2026-27 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 2026-27 academic year, please review an estimated budget below. These estimates apply to the following graduate degrees: Media for Social Impact, MA; Creative Writing, MFA; User Experience and Interaction Design, MA; and Strategic Communication, MA.

Graduate cost of attendance, full-time, per semester, Fall and Spring semesters*
Tuition $15,840
Estimated Fees (including U-Pass) $628
Books and Supplies $1,110
Miscellaneous

An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs

 $2,650
Transportation $550
Loan Fees $104
Room and board  $8,370
Total estimated costs $29,252

*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

    		 $10,560
    Estimated Fees (Including estimated U-Pass)* $508
    Books and Supplies $833
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs

    		 $1,988
    Transportation $413
    Loan Fees $104
    Room and board $6,908
    Total estimated costs $21,314

    *Final U-Pass cost pending Chicago Transit Authority approval

  • Half-time (6-7 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (Fall and Spring)
    Tuition $7,920
    Estimated Fees (including estimated U-Pass) $508
    Books and Supplies $555
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs

    		 $1,325
    Transportation $275
    Loan Fees $104
    Room and Board $5,445
    Total estimated costs $16,132

    *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 $2,640
    Estimated Fees $192
    Books and Supplies $278
    Transportation $138
    Total estimated costs $3,248

For graduate students attending Columbia full-time during Summer 2027, please review an estimated budget below.

Graduate cost of attendance, full-time, summer session*
Tuition $9,240
Estimated Fees (includes U-Pass) $590
Books and Supplies $885
Miscellaneous

An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs

 $925
Transportation $370
Loan Fees $69
Room and board $5,916
Total estimated costs $17,995

*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  $5,280
    Estimated Fees (Includes U-Pass) $470
    Books and Supplies $664
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs

    		 $694
    Transportation $278
    Loan Fees $69
    Room and board $4,941
    Total estimated costs $12,396
  • Half-time (3 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (summer)
    Tuition $3,960
    Estimated Fees $470
    Books and Supplies $443
    Miscellaneous

    An estimated amount of expenses for personal costs

    		 $463
    Transportation $185
    Loan Fees $69
    Room and board $3,966
    Total estimated costs $9,556
  • Less than half-time (1-2 credits)
    Graduate cost of attendance, per semester (summer)
    Tuition $2,640
    Estimated Fees $192
    Books and Supplies $221
    Transportation $93
    Total estimated costs $3,146
Academic Dates and Deadlines