The Cost of Attendance (COA), also referred to as the student’s budget, is used to determine the maximum amount of financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) a student can receive for any given award period. The Cost of Attendance does not represent actual charges to the student’s account. You can easily view all of your actual charges by using the MyBU Student Portal.
If you enroll in Boston University’s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), you may also add this cost to the total. The annual premium for 2026-2027 is $4,054. Additional information regarding insurance can be found at Student Accounting Services.
To determine your total cost of attendance, add the cost of tuition and fees (as either a full-time or a part-time student) to the Standard Living Expenses listed below. Example: The Cost of Attendance for a typical full-time graduate student is approx. $100,266, that is $73,024 in tuition, $1,048 in fees, $4,054 for insurance, and $22,140 for standard living expenses.
2026-27 Full-Time Students by Enrollment (12-18 credits)
| Tuition | $36,512 per semester; $73,024 for the academic year |
| Student Services Fee | $229 per semester; $458 for the academic year |
| Health & Wellness Fee | $295 per semester; $590 for the academic year |
2026-27 Full-Time Students by Fellowship or Certification (1-11 credits)
| Tuition | $2,282 per credit |
| Student Services Fee | $229 per semester; $458 for the academic year |
| Health & Wellness Fee | $295 per semester; $590 for the academic year |
2026-27 Part-Time Students by Enrollment (1-11 credits)
| Tuition | $2,282 per credit |
| Student Services Fee | $75 per semester; $150 for the academic year |
2026-27 Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)
Please refer to our PhD & MFA: Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) FAQs for more information.
| Aug 15, 2026 – Aug 14, 2027 | Annual Rate |
| Student Only | $4,054 |
| Spouse | $4,054 |
| One Child | $4,054 |
| Children | $8,108 |
2026-27 Standard Living Expenses
Standard Living Expenses are not billed to the student; they are an estimate of average educational and living expenses and are used to determine the amount of financial aid a student can receive.
| Item | AY25-26 | Summer 26 | AY26-27 |
| Housing | $11,710 | $4,106 | $12,315 |
| Food | $3,740 | $1,310 | $3,935 |
| Personal | $3,292 | $1,104 | $3,292 |
| Transportation | $1,120 | $372 | $1,120 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,264 | $0 | $1,264 |
| Direct Loan Fees* | $208 | $0 | $214 |
| TOTAL | $21,334 | $6,892 | $22,140 |
* An average of the origination fees for the Federal Direct Loan that applies to all students regardless of whether the loan is borrowed.