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Cost of Attendance

Cost of attendance in year one of Master’s Thesis Degree Program

Tuition: For the 2023– 2024 academic year, full-time tuition is $21, 550 per quarter. A full-time master’s student would take three-quarters of classes (fall, winter, spring), bringing the academic year tuition cost to $64,650. 

Tuition scholarship: All applicants to the Master’s Thesis Degree Program are automatically considered for a partial tuition scholarship. For the 2023 - 2024 academic year, all applicants will receive at least 30% of tuition costs in year one. Students are notified of the award when they receive an offer of admission. We also encourage students to submit a FAFSA to be considered for additional funding. Most students qualify for some additional aid. A FAFSA form can be accessed from a link on this page. 

Healthcare: Students are required to have health insurance, either through the Northwestern Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP) or the student’s own health insurance carrier. In year one, master’s students receive a 60% subsidy for NU-SHIP.

Student activity fee: approximately $125 each quarter. It covers a variety of services including a U-Pass for public transportation with the CTA (Chicago Transportation Authority)

Housing: There is a range of housing opportunities on and off-campus. Students frequently live in Evanston or Chicago.

Cost of attendance in year two of the Master’s Thesis Degree Program

Tuition: In year two, students are no longer taking classes and do not pay tuition. They register for TGS 512, which carries a $100/quarter fee (fall, winter, spring = $300 in total). 

Healthcare: Students are required to have health insurance, either through the Northwestern Student Health Insurance Plan (NU-SHIP) or the student’s own health insurance carrier. In year two, since master’s students are not paying tuition, they no longer receive a 50% subsidy for NU-SHIP.

Student activity fee: In year two, since master’s students are not paying tuition, they no longer pay the activity fee and do not receive a U-Pass.

Information about Loans and Employment opportunities at Northwestern and Employment opportunities at the Chicago Botanic Garden

Learn more about TGS funding