NLU Tuition and Fees
The tuition and fee levels indicated below are effective as of July 1, 2026 and reflect approximate 2% increases from the prior year in most undergraduate and graduate programs.
Effective Summer 2026 - Spring 2027
National Louis University provides a variety of financing options to assist in covering educational and tuition cost. Whether you are interested in utilizing one of our payment options or loan assistance, scholarships, federal work-study, grants or a combination of these resources. Our Financial aid advisors can develop a financial plan that meets your needs.
75% of Americans think college is too expensive—we think they're right. We've recently reduced tuition for undergraduate and select graduate programs, making your degree more affordable.
Information on the Recent Federal Court Ruling on State Aid and Residency
Tuition
Undergraduate Rates*
(Excludes Kendall Programs)
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Full-time (Assumes 45QH/school year), transferring in with 30 QH or less |
$12,420/year |
|
Full-time (14-18QH), transferring in with more than 30QH -- Domestic |
$6,242/term |
|
Full-time (14-18QH), transferring in with more than 30QH -- International |
$7,080/term* |
|
Fewer than 14 credits per term + per credit hour rate if more than 18 credits per term |
$449/credit hour |
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Housing (Optional) Deposit $250 |
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*Does not include students that are eligible for the Direct to Success Scholarship.
Tuition and Fees for Kendall College classes starting after July 1, 2026:
Kendall Certificate in Baking and Pastry; Certificate in Professional Cookery
Kendall BA Culinary Management Tuition and Fees
Kendall College AAS in Culinary Arts & Baking and Pastry
Kendall BA Hospitality Management (Transfer) Tuition and Fees
Kendall BA Hospitality Management (First Time Freshmen) Tuition and Fees
*Rates do not include applicable scholarships. See NLU's Scholarships page for more information.
Housing & Meal Plan Rates 2025-2026
Accelerate U
- Medical Assisting - $7,650 ($255/QH)
- Technology Sales - $6,375 ($255/QH)
- ITSS - $6,375 ($255/QH)
- RBT - $6,375 ($255/QH)
Find more information on Accelerate U tuition and fees here.
Graduate Rates by College
Please Note: Rates listed per semester hour
National College of Education
Professional Development - $400
Reading Recovery - $400
ESL/Bilingual (On-site, per hour), LBS1 (Special Ed Endorsement) - $450
M.Ed. and Ed.S. - $700
- Educational Leadership Principal (State Track
- Educational Leadership General
- Strategic Educational Leadership
- Reading Teacher
- Reading Specialist
- Teacher Leader
- Special Education
- Early Childhood Administration
- School Psychology
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Learning Sciences
Find more information on M.Ed. and Ed.S tuition and fees here.
M.A.T - $700
- Early Childhood Traditional
- Early Childhood Alt
- Early Childhood Accelerated
- Elementary Traditional
- Elementary Alt
- Special Education Traditional
- Special Education Alt
- Middle Grades Traditional
- Secondary Education Traditional
- Secondary Education Alt
Find more information on M.A.T. tuition and fees here.
Education Specialist and Doctor of Education Programs
- Curriculum, Advocacy, and Policy - $800
- Disability and Equity in Education - $800
- Reading, Language, and Literacy - $800
- Linguistic Diversity and Equity - $800
- School Level Leadership (Ed.S.) - $700
- School Level Leadership (Ed.D.) - $800
- District Level Leadership - $800
- Strategic Educational Leadership - $800
- Educational Leadership and Administration - $800
Find more information on Education Specialist and Doctor of Education tuition and fees here.
Florida Programs
- M.Ed. in Educational Leadership - $650 ($520 for Florida Educators)
- Ed.S. in Educational Leadership - $650 ($520 for Florida Educators)
- Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - $705 ($635 for Florida Educators)
- Ed.S. in School Psychology - $650 ($520 for Florida Educators)
- M.A.T. in Elementary Education - $400 EPI ($650 non-EPI)
- M.A.T. in Secondary Education - $400 EPI ($650 non-EPI)
Find more information on Florida NCE programs here.
Graduate School of Business and Leadership & College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences
Find All College of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Tuition Rates Here
Find All Graduate School of Business and Leadership Tuition Rates Here
Please note: All tuition rates are applicable to the current academic year and are subject to an annual review.
Exceptions
Partnerships
- Contact the NLU Partnerships Team for specific rate information: partnerships@nl.edu
Credit for Prior Learning
Are you pursuing a degree and already have years of personal and professional experience? Visit NLU's credit for prior learning page for details on how you can turn your knowledge and skills gained outside of the classroom into college credit.
Books
Books and supplies are estimated at $150 per class excluding students in the full time day time programs. Please visit https://nl.edu/student-services/bookstore/ for more information.
Fees
Admission Application Fee - FREE
Testing Fees
- Criterion Writing Assessment - $55
- edTPA fee** (NCE students - one time fee) - $300
- Miller Analogies Test - $80
- School Psychology Testing - $350
- Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal - $55
All Other Fees
- Deferred Payment Plan*** - $35
- Diploma Reorder - $35
- Late Payment per Month - $15
- NCE Assessment & Tech Fee*** (NCE students - one time fee) - $115
- Clinical/Field Experience Fee - $83.33
- NLU ID
- Replacement Card - $25/card
- Office of Registrar Special Requests - $15
- Print and Copy Charge***
- First 200 sheets - FREE
- Additional Black & White sheets - $0.05/sheet
- Additional Color sheets - $0.10/sheet
- Returned Check - $35
- Student Fee: Full-time Enrollment (14+ hours)*** - $275
- Student Fee: Full- or -Half-time Enrollment*** - $175
- Student Fee: Less than Half-time Enrollment*** - $75
- Thesis/Dissertation/Exam Continuation** - $800
- Transcript (Paper) - $15
- Transcript (Electronic) - $12
- Tuition Reimbursement Plan*** - $35
- U-Pass****
- Summer term - $100
- Fall/Winter/Spring term - $130
** Some exceptions apply. Please ask about details specific to your program of interest.
*** Denotes a per term charge.
**** Denotes a required per term fee for all Chicago campus full-time students.
RISE - MAP Grant
The Retention of Illinois Students & Equity (RISE) Act creates a pathway for the undocumented and transgender students to apply for the state Monetary Award Program (MAP). Read more.
