Estimate Graduate Education Costs
Estimate Your Graduate Education Costs
Graduate education costs vary by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method.
Master's and Advanced Certificate Students
Use the resources on this page to understand your graduate education cost of attendance.
Online Students
Tuition varies for online degree programs. Visit your online degree program page for more details about the degree and tuition costs.
Ph.D. Students
Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will pay a stipend for the academic year. Contact your Ph.D. admissions counselor for more information.
What Factors into the Cost of Attendance?
Tuition & Fees
Graduate tuition is billed:
- at $2,257 per credit hour when enrolled in fewer than 12 credits per semester
- at a fixed rate of $27,088 when enrolled for 12-18 credits per semester
The number of credits taken per semester varies by degree. Students registered for 9 or more credits per semester are billed a student activity fee ($169/semester) and a student health services fee ($230/semester). RIT offers graduate students a comprehensive, global health insurance policy ($1,190/semester). International students are automatically enrolled and billed each semester; enrollment is voluntary for domestic students (US citizens).
Additional Expenses
Additional expenses are comprised of:
- estimated living expenses (housing and meals): $14,978 per year
- estimated transportation, books, supplies, and personal expenses: $2,974 per year
These vary by student and are usually not billed by RIT, unless a student resides in on-campus housing and/or purchases an RIT Dining meal plan.
RIT Scholarships
RIT may award a scholarship to you to reduce tuition. You are considered for merit-based scholarships when you apply for admission; no separate application is required. Scholarships are awarded as a percentage of tuition. The dollar amount of the scholarship will adjust based on the actual credit hours you enroll per semester. Please refer to the examples below.
RIT Assistantships
RIT Graduate Assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. The compensation varies depending on the assistantship type and could be a set dollar amount per semester based on an hourly wage.
The number of credits taken each semester determine how your tuition is billed.
How to Estimate Your Tuition
You can estimate one semester or the entire degree tuition. Start here.
- 1. Each degree recommends a certain number of credits to be taken per semester. Identify if your degree recommends up to 11 credits per semester or 12-18 credits per semester by searching for your degree below.
- 2. Find the corresponding formula and example below to calculate estimated tuition.
Contact us if you have questions or need help.
Important Notes:
- These formulas provide estimates only. Each student's situation can vary in schedule, time to degree completion, and prerequisites.
- This estimate is based on the current year’s tuition and does not include fees and expenses. Typically, tuition rates increase 3-5% each academic year. A 30% scholarship is provided as an example only. Scholarships are not guaranteed.
Estimate Tuition per Semester
- Read the instructions then use the applicable formula below to estimate your tuition for one semester.
- You may have additional factors to consider in your graduate education costs. Review the tuition estimate notes.
Degrees up to 11 credits per semester
Formula
Tuition per semester = credits per semester x per credit hour rate. Any scholarships are deducted, resulting in net tuition per semester.
Example
|
Net tuition per semester |
$14,219 |
Degrees with 12-18 credits per semester
Formula
Tuition per semester = fixed rate per semester. Any scholarships are deducted, resulting in net tuition per semester.
Example
|
Net tuition per semester |
$18,962 |
Estimate Total Degree Tuition
- Read the instructions then use the applicable formula below to estimate your total degree tuition.
- You may have additional factors to consider in your graduate education costs. Review the tuition estimate notes.
Degrees up to 11 credits per semester
Formula
Degree tuition = credits required to complete the degree x per credit hour rate. Any scholarships are deducted, resulting in net degree tuition.
Example
| Degree | Computer Science MS |
| Credits per semester | 9 |
| Credits to complete the degree | 30 |
| Per credit hour rate | $2,257 |
|
Net degree tuition |
$47,397 |
Degrees with 12-18 credits per semester
Formula
Degree tuition = the number of semesters to complete the degree (credits to complete the degree / credits per semester) x fixed rate per semester. Any scholarships are deducted, resulting in net degree tuition.
Example
| Degree | Business Administration MBA |
| Credits per semester | 12 |
| Credits to complete the degree | 48 |
| Fixed rate per semester | $27,088 |
| Semesters to completion | 48 / 12 = 4 |
| Degree tuition | 4 x $27,088 = $108,352 |
| 30% scholarship | $108,352 x .30 = $32,506 |
|
Net degree tuition |
$75,846 |
Funding Your Education
Assistantships, loans, scholarships, co-op wages, and multiple other sources can help fund your graduate investment.
No Tuition or Fees While on Co-op
You won’t be charged fees or tuition while on co-op, because we believe you should be able to focus on developing your skills, gaining hands-on experience, and exploring your professional future without worrying about extra expenses.
Tuition Estimate Notes
- Changes in semester credit hours
-
It is possible that during the course of a student's study they may move from being charged on a “per-credit-hour” basis to the fixed rate, or vice versa, if the student takes 3 courses (9 credits) or fewer in one semester, then 4 or more courses (12+ credits) in another.
- Bridge or pre-requisite courses
-
Bridge or pre-requisite courses may be required by a department as a condition of admission to a degree program. Bridge or pre-requisite courses may add additional credit hours and costs. Academic courses assigned as pre-requisites or bridge courses are charged at the per credit hour rate.
- English language courses
-
All graduate students whose native language is not English are required to submit scores for an international test of English (TOEFL, IELTS, or the PTE Academic). Those who do not meet the requirements set by the graduate department to which they apply will be admitted contingent upon their taking English language courses in addition to their academic program. RIT scholarship funding is not applied to the charges associated with English Language Center courses. View English language course tuition
- No fees or tuition while on co-op
-
Neither tuition nor fees are charged while you are on co-op.
- Online students
-
Tuition for online degree programs vary. Students pursuing an online degree should visit their degree program page for more details about online degrees and tuition costs.
Degree Requiring Up to 11 Credits per Semester
The information, formulas, and examples provided on this page are designed to collectively help you estimate your graduate education tuition. The information should be read in its entirety in order to calculate the closest estimate to your tuition. The only way you will know for certain what it costs to attend RIT is by applying for admission and receiving official notification of your admission, any financial aid you are awarded, and any prerequisites required.
The scholarship amounts and percentages provided are examples only and must not be interpreted as the actual scholarship amount you may receive if admitted to RIT. Any financial aid offer will be determined by the RIT Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and the Office of Graduate Admissions once credentials have been evaluated.