Membership & Living Costs
Fraternity chapter houses have been a part of Northwestern's campus community for generations—offering a unique residential experience that is typically more affordable than on-campus housing.
About fraternity housing
Live alongside brothers on the Lakefill
Northwestern's IFC fraternity houses are located steps from Lake Michigan and the heart of Evanston's campus. Chapter houses accommodate between 15–60 residents and often include amenities that rival—and surpass—standard residence halls.
Average quarterly costs across IFC chapters
What does fraternity living cost?
Figures represent averages across reporting chapters. Costs vary by house and occupancy type.
Room costs
$3,630
per quarter avg
Board (meals)
$2,013
per quarter avg
Chapter dues
$439
per quarter avg
Cost comparison
Fraternity housing vs. NU residence halls
All costs are per quarter (3 quarters per academic year).
IFC Chapter House
~$5,100 / quarter
Range: $3,900 low — $6,700 high
Includes room, meals, utilities, chapter dues, and social programming. One-time new member fees of approximately $15–$1,310 may apply in the first quarter.
Double Room + Open Access Meal Plan
~$7,325 / quarter
Based on $21,975 annual room & board estimate
Standard on-campus double room with the required Open Access meal plan. Mandatory for first- and second-year students under NU's two-year residency requirement.
Context
Northwestern housing at a glance
Northwestern's on-campus room and board runs approximately $21,975 per academic year—among the highest in the Big Ten, which averages roughly $9,931 for housing alone. Single rooms cost about 15% more than doubles. NU's room inventory has expanded significantly, reaching 74 distinct options for 2024–25.
Fraternity houses are owned primarily by Northwestern and leased to each chapter's housing corporation. This allows houses to self-manage operations or opt in to Residential Services management, giving chapters flexibility in how they run their living spaces.