2025-2026 Undergraduate Cost of Attendance

Figures on this page apply to students whose first term of enrollment is fall 2025 or later. They also apply to students returning to Columbia after an interruption of more than one academic year.

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 a list of Columbia's direct costs, 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.

Here is an estimated budget for students attending Columbia full-time during the 2025-26 academic year.

Undergraduate cost of attendance, full time, per semester (fall/spring)*
Tuition  $17,749
Fees (including estimated U-Pass) $923
Books and Supplies  $1,725
Miscellaneous - An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs. $1,163
Transportation  $490
Loan Fees  $40
Subtotal $22,090
Room and board for students living with parents  $6,030
Total for students living with parents $28,120
Room and board for students living without their parents  $11,942
Total for students living without their parents $34,032

*Costs are per semester. These numbers show tuition and fees for full-time undergraduate students, including degree programs, certificate programs, and student-at-large. The costs above reflect 12-18 credit hours. 

For students registered for fewer than 12 credit hours (for fall/spring semesters), please keep reading to review estimated budgets.

Please note: Costs are per semester. 

  • Three-quarters time (9-11 credits)
    Undergraduate students registered for 9-11 credit hours (fall/spring)*
    Tuition  $13,497
    Estimated Fees (including estimated U-Pass)* $615
    Books and Supplies $1,481
    Miscellaneous - An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs. $872
    Transportation $368
    Loan Fees $40
    Subtotal

    $16,873

    *Final U-Pass cost pending Chicago Transit Authority approval

    Room and board for students living with parents $5,486
    Total for students living with parents $22,341
    Room and board for students living without their parents $9,902
    Total for students living without their parents $26,775

     

  • Half-time (6-8 credits)
    Undergraduate students registered for 6-8 credit hours (fall/spring)*
    Tuition  $9,816
    Estimated Fees (including estimated U-Pass)* $615
    Books and Supplies $1,238
    Miscellaneous - An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs. $581
    Transportation $245
    Loan Fees $40
    Subtotal $12,535

    *Final U-Pass cost pending Chicago Transit Authority approval

    Room and board for students living with parents $4,905
    Total for students living with parents $17,440
    Room and board for students living without their parents $7,861
    Total for students livingwithout their parents $20,396
  • Less-than half-time (5 credits or less)
    Undergraduate students registered for less than 5 credit hours (fall/spring)*
    Tuition  $6,135
    Estimated Fees $462
    Books and Supplies $994
    Transportation $123
    Subtotal $7,714
    Room and board for students living with parents $1,508
    Total for students living with parents $9,099
    Room and board for students living without their parents $2,986
    Total for students living without their parents $10,700

For students attending Columbia full-time during the 2026 summer semester, please review the estimated budget.

Undergraduate cost of attendance, summer session**
Tuition  $10,776
Estimated Fees (includes estimated U-Pass)* $885
Books and Supplies $785
Miscellaneous

An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs.

 $885
Transportation $370
Loan Fees $26
Subtotal $13,727

*Final U-Pass cost pending Chicago Transit Authority approval.

Room and board for students living with parents $4,524
Total for students living with parents $18,251
Room and board for students living without their parents $6,924
Total for students living without their parents $20,651

**Tuition costs are per credit hour. The costs above reflect exactly 12 credit hours. Each additional credit hour is $898.

For students registered for fewer than 12 credit hours (for summer semesters), please keep reading to review estimated budgets.

  • Three-quarters time (9-11 credits)
    Undergraduate students registered for 9-11 credit hours (summer)
    Tuition $9,878
    Estimated Fees (includes estimated U-Pass)* $577
    Books and Supplies $589
    Miscellaneous

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

    		 $664
    Transportation $212
    Loan Fees $26
    Subtotal $11,946

    *Final U-Pass cost pending Chicago Transit Authority approval.

    Room and board for students living with parents $4,149
    Total for students living with parents $16,095
    Room and board for students living without their parents $5,949
    Total for students living without their parents $17,895
  • Half-time (6-8 credits)
    Undergraduate students registered for 6-8 credit hours (summer)
    Tuition  $7,184
    Estimated Fees (includes estimated U-Pass) $577
    Books and Supplies $393
    Miscellaneous

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

    		 $443
    Transportation $142
    Loan Fees $26
    Subtotal $8,765

    *Final U-Pass cost pending Chicago Transit Authority approval.

    Room and board for students living with parents $3,774
    Total for students living with parents $12,539
    Room and board for students without their parents $4,974
    Total for students living without parents $13,739
  • Less-than half-time (5 credits or fewer)
    Undergraduate students registered for 5 or fewer credit hours (summer)
    Tuition  $4,490
    Estimated Fees $462
    Books and Supplies $196
    Transportation $71
    Subtotal $5,219
    Room and board for students living with parents $1,131
    Total for students living with parents $6,350
    Room and board for students living without their parents $1,731
    Total for students living without their parents $6,950
Academic Dates and Deadlines