⚠ Policy change effective July 1, 2026: Grad PLUS loans eliminated for new borrowers. Read the law →
Graduate · $20,500/yr cap

Northwest University

Business (MBA) (MBA)
Annual Funding Gap
$19,122
per year you must fund outside federal loans
$20,500
$19,122
COA: $39,622/yrCap: $20,500/yr
53rd percentile#366 of 694 MBA programs
NORTHWESTU’s MBA gap of $19,122 is 5% above the national MBA median of $18,291. Among 694 MBA programs, NORTHWESTU ranks #366 from lowest to highest gap. COA of $39,622 is $831 above the national median.

Cost of Attendance Breakdown

Annual Cost of Attendance$39,622
Tuition & Fees$18,742
Living Expenses$20,880
Books, Supplies & Other$0
Federal Loan Cap (Graduate)$20,500
Annual Funding Gap$19,122
These numbers assume…
⚠ Full-time enrollment⚠ No scholarships or grants applied⚠ No prior federal debtSingle residency rate
Have a scholarship, assistantship, or different enrollment status? Enter your exact details and we’ll calculate your actual gap.
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Cover Your $19,122/yr Gap

Northwest University Business (MBA) students typically need $38,244 in private loans over 2 years to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance.

College AveOur Pick
Flexible repayment + law-specific grace periods
Fixed APR2.84 – 15.99%
Variable APR3.89 – 15.99%
Min. CreditMid-600s
Max Loan100% of COA
Decision: 3 min pre-qualification
Check Your Rate →
Earnest
Skip-a-payment flexibility + no late fees
Fixed APR3.43 – 14.83%
Variable APR4.64 – 15.86%
Min. CreditMid-600s
Max Loan100% of COA
Decision: 2 min pre-qualification
Check Your Rate →
SoFi
Member benefits + career coaching included
Fixed APR3.49 – 15.26%
Variable APR4.36 – 15.07%
Min. CreditMid-600s
Max Loan100% of COA
Decision: 2 min pre-qualification
Check Your Rate →

We research and compare lenders so you don’t have to. Rates verified as of January 2026.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation when you click on links to lender products. Rates shown are not guaranteed and depend on creditworthiness, cosigner status, and loan terms. Check with individual lenders for current rates.

What This Means for You

Moderate gap — plan ahead

A $19,122/year gap adds up to $38,244 over the full program. This requires intentional planning but is manageable with the right strategy.

  • Contact the financial aid office — many schools offer institutional grants for students with demonstrated need
  • Look into graduate assistantships, which often include tuition waivers
  • Compare private loan options — rates vary significantly by lender and credit profile
  • Consider whether in-state residency (if applicable) would reduce your costs

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the federal loan limit for Northwest University Business (MBA) students?

Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Northwest University Business (MBA) students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.

Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Northwest University?

No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.

How much does Northwest University Business (MBA) cost per year?

The total cost of attendance for Northwest University Business (MBA) is $39,622 per year. Over the full 2-year program, the total cost is $79,244.

What is the funding gap for Northwest University Business (MBA)?

The annual funding gap is $19,122, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($39,622) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 2-year program, the total gap is $38,244. This is close to the national median of $18,291 for Business (MBA) programs.

Is Northwest University Business (MBA) classified as graduate or professional?

Northwest University Business (MBA) (MBA) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.

Sources & Methodology

Data Sources

  • Cost of attendance: Sourced from Northwest University’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
  • Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Subtitle B, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
  • IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 236133.
  • Program classification: MBA is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.

Methodology

  • Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
  • Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
  • Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
  • Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.

Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.

Northwest University MBA Funding Gap: $19,122/yr | MBA Loan Gap