2020-21 Graduate Cost of Attendance

A student's cost of attendance is always based on the student’s financial aid enrollment status and is constructed to allow the student a reasonable cost of living based on the amount of time a student will spend attending classes or completing academic activities. 

For specific cost of attendance by program, please review the tuition and fees page.

Note: because Columbia does not charge students a mandatory health insurance fee, the college is unable to include an allowance for health insurance costs as part of the standard cost of attendance construction.

For graduate students attending Columbia full-time during the 2020-21 academic year, please review an estimated budget below.

Graduate cost of attendance, full-time, Fall and Spring semesters*
Tuition $14,088
Estimated Fees $588-$864
Books and Supplies $962
Miscellaneous

An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs.

 $1,003
Transportation $425
Loan Fees $104
Room and board  $8,228
Total estimated costs $25,674

*These numbers reflect the estimated cost of attendance for full-time graduate students, per semester, for 9-month programs, on and off campus.

For graduate students registered for fewer than 9 credits hours (fall/spring semesters), please keep reading to review example budgets.

Please note: Costs are per semester.

  • Three-quarters time (8 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (Fall and Spring)
    Tuition $9,392
    Estimated Fees $325-$509
    Books and Supplies $722
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs; prorated for any enrollment status less than Full-Time.

    		 $752
    Transportation $319
    Loan Fees $104
    Room and board $6,171
    Total estimated costs $17,969
  • Half-time (6-7 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (Fall and Spring)
    Tuition $7,044
    Estimated Fees $325-$463
    Books and Supplies $481
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs; prorated for any enrollment status less than Full-Time.

    		 $502
    Transportation $213
    Loan Fees $104
    Room and Board $4,114
    Total estimated costs $12,921
  • Less than half-time (1-5)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (Fall and Spring)
    Tuition $2,348
    Estimated Fees $175-$221
    Books and Supplies $241
    Miscellaneous

    Students at less-than half-time are ineligible for a miscellaneous allowance per federal regulations.

    		 $0
    Transportation $106
    Loan Fees $104
    Room and board $2,057
    Total estimated costs $5,077

For graduate students attending Columbia full-time during Summer 2021, please review an estimated budget below.

Graduate cost of attendance, full-time, summer session*
Tuition $8,218
Estimated Fees $550-$711
Books and Supplies $962
Miscellaneous

An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs.

 $669
Transportation $283
Loan Fees $69
Room and board $6,400
Total estimated costs $17,312

*This table indicates how a graduate student’s budget is determined during the summer semester for programs where summer enrollment is considered optional. These numbers reflect the estimated cost of attendance for full-time graduate students during the summer session, on and off campus.

For graduate students registered for fewer than 5 credits hours (summer semesters), please keep reading to review estimated budgets.

  • Three-quarters time (4 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (summer)
    Tuition  $4,696
    Estimated Fees $325-$417
    Books and Supplies $722
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs; prorated for any enrollment status less than Full-Time.

    		 $502
    Transportation $212
    Loan Fees $69
    Room and board $4,800
    Total estimated costs $11,418
  • Half-time (3 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (summer)
    Tuition $3,522
    Estimated Fees $355-$424
    Books and Supplies $481
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs; prorated for any enrollment status less than Full-Time.

    		 $335
    Transportation $142
    Loan Fees $69
    Room and board $3,200
    Total estimated costs $8,173
  • Less than half-time (1-2 credits or less)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (summer)
    Tuition $2,348
    Estimated Fees $175-$221
    Books and Supplies $241
    Miscellaneous

    Students at less-than half-time are ineligible for a miscellaneous allowance per federal regulations.

    		 $0
    Transportation $71
    Loan Fees $69
    Room and board $1,600
    Total estimated costs $4,550
Academic Dates and Deadlines