Graduate Costs and Financial Aid
For the 2025-26 Academic Year
The COA typically includes tuition, fees, housing, food, and other standard student expenses, giving you an overall estimate of what you’ll need to cover for a year. The final amount will vary depending on the credit load you take, your choice of meal plan, housing options, and any personal expenses.
If you need help understanding or breaking down a specific part of the COA, refer to the charts below.
- What is a direct cost? Expenses that are billed directly to you by Alma College that include mandatory costs that the school charges as part of your enrollment (such as tuition and fees) and will show up on your student account billing statement.
- What is an indirect cost? Expenses that Alma College does not bill you for, but that you’ll still need to consider when budgeting for your time at school. These costs are typically not tied directly to tuition or housing but are still important to factor into your total budget.
Graduate Program Costs
The following details the Cost of Attendance, including estimated direct and indirect expenses, and incorporates Alma College tuition and fees for individual graduate programs.
MS in Communication and Information Technology
MS in Communication and Information Technology
MS in Communication and Information Technology
Tuition and Fees
| Per Term: | Fall | Winter | Annual Cost (two terms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Graduate Tuition – CIT* | $3,000 | $3,000 | $6,000 |
| CIT Administrative Fee** | $348 | $348 | $696 |
*$500 per credit hour; 6 credits per term
**$61 per credit hour; 6 credits per term
*This amount represents the total cost of the program. You will be charged per credit hour so your personal costs will be dependent on the pace you progress through the program. All classes in the program are three credits.
Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs |
|
| Tuition – 6 credits per term | $6,000 |
| CIT Administration Fee | $696 |
| Total Direct Costs | $6,686 |
Indirect Costs |
|
| Books and Supplies | $1,170 |
| Off-Campus Housing and Food Allocation | $27,136 |
| Transportation | $1,150.00 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,950.00 |
| Loan Fees | $216.00 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $31,622 |
MFA in Creative Writing
MFA in Creative Writing
MFA in Creative Writing
Tuition and Fees
| Per Term: | Fall (per term) | Winter (per term) | Other Fees | Annual Cost (two terms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment Deposit | $300 (one-time) | |||
| MFA Graduate Tuition * | $12,098 | $12,098 | $24,196 | |
| MFA Graduate Residency Cost** | $6,000 | $3,000 | $9,000 | |
| Single Room Fee (optional)*** | $200 |
*$782 per credit hour; 15 credits per term
***Available winter term only
Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs |
|
| Tuition – 15 Credits | $24,196 |
| Residency Cost – International** | $6,000 |
| Residency Cost – Domestic** | $3,000 |
| Total Direct Costs | $33,196 |
Indirect Costs |
|
| Books and Supplies | $1,170 |
| Off-Campus Housing and Food Allocation | $27,136 |
| Transportation | $1,150 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,950 |
| Loan Fees | $216 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $31,622 |
**Additional expenses include books and travel to and from Michigan twice a year for residencies or, optionally, to Oxford, England once.
MA in Special Education
MA in Special Education
MA in Special Education
Tuition and Fees
| Per Term: | Fall | Winter | Spring and Summer | Annual Full Time Resident |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,022 | $5,022 | $10,044 | |
| MA in Special Education Fee | $199 | $199 |
<span class=”small”>*$837 per credit hour; 6 credits per term
</span>
Cost of Attendance
Direct Costs |
|
| Tuition – 6 credits per term | $10,044 |
| Course Fee | $398 |
| Total Direct Costs | $10,442 |
Indirect Costs |
|
| Books and Supplies | $1,170 |
| Off-Campus Housing and Food Allocation | $27,136 |
| Transportation | $1,150.00 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,950.00 |
| Loan Fees | $216.00 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $31,622 |
*This amount represents the total cost of the program. You will be charged per credit hour so your personal costs will be dependent on the pace you progress through the program.