Estimated Cost of Attendance
Click here for current Tuition and Fee rates.
Click here for current Food andHousing costs.
The Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) reflects average educational costs and is used to predict what it could cost to attend UWM. It is used to determine financial aid eligibility, and a student may not receive financial aid in an amount that exceeds the COA.
- 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.
- To better budget your total actual charges, try using our Estimated Cost Calculator. Find more details about individual charges on the Housing website, and other Student Financial Services pages.
| 2023-2024 | Living with Parent | Living On or Off Campus |
| Tuition & Fees | *See Tuition Estimates below | *See Tuition Estimates below |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $800 | $800 |
| Housing | $1,500 | Undergraduate: $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.
| 2022-2023 | Living with Parent | Living On or Off Campus |
| Tuition & Fees | *See Tuition Estimates below | *See Tuition Estimates below |
| Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment | $800 | $800 |
| Housing | $0 | Undergraduate: $6,706 Graduate: $9,836 |
| Food | $4,190 | $4,190 |
| Transportation | $1,434 | $1,434 |
| 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 Page.
| 2023-2024 Tuition Estimate | Associate’s | Bachelor’s | Graduate |
| 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 |
| 2022-2023 Tuition Estimate | Associate’s | Bachelor’s | Graduate |
| WI Resident | $5,164 | $9,610 | $12,220 |
| MN Reciprocity | $5,572 | $13,938 | $19,362 |
| Midwest Student Exchange Rate (MSEP) | N/A | $13,656 | $17,570 |
| Non-Resident | $12,734 | $21,474 | $25,650 |
Estimated Cost of Attendance 2022-23
Estimated Cost of Attendance 2023-24
Adjustments to Cost of Attendance
You may qualify for an adjustment to your COA. This is called a Budget Adjustment and is available for the documented rental or purchase of a personal computer, the costs expected to be incurred for dependent care, and when 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, you can follow the steps outlined on page 4 of this tutorial.
- If you believe you qualify for a budget adjustment, complete a Budget Adjustment Request with this form.
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.
- Find your EFC
- Listed on your Student Aid Report (SAR) or
- Use the College Board EFC Calculator to estimate.
- Use this equation to find your need:
- Cost of Attendance – Expected Family Contribution = 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 Cashier’s Office 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, look into: