2024-25 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 2024-25 academic year, please review an estimated budget below.

Graduate cost of attendance, full-time, Fall and Spring semesters*
Tuition $16,008
Estimated Fees (including U-Pass) $605
Books and Supplies $1,075
Miscellaneous

An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs.

 $1,120
Transportation $475
Loan Fees $104
Room and board  $11,700
Total estimated costs $31,807

*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

    		 $10,672
    Estimated Fees (Including estimated U-Pass)* $491
    Books and Supplies $806
    Miscellaneous

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

    		 $840
    Transportation $356
    Loan Fees $104
    Room and board $9,724
    Total estimated costs $22,993

    *Final U-Pass cost pending Chicago Transit Authority approval

  • Half-time (6-7 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (Fall and Spring)
    Tuition $8,004
    Estimated Fees (including estimated U-Pass) $491
    Books and Supplies $538
    Miscellaneous

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

    		 $560
    Transportation $238
    Loan Fees $104
    Room and Board $7,743
    Total estimated costs $17,678

    *Final U-Pass cost pending Chicago Transit Authority approval

  • Less than half-time (1-5)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (Fall and Spring)
    Tuition $2,668
    Estimated Fees $182
    Books and Supplies $269
    Transportation $119
    Loan Fees $104
    Room and board $2,925
    Total estimated costs $6,267

For graduate students attending Columbia full-time during Summer 2025, please review an estimated budget below.

Graduate cost of attendance, full-time, summer session*
Tuition $9,338
Estimated Fees (includes U-Pass) $567
Books and Supplies $860
Miscellaneous

An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs.

 $900
Transportation $380
Loan Fees $69
Room and board $6,624
Total estimated costs $18,738

*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  $5,336
    Estimated Fees (Includes U-Pass) $453
    Books and Supplies $645
    Miscellaneous

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

    		 $675
    Transportation $285
    Loan Fees $69
    Room and board $5,724
    Total estimated costs $13,187
  • Half-time (3 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (summer)
    Tuition $4,002
    Estimated Fees $453
    Books and Supplies $430
    Miscellaneous

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

    		 $450
    Transportation $190
    Loan Fees $69
    Room and board $4,824
    Total estimated costs $10,418
  • Less than half-time (1-2 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (summer)
    Tuition $2,668
    Estimated Fees $182
    Books and Supplies $215
    Loan Fees $69
    Room and board $1,656
    Total estimated costs $4,790
Academic Dates and Deadlines