Estimated Cost of Attendance

Click here for current Tuition and Fee rates.
Click here for current Food and Housing costs.

Each year, the Office of Financial Aid Administration develops an Estimated (COA) which is used to determine financial aid eligibility. This number reflects average educational costs and is used to predict what it could cost to attend UWM. Students may not receive financial aid in an amount that exceeds their COA. Eligibility for need-based aid is discussed below.

  • The COA includes estimates of direct charges and indirect costs.
  • Direct charges are posted to your PAWS account. Examples: Tuition and Fees, and Food and Housing if you live on campus.
  • Indirect costs are educational expenses that are not posted to your PAWS account. Examples: Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment, Transportation, Miscellaneous Personal Expenses as well as Food and Housing if you live off campus.
  • Use our Estimated Cost Calculator to help you develop a more personalized budget. Find more details about individual charges on the Housing website, and other Student Financial Services pages.
2024 – 2025
2024-2025Living with ParentLiving On or Off Campus
Tuition & Fees*See Tuition Estimates below*See Tuition Estimates below
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment$800$800
Housing$1,500Undergraduate: $6,787 Graduate: $13,626
Food$4,433$4,433
Transportation$1,676$1,676
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses$2,000$2,000

Note: An average amount for Federal student loan fees may also be added to your budget based on the type of loans you receive.

2023 – 2024
2023-2024Living with ParentLiving On or Off Campus
Tuition & Fees*See Tuition Estimates below*See Tuition Estimates below
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment$800$800
Housing$1,500Undergraduate: $6,706 Graduate: $9,836
Food$4,274$4,274
Transportation$1,600$1,600
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses$2,000$2,000

Note: An average amount for Federal student loan fees may also be added to your budget based on the type of loans you receive.

Tuition Estimates

Complete the grid above using the estimated tuition rates listed below. These estimates are based on full-time enrollment. For current actual tuition charges, view the Tuition and Fees Page.

2024 – 2025
2024-2025 Tuition EstimateAssociate’sBachelor’sGraduate      
WI Resident$5,420$10,020$12,266
MN Reciprocity$5,764$14,330$20,680
Midwest$7,902$14,248$17,616
Non-Resident$13,084$22,020$25,696
2023 – 2024
2023-2024 Tuition EstimateAssociate’sBachelor’sGraduate      
WI Resident$5,184$9,620$12,230
MN Reciprocity$5,748$14,166$19,996
Midwest$7,560$13,666$17,580
Non-Resident$12,754$21,484$25,660

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2024-25

Estimated Cost of Attendance 2023-24

Adjustments to Cost of Attendance/Budget Adjustment

There are times when our estimates may not reflect your actual costs. You can simply notify us (no form required) if your estimated COA was created using the wrong housing arrangement. You can request a budget adjustment for the following allowable expenses:

  • the documented rental or purchase of a personal computer,
  • costs expected to be incurred for dependent care,
  • and/or when actual documented expenses are significantly different than those used in our estimates.
  • A Budget Adjustment may or may not increase the amount of financial aid offered. If you have already received aid up to your annual limits, consider borrowing additional aid through a Parent Plus or Private Educational Loan.
  • Example: Joe is a resident undergraduate student living on campus.
    • Joe’s COA is $23,588. Joe has been offered $10,000 in financial aid based on his  FAFSA results.
    • If Joe needs extra financial aid, Joe could borrow a maximum of $13,588 in a private loan without having to complete a request for a budget increase.
  • To find out what your cost of attendance is, go to your PAWS Student Center. You can follow the steps outlined on page 4 of the PAWS Finances tutorial on our Resources page.
  • If you believe you qualify for a budget adjustment, complete a Budget Adjustment Request found in the Miscellaneous section on the Forms page.

Determining Need

The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated from information provided on the FAFSA. It is used to determine your eligibility for need-based aid, like grants, work-study, and subsidized loans. **Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, the EFC will be replaced with the SAI (Student Aid Index.) The concept is the same.

  • Find your EFC/SAI
  • Use this equation to find your need:
    • Estimated Cost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution/Student Aid Index = Financial Need

Calculating Your Actual Cost

Your actual expenses can be direct or indirect. Use the Estimated Cost Calculator to estimate your charges. Compare this to the financial aid you have been offered or use the Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of your financial aid eligibility.

  • If you receive more financial aid than you are charged by the university, the extra will be given to you to help you pay for indirect educational costs.
    • The Office of Student Accounts begins processing excess funds approximately two business days after a refund is posted on PAWS, but no earlier than five days before the start of a semester. If you signed up for Direct Deposit, the excess funds will be deposited in your account at that time. If you have not signed up, a check will be printed and then mailed to your PAWS mailing address. Please allow an additional week to receive any excess funds by paper check due to the additional time needed for printing and mail delivery.
    • Learn more here.
  • If you need additional financial assistance, we encourage you to look into: