Graduate school is a significant investment in your future. Understanding the full cost of attendance can help you build a realistic plan for your graduate journey.
In addition to tuition, we recommend factoring in other costs, including housing and utilities in Eugene or Portland, transportation, groceries, and other personal expenses.
Tuition
What you pay in tuition is determined by your program(s), the number of credits you are enrolled in, and whether you are considered an Oregon resident. The University of Oregon has an interactive tuition spreadsheet that can help you calculate your anticipated tuition and other student fees. Student fees enable you to access the student recreation center and the health center, in addition to supporting general campus upkeep.
When using the tuition spreadsheet, be sure to select your program and residency status from the drop-down menus. To accurately estimate the total cost of your time at the UO, you should multiply the per term tuition rate by the number of terms required for your program. For most programs, your tuition rate will be the same when you enroll in 9 credits up to 16 credits. Note that summer tuition rates are different from fall, winter, and spring term rates.
Most graduate students are considered full-time when they are enrolled at a minimum of 9 credits per term. Full-time student status is required for:
- Maintaining legal status as an international student
- Graduate Employee (GE) positions
- Federal financial aid
- Some scholarships and funding opportunities
Pursuing concurrent degrees will change your anticipated tuition costs. Our concurrent degree information can help you to better calculate your anticipated tuition.
These general guidelines might not apply to every individual case. The UO's Financial Aid and Scholarships office offers advising to discuss individual circumstances.
The UO's Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships provides estimates for the total cost of attendance per year for graduate students and law students. This estimate includes housing and grocery costs, books and other supplies, personal expenses, and transportation. In addition to this estimate, we recommend considering any additional costs that this estimate may exclude, including childcare.
The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) offer additional resources to help you determine the cost and value of a graduate degree. Other resources are available from CGS to help you with decision making and financial planning.
What Past Graduate Students Wish They Had Known
Cost of Housing: Do your research about the typical range of rent for different housing options. Weigh the costs and benefits of living close to campus and paying more for rent versus living farther and needing to commute - and potentially pay for parking.
Cost of Childcare: The UO offers resources for childcare, including childcare subsidies and subsidized childcare for dependents of students. However, there is still significant cost associated with childcare.
What a Graduate Employee Salary Can Cover: As a Graduate Employee (GE), your salary will vary depending on your student status and how many hours your position is contracted for. Calculate your living expenses carefully to estimate what your GE salary will cover.
Summer Funding: Not all graduate programs have funding for students over the summer. This is an important thing to clarify with your program so that you can plan.
Funding Varies By Program: It is important to research and discuss the funding available from your program. This may include asking difficult questions, but it is better to know what your program can and can't offer early.
Understand your funding details: Different types of funding come with different rules on how it can be used. Be sure to ask for the details, like how you can use your funding, when and how you'll receive the funds, if you will pay taxes on the funds, etc.