The information on this page is intended to help students determine their total direct costs (costs paid directly to DigiPen) and indirect costs (costs associated with a student going to school but not paid directly to DigiPen) for a year at DigiPen Institute of Technology.
Students are encouraged to review the costs below and use them to calculate a budget for the year.
Except for tuition and fees, the budgeted costs shown below are based on students’ average expenses and include a living allowance to provide for reasonable expenditures.
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is a standardized set of budgets used as a basis for determining maximum financial aid eligibility. Standard COA includes tuition, fees, housing, food, books, supplies, laptop, transportation, and personal expenses.
Cost of Attendance can vary depending on program of study, living arrangements while in school, and a variety of other factors. COA can also be increased by exception to include expenses such as health insurance, computer purchase, child care, and additional fees.
The following budgets provide cost estimates for one year of attendance at DigiPen as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student living near campus or living with parents. Students can see their individual personalized COA in Colleague Self-Service.
It is important for students and parents to discuss how the family will pay for college. See How to Apply for Financial Aid for more on acquiring need- and merit-based funding to help pay for your college education. Please see the current Budget Sheet for help creating your own personalized budget.
2025-26 Cost of Attendance
This Cost of Attendance is based on 15 credits or more per semester for undergraduate students. Direct costs are billed by DigiPen to the student. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed by the school but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Off-Campus Per Semester* | Off-Campus Per Year* | With Parents Per Semester | With Parents Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Flat Rate Tuition** | $19,860 | $39,720 | $19,860 | $39,720 |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $150 | $75 | $150 |
| New Student Orientation Fee*** | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $19,968 | $4,240 | $8,480 |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $496 | $248 | $496 |
| Laptop Computer**** | $1,522 | $1,522 | $1,522 | $1,522 |
| Software Costs***** | $184 | $368 | $184 | $368 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $144 | $72 | $144 |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $2,560 | $1,280 | $2,560 |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $1,696 | $848 | $1,696 |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $34,323 | $66,974 | $28,579 | $55,486 |
*Off-Campus estimates are for any students living in DigiPen Housing and any other off-campus option that does not involve living with parents.
**Assumes 15-22 credits per semester at $19,860 flat rate tuition. Students enrolled for less than 15 credits a semester are charged tuition at $1,370 per credit.
***New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
****Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
*****The BFA, BA in Music and Sound Design, and BA in Game Design programs have additional software costs included in their cost of attendance based on average cost of required software.
This Cost of Attendance is based on 15 credits or more per semester for undergraduate international students. Direct costs are billed by DigiPen to the student. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed by the school but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Off-Campus Per Semester* | Off-Campus Per Year* | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Flat Rate Tuition** | $22,130 | $44,260 | ||
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 | ||
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $150 | ||
| New Student Orientation Fee*** | $150 | $150 | ||
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $19,968 | ||
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $496 | ||
| Laptop Computer**** | $1,522 | $1,522 | ||
| Software Costs***** | $184 | $368 | ||
| Transportation | $1,280 | $2,560 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $1,696 | ||
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $36,521 | $71,370 | ||
*Off-Campus estimates are for any students living in DigiPen Housing and any other off-campus option that does not involve living with parents.
**Assumes 15-22 credits per semester at $22,130 flat rate tuition. Students enrolled for less than 15 credits a semester are charged tuition at $1,530 per credit.
***New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
****Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
*****The BFA, BA in Music and Sound Design, and BA in Game Design programs have additional software costs included in their cost of attendance based on average cost of required software.
This Cost of Attendance is based on standard recommended program progression and off campus living expenses. Direct costs are billed by DigiPen to the student. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed by the school but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Year 1 Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $12,510 (9 credits) | $12,510 (9 credits) | $25,020 (18 credits) | |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $200 | |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $75 | $150 | |
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $0 | $150 | |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $19,968 | |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $496 | |
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,522 | $0 | $1,522 | |
| Loan Fees | $116 | $116 | $232 | |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $2,560 | |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $1,696 | |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $26,833 | $25,161 | $51,994 | |
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Year 2 Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $12,510 (9 credits) | $12,510 (9 credits) | $25,020 (18 credits) | |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $200 | |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $75 | $150 | |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $19,968 | |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $496 | |
| Loan Fees | $116 | $116 | $232 | |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $2,560 | |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $1,696 | |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $25,161 | $25,161 | $50,332 | |
*Cost is based on $1,390 per credit.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
****Year Two costs are estimated based on available tuition and indirect costs for the current year. Actual Year Two costs are subject to change and will be updated once costs are determined for that academic year.
This Cost of Attendance is based on standard recommended program progression and off campus living expenses. Direct costs are billed by DigiPen to the student. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed by the school but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Year 1 Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $13,770 (9 credits) | $13,770 (9 credits) | $27,540 (18 credits) | |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $200 | |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $75 | $150 | |
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $0 | $150 | |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $19,968 | |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $496 | |
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,522 | $0 | $1,522 | |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $2,560 | |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $1,696 | |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $27,977 | $26,305 | $54,282 | |
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Year 2 Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $13,770 (9 credits) | $13,770 (9 credits) | $27,540 (18 credits) | |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $200 | |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $75 | $150 | |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $19,968 | |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $496 | |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $2,560 | |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $1,696 | |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $26,305 | $26,305 | $52,610 | |
*Cost is based on $1,530 per credit.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
****Year Two costs are estimated based on available tuition and indirect costs for the current year. Actual Year Two costs are subject to change and will be updated once costs are determined for that academic year.
This Cost of Attendance is based on standard recommended program progression and off campus living expenses. Direct costs are billed by DigiPen to the student. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed by the school but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | Year 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $13,800 (12 credits) | $13,800 (12 credits) | $5,175 (9 credits) | $32,775 (33 credits) |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $100 | $300 |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $75 | $75 | $225 |
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $0 | $0 | $150 |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $7,488 | $27,456 |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $186 | $682 |
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,522 | $0 | $0 | $1,522 |
| Software Costs**** | $256 | $256 | $192 | $704 |
| Loan Fees | $116 | $116 | $87 | $319 |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $960 | $3,520 |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $636 | $2,332 |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $28,379 | $26,707 | $14,899 | $69,985 |
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Year 2 Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $16,570 (15 credits) | $13,800 (12 credits) | $30,370 (27 credits) | |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $200 | |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $75 | $150 | |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $19,968 | |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $496 | |
| Software Costs | $256 | $256 | $512 | |
| Loan Fees | $116 | $116 | $232 | |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $2,560 | |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $1,696 | |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $29,477 | $26,707 | $56,184 | |
*Cost is based on $1,150 per credit. Year 1 summer semester includes 50% tuition discount if the student attended the prior fall and spring semesters. Year 2 fall semester tuition is based on a flat rate fee structure.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
****Software costs are only for the MFA program and are based on average cost of required software.
*****Year Two costs are estimated based on available tuition and indirect costs for the current year. Actual Year Two costs are subject to change and will be updated once costs are determined for that academic year.
This Cost of Attendance is based on standard recommended program progression and off campus living expenses. Direct costs are billed by DigiPen to the student. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed by the school but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | Year 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $15,120 (12 credits) | $15,120 (12 credits) | $5,670 (9 credits) | $35,910 (33 credits) |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $100 | $300 |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $75 | $75 | $225 |
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $0 | $0 | $150 |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $7,488 | $27,456 |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $186 | $682 |
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,522 | $0 | $0 | $1,522 |
| Software Costs**** | $256 | $256 | $192 | $704 |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $960 | $3,520 |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $636 | $2,332 |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $29,583 | $27,911 | $15,307 | $72,801 |
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Year 2 Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $18,170 (15 credits) | $15,120 (12 credits) | $33,290 (27 credits) | |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $200 | |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $75 | $150 | |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $19,968 | |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $496 | |
| Software Costs | $256 | $256 | $512 | |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $2,560 | |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $1,696 | |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $30,961 | $27,911 | $58,872 | |
*Cost of $1,260 per credit. Year 1 summer semester includes 50% tuition discount if the student attended the prior fall and spring semesters. Year 2 fall semester tuition is based on flat rate fee structure.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
****Software costs are only for the MFA program and are based on average cost of required software.
*****Year Two costs are estimated based on available tuition and indirect costs for the current year. Actual Year Two costs are subject to change and will be updated once costs are determined for that academic year.
2024-25 Cost of Attendance
“Full-Time” is determined as “12 credits or more per semester.” Students who are planning to attend less than full-time need to contact the Office of Financial Aid to have their budget re-determined. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed to the school, but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Off-Campus Per Semester | Off-Campus Per Year | With Parents Per Semester | With Parents Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Flat Rate Tuition* | $19,300 | $38,600 | $19,300 | $38,600 |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $150 | $75 | $150 |
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,756 | $19,512 | $6,560 | $13,120 |
| Books and Supplies | $372 | $744 | $372 | $744 |
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,587 | $1,587 | $1,587 | $1,587 |
| Software Costs**** | $192 | $384 | $192 | $384 |
| Loan Fees | $64 | $128 | $64 | $128 |
| Transportation | $1,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Personal Expenses | $912 | $1,824 | $912 | $1,824 |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $33,508 | $65,279 | $30,312 | $58,887 |
*Assumes 16-22 credits per semester at $19,300 flat rate tuition. Students enrolled for less than 16 credits a semester are charged tuition at $1,245 per credit.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
****The BFA and BA in Game Design programs have additional software costs included in their cost of attendance based on average cost of required software.
“Full-Time” is determined as “12 credits or more per semester.” Students who are planning to attend less than full-time need to contact the Office of Financial Aid to have their budget re-determined. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed to the school, but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Off-Campus Per Semester | Off-Campus Per Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Flat Rate Tuition* | $21,500 | $43,000 | ||
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 | ||
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $150 | ||
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $150 | ||
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,756 | $19,512 | ||
| Books and Supplies | $372 | $744 | ||
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,587 | $1,587 | ||
| Software Costs**** | $192 | $384 | ||
| Transportation | $1,000 | $2,000 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $912 | $1,824 | ||
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $35,644 | $69,551 | ||
*Assumes 16-22 credits per semester at $21,500 flat rate tuition. Students enrolled for less than 16 credits a semester are charged tuition at $1,400 per credit.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
****The BFA and BA in Game Design programs have additional software costs included in their cost of attendance based on average cost of required software.
“Full-Time” is determined as “9 credits or more per semester” and students are billed per credit hour. Students who are planning to attend less than full-time need to contact the Office of Financial Aid to have their budget re-determined. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed to the school, but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Off-Campus Per Semester | Off-Campus Per Year | With Parents Per Semester | With Parents Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $12,060 | $24,120 | $12,060 | $24,120 |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $150 | $75 | $150 |
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,756 | $19,512 | $6,560 | $13,120 |
| Books and Supplies | $372 | $744 | $372 | $744 |
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,587 | $1,587 | $1,587 | $1,587 |
| Loan Fees | $104 | $208 | $104 | $208 |
| Transportation | $1,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Personal Expenses | $912 | $1,824 | $912 | $1,824 |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $26,116 | $50,495 | $22,920 | $44,103 |
*Assumes 9 credits per semester at $1,340 per credit.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
“Full-Time” is determined as “9 credits or more per semester” and students are billed per credit hour. Students who are planning to attend less than full-time need to contact the Office of Financial Aid to have their budget re-determined. Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed to the school, but are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Off-Campus Per Semester | Off-Campus Per Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $13,320 | $26,640 | ||
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 | ||
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $150 | ||
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $150 | ||
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,756 | $19,512 | ||
| Books and Supplies | $372 | $744 | ||
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,587 | $1,587 | ||
| Transportation | $1,000 | $2,000 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $912 | $1,824 | ||
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $27,272 | $52,807 | ||
*Assumes 9 credits per semester at $1,480 per credit.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
“Flat-rate” is determined as “12-18 credits per semester” and students are billed at a flat rate.
| Costs | Off-Campus Per Semester | Off-Campus Per Year | With Parents Per Semester | With Parents Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $16,100 | $32,200 | $16,100 | $32,200 |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $150 | $75 | $150 |
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,756 | $19,512 | $6,560 | $13,120 |
| Books and Supplies | $372 | $744 | $372 | $744 |
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,587 | $1,587 | $1,587 | $1,587 |
| Software Costs**** | $250 | $500 | $250 | $500 |
| Loan Fees | $104 | $208 | $104 | $208 |
| Transportation | $1,000 | $2,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Personal Expenses | $912 | $1,824 | $912 | $1,824 |
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $30,406 | $59,075 | $27,210 | $52,683 |
*Assumes 12-18 credits per semester at a $16,100 flat rate.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
****Software costs are only for the MFA program and are based on average cost of required software.
“Flat-rate” is determined as “12-18 credits per semester” and students are billed at a flat rate.
| Costs | Off-Campus Per Semester | Off-Campus Per Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $17,650 | $35,300 | ||
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 | ||
| Student Activities Fee | $75 | $150 | ||
| New Student Orientation Fee** | $150 | $150 | ||
| Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $9,756 | $19,512 | ||
| Books and Supplies | $372 | $744 | ||
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,587 | $1,587 | ||
| Software Costs**** | $250 | $500 | ||
| Transportation | $1,000 | $2,000 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $912 | $1,824 | ||
| Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $31,852 | $61,967 | ||
*Assumes 12-18 credits per semester at a $17,650 flat rate.
**New Student Orientation Fee at start of first semester only.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
****Software costs are only for the MFA program and are based on average cost of required software.
Tuition
At DigiPen, tuition is calculated based on the number of credits taken per semester. If you take fewer than 15 credits (undergraduate students), 12 credits (MSCS graduate students) or 15 credits (MFA graduate students) during a given semester, the cost is determined per credit. If you take 15-22 credits (undergraduate students), 12-18 credits (MSCS graduate students) or 15-18 credits (MFA graduate students) during a given semester, the cost is a flat rate instead.
Undergraduate Tuition Cost for the 2025-26 Academic Year
$39,720
U.S. Citizens and Residents
$44,260
Non-U.S. Residents
The average full-time DigiPen undergraduate student takes 17-20 credits per semester. Undergraduate students typically carry a heavier course load during their first two years.
2025-26 Academic Year
The following tuition rates are for all students enrolling for the 2025-26 academic year.
| Tuition Cost Breakdown | U.S. Citizens and Residents | Non-U.S. Residents |
|---|---|---|
Cost per Credit Fewer than 15 credits | $1,370/credit | $1,530/credit |
Cost per Semester 15-22 Credit Flat Rate | $19,860 | $22,130 |
Cost per Year 15-22 Credit Flat Rate | $39,720 | $44,260 |
| Tuition Cost Breakdown | U.S. Citizens and Residents | Non-U.S. Residents |
|---|---|---|
Cost per Credit Fewer than 12 credits | $1,390/credit | $1,530/credit |
Cost per Semester 12-18 Credit Flat Rate | $16,570 | $18,170 |
Cost per Year 12-18 Credit Flat Rate | $33,140 | $36,340 |
| Tuition Cost Breakdown | U.S. Citizens and Residents | Non-U.S. Residents |
|---|---|---|
Cost per Credit Fewer than 15 credits | $1,150/credit | $1,260/credit |
Cost per Semester 15-18 Credit Flat Rate | $16,570 | $18,170 |
Cost per Year 15-18 Credit Flat Rate | $33,140 | $36,340 |
*The recommended program progression for full-time MSCS students in their first year is 9 credits during the fall semester and 9 credits during the spring semester. They should estimate tuition costs on a per credit basis.
**The recommended program progression for full-time MFA students in their first year is 12 credits during the fall semester, 12 credits during the spring semester, and 9 credits during the summer semester. A 50% discounted rate is applied for the summer semester if the student attended the previous fall and spring semesters. They should estimate tuition costs on a per credit basis.
Undergraduate Tuition Cost for the 2024-25 Academic Year
$38,600
U.S. Citizens and Residents
$43,000
Non-U.S. Residents
The average full-time DigiPen undergraduate student takes 17-20 credits per semester. Undergraduate students typically carry a heavier course load during their first two years.
2024-25 Academic Year
The following tuition rates are for all students enrolling for the 2024-25 academic year.
| Tuition Cost Breakdown | U.S. Citizens and Residents | Non-U.S. Residents |
|---|---|---|
Cost per Credit Fewer than 16 credits | $1,245/credit | $1,400/credit |
Cost per Semester 16-22 Credit Flat Rate | $19,300 | $21,500 |
Cost per Year 16-22 Credit Flat Rate | $38,600 | $43,000 |
| Tuition Cost Breakdown | U.S. Citizens and Residents | Non-U.S. Residents |
|---|---|---|
Cost per Credit Fewer than 12 credits | $1,340/credit | $1,480/credit |
Cost per Semester 12-18 Credit Flat Rate | $16,100 | $17,650 |
Cost per Year 12-18 Credit Flat Rate | $32,200 | $35,300 |
* Full-time students in the MS in Computer Science program take 9 credits per semester and should estimate tuition costs on a per credit basis. Full-time students in the MFA in Digital Arts program should estimate tuition costs at the 12-18 credit flat rate.
Fees
In addition to tuition, students must pay certain fees while attending DigiPen. The following fee amounts were last updated upon publication of the 2025-26 Course Catalog.
| Type of Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee This fee must accompany your application form. The application fee is refundable if you cancel your application and request a refund within three days of submitting the application fee. This fee can be waived for students who demonstrate financial need through an SAT fee-waiver program or who participate in a similar need-based program. DigiPen also provides fee waivers to applicants who visit the campus for an admissions meeting or on-site information session or who attend an online outreach event. | $60 |
| Enrollment Fee Upon admission into a degree program, an enrollment fee must be paid to confirm enrollment. If you cancel enrollment, you may request a refund of the enrollment fee within three days of signing the enrollment agreement and making an initial payment. | $150 |
| Administrative Fee This fee covers administrative support for students, such as a limited number of transcript requests, add/drop requests, and enrollment verification. This fee also covers the technology available in workspaces and classrooms and the maintenance costs associated with the upkeep of the equipment. | $100/semester |
| Student Engagement Fee The Student Activities Fee assists in funding the cocurricular experience at DigiPen. The funding will be split between the Associated Students of DigiPen (20%), Registered Student Organizations (20%) and the Dragons Activities Board (60%). This funding provides social and educational programs to the campus community and assists with the holistic DigiPen experience. This funding is managed by the Office of Student Engagement and is the only funding whose spending is directly influenced by students. | $75/semester |
| New Student Orientation (NSO) Fee This fee assists with covering programmatic and meal needs for orientation and the first week of cocurricular programming. | $150 start of first semester only |
| Course Fees Some courses may require lab or material fees. | Please refer to course descriptions in Colleague Self-Service |
| Type of Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Alumni Audit Fees DigiPen alumni may audit courses at a significantly reduced cost. Tuition, application, and enrollment fees are waived, but alumni must pay any course, administrative, and technology fees. Fees are non-refundable for alumni audits. | $100/Semester and course material fees, if applicable (see individual course descriptions for any additional course fees) |
| Readmission Fee A $25 application fee must accompany the readmission application form. The application fee is refundable if the applicant requests a refund within three days after submitting the application fee and cancels their application. | $25 |
| Delinquent Account Fee A monthly service fee is applied to delinquent accounts. A student’s account is considered delinquent if the student has a balance due on the first day of the month following the start of the semester. | $50/month |
| Replacement Diploma Fee This fee covers the cost to replace a missing or lost diploma. | $20 plus variable shipping costs |
| Type of Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application Fee This fee must accompany your application form. The application fee is refundable if you cancel your application and request a refund within three days of submitting the application fee. This fee can be waived for students who demonstrate financial need through an SAT fee-waiver program or who participate in a similar need-based program. DigiPen also provides fee waivers to applicants who visit the campus for an admissions meeting or on-site information session or who attend an online outreach event. | $60 |
| Enrollment Fee Upon admission into a degree program, an enrollment fee must be paid to confirm enrollment. If you cancel enrollment, you may request a refund of the enrollment fee within three days of signing the enrollment agreement and making an initial payment. | $150 |
| Administrative Fee This fee covers administrative support for students, such as a limited number of transcript requests, add/drop requests, and enrollment verification. This fee also covers the technology available in workspaces and classrooms and the maintenance costs associated with the upkeep of the equipment. | $100/semester |
| Student Activities Fee The Student Activities Fee assists in funding the cocurricular experience at DigiPen. The funding will be split between the Associated Students of DigiPen (20%), Registered Student Organizations (20%) and the Dragons Activities Board (60%). This funding provides social and educational programs to the campus community and assists with the holistic DigiPen experience. This funding is managed by the Office of Student Engagement and is the only funding whose spending is directly influenced by students. | $75/semester |
| New Student Orientation (NSO) Fee This fee assists with covering programmatic and meal needs for orientation and the first week of cocurricular programming. | $150 start of first semester only |
| Course Fees Some courses may require lab or material fees. | Please refer to course descriptions on Colleague CSS |
| Type of Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Alumni Audit Fees DigiPen alumni may audit courses at a significantly reduced cost. Tuition, application, and enrollment fees are waived, but alumni must pay any course, administrative, and technology fees. Fees are non-refundable for alumni audits. | See individual course descriptions for any additional course fees |
| Readmission Fee A $25 application fee must accompany the readmission application form. The application fee is refundable if the applicant requests a refund within three days after submitting the application fee and cancels their application. | $25 |
| Delinquent Account Fee A monthly service fee is applied to delinquent accounts. A student’s account is considered delinquent if the student has a balance due on the first day of the month following the start of the semester. | $50/month |
| Replacement Diploma Fee This fee covers the cost to replace a missing or lost diploma. | Variable depending on shipping costs |
Net Price Calculator
The Net Price Calculator is designed to help you estimate your potential financial aid options and calculate the remaining costs of attending DigiPen. The final “net price” is the remaining estimated cost of attending DigiPen after subtracting anticipated merit- and need-based financial aid. To use this calculator, you will need tax information (or estimates, if tax info is unavailable) for you and your parents. The results of this calculator are based on the costs of attendance for students from previous years and are for estimation purposes only.