the costs.
These are the charges you can expect to see on your tuition bill. Understanding your total estimated costs now can help you plan ahead and budget confidently. After you apply, you'll be able to see how our various financial aid options help cover expenses and help make Northwestern affordable for everyone.
For a full estimate of all static and incidental costs, see Cost of Attendance. Keep in mind, you may encounter additional possible charges, such as late fees, depending on your program. For the billing schedule, see Payment Due Dates.
If you have questions about tuition, fees or your bill, please contact Student Finance or visit our FAQ page. View tuition and fees from previous years.
Communications MS
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Charged in Fall, Winter and Spring terms.
For graduate and professional students, the health services fee will now be charged to students with regular access to on-campus health services. The student health fee, and other funding sources, provides Northwestern students with equitable access to a variety of health services at the university including: Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service, Counseling & Psychological Services, TimelyCare services, and other on-campus health and wellness initiatives.
All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan or the student's own health insurance carrier. Students who take no action will default to the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and be charged accordingly. See Student Health Insurance and Annual NU-SHIP Enrollment/Waiver Process for more information.
Doctor of Audiology (Audiology AuD)
Full-time is 3 to 4 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Part-time is less than 3 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Part - time is less than 3 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Charged in Fall, Winter and Spring terms.
For graduate and professional students, the health services fee will now be charged to students with regular access to on-campus health services. The student health fee, and other funding sources, provides Northwestern students with equitable access to a variety of health services at the university including: Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service, Counseling & Psychological Services, TimelyCare services, and other on-campus health and wellness initiatives.
All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan or the student's own health insurance carrier. Students who take no action will default to the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and be charged accordingly. See Student Health Insurance and Annual NU-SHIP Enrollment/Waiver Process for more information.
Leadership for Creative Enterprises MS
Full-time is 3 to 4.5 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Part-time is less than 3 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Charged in Fall, Winter and Spring terms.
For graduate and professional students, the health services fee will now be charged to students with regular access to on-campus health services. The student health fee, and other funding sources, provides Northwestern students with equitable access to a variety of health services at the university including: Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service, Counseling & Psychological Services, TimelyCare services, and other on-campus health and wellness initiatives.
All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan or the student's own health insurance carrier. Students who take no action will default to the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and be charged accordingly. See Student Health Insurance and Annual NU-SHIP Enrollment/Waiver Process for more information.
Non-Clinical Communication Science MA
Full-time is 3 to 4 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Part-time is less than 3 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Charged in Fall, Winter and Spring terms.
For graduate and professional students, the health services fee will now be charged to students with regular access to on-campus health services. The student health fee, and other funding sources, provides Northwestern students with equitable access to a variety of health services at the university including: Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service, Counseling & Psychological Services, TimelyCare services, and other on-campus health and wellness initiatives.
All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan or the student's own health insurance carrier. Students who take no action will default to the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and be charged accordingly. See Student Health Insurance and Annual NU-SHIP Enrollment/Waiver Process for more information.
Sound Arts and Industries MA
Full-time is 3 to 4 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Part-time is less than 3 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Charged in Fall, Winter and Spring terms.
For graduate and professional students, the health services fee will now be charged to students with regular access to on-campus health services. The student health fee, and other funding sources, provides Northwestern students with equitable access to a variety of health services at the university including: Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service, Counseling & Psychological Services, TimelyCare services, and other on-campus health and wellness initiatives.
All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan or the student's own health insurance carrier. Students who take no action will default to the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and be charged accordingly. See Student Health Insurance and Annual NU-SHIP Enrollment/Waiver Process for more information.
Speech, Language, and Learning MS
Full-time is 3 to 4 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Part-time is less than 3 units
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Charged in Fall, Winter and Spring terms.
For graduate and professional students, the health services fee will now be charged to students with regular access to on-campus health services. The student health fee, and other funding sources, provides Northwestern students with equitable access to a variety of health services at the university including: Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service, Counseling & Psychological Services, TimelyCare services, and other on-campus health and wellness initiatives.
All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan or the student's own health insurance carrier. Students who take no action will default to the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and be charged accordingly. See Student Health Insurance and Annual NU-SHIP Enrollment/Waiver Process for more information.
Speech-Language Pathology SLPD
Tuition is billed on the first invoice for each quarter.
Charged in Fall, Winter and Spring terms.
For graduate and professional students, the health services fee will now be charged to students with regular access to on-campus health services. The student health fee, and other funding sources, provides Northwestern students with equitable access to a variety of health services at the university including: Northwestern Medicine Student Health Service, Counseling & Psychological Services, TimelyCare services, and other on-campus health and wellness initiatives.
All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern All degree-seeking students are required to have health insurance coverage either through the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan or the student's own health insurance carrier. Students who take no action will default to the Northwestern University/Aetna Student Health Insurance Plan and be charged accordingly. See Student Health Insurance and Annual NU-SHIP Enrollment/Waiver Process for more information.
Additional Fees
We'd like to give you a transparent and thorough understanding of charges that you might be responsible for in any given year as a Northwestern student.
Outside of the tuition and fees listed above, there are potential costs you may encounter during your time at Northwestern, such as field trip fees, subscription fees and fines among others. These charges are based on your activities and your specific program.