Estimating Costs

Tuition and fees are based on full-time enrollment, defined as 12-18 credit hours per term for undergraduate students. Those electing fewer than 12 credit hours are charged on a per-credit-hour basis. Those electing more than 18 hours must pay for additional credits.

For financial aid eligibility, full-time for graduate students is defined as eight credit hours per term (however, for tuition rate purposes, full-time for graduate students is defined as nine credit hours per term). 

The undergraduate and graduate rates for the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts are shown below on this page; tuition and fees may be higher or lower, depending on a student's program of study. Current full- and part-time tuition and fees for all U-M schools and colleges are available from the Office of the Registrar.

For residency questions, contact the Office of the Registrar. Visit Student Financial Services for information about your U-M account, eBill, installment payment plans, and payment dates. Students with chronic health issues that require hospitalization may consider the university's tuition insurance plan. Visit the Tuition Refund Plan page at the University Health Service website.

• Living on campus? The University Housing website provides detailed schedules of housing options, rates and meal plans. All residence hall room contracts require a meal plan for both fall and winter semesters. For budgets, we use a weighted average and the unlimited basic residential meal plan rate to determine eligibility. Your actual charges will vary based on the type of housing and food plan you elect. For example, you would pay more for a single room and less for an economy triple.
• Living off campus? The financial aid budget allows for living expenses (rent, utilities, food, and other miscellaneous housing costs) up to estimated costs for living in a residence hall. Your costs will depend on housing arrangements and lifestyle, so carefully evaluate your options. If you live off-campus, you pay your rent directly to a landlord instead of having housing costs deducted from your student account. Plan accordingly, since you will have four months’ rent to pay per semester. If you live off-campus, you may save money by having roommates. If you live off-campus and find that your costs exceed our estimates for living expenses, contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss your individual needs.
• Commuting from home? Students who live with parents and commute to campus can reduce their direct costs for living expenses. The allowance for undergraduate students living with parents is $5,840 for the academic year to acknowledge ongoing family household expenses (food for three meals a day, utilities, etc.).

Costs vary by program, course load, and selected classes. Costs for students in the Stamps School of Art & Design, Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Dental Hygiene, and business administration are typically higher than estimates listed on this page. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for exact figures.

Reduce your costs by comparing prices, buying used books, renting books, or using the university's library and reserve book system.

This is an allowance for estimated typical transportation costs. Transportation could be between campus and a place of work, or campus and a residence.

This category includes other student expenses such as cell phone bills, clothes, personal hygiene, student insurance, and entertainment. This is the most variable part of a student's budget. The financial aid budget allows about $68/week for undergraduate students and $100/week for graduate degree students. Set an allowance, track expenses, and stick to your budget.