Cost of Attendance: Online Option 2025-2026

Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of students educational expenses for the period of enrollment, as determined by the university. COA includes, but is not limited to: Tuition Fees, Housing, Food, Books, Personal, Transportation/Commuting.

Billable charges are listed as estimates in the COA and may change based on a student’s actual enrollment for a term and based on the final tuition and fee rates approved by the Board of Trustees.

• Billable (Direct) Costs – Direct costs are the actual charges that a student is billed by the School of Social Work or Columbia University.
   
• Estimated (Indirect) Costs – Indirect costs are other estimated costs associated with attending School of Social Work. These are not exact costs, but are used to help students estimate a total cost of attendance for a year of enrollment at School of Social Work.

Need-based scholarship, grants, loans, and Federal Work Study are based on students demonstrated financial need. The COA is the cornerstone of establishing a student’s financial need, as it sets a limit on the total aid that a student may receive for purposes of Campus-Based Programs, Scholarships, Grants, Direct Unsubsidized, Grad Plus Loans and private loans.

An explanation of the different fees can be found here. Financial aid information can be found on our Paying for Your Degree page.

Flat-Rate Programs (Two-Year, Transfer, and Advanced Standing)

• Fall and Spring: the flat rate covers 10.5 to 19.5 credits per term. Credits below 10.5 or above 19.5 are charged the per-credit rate of $2,025.

Per-Credit Programs (Part-Time to Full-Time (Extended), One-Year Residency for Working Professionals (Reduced Residency), and Part-Time)

• Students are charged $2,025 per credit, per term.
• Tuition figures shown above are estimates based on 6 credits per term.

International Students Program (Five-Term)

• Fall and Spring: the flat rate covers 10.5 to 16.5 credits per term.
• Summer: the flat rate covers 10.5 to 13.5 credits.

Actual tuition may differ. Log in to Net Partner to see personalized amounts based on your actual or anticipated enrollment.