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.
| 2025-2026 | 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: $7,004 Graduate: $14,068 |
| Food | $4,680 | $4,680 |
| Transportation | $1,716 | $1,716 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 2024-2025 | 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: $7,004 Graduate: $14,158 |
| Food | $4,680 | $4,680 |
| 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.
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.
| 2025-2026 Tuition Estimate | Associate’s | Bachelor’s | Graduate |
| WI Resident | $5,628 | $10,398 | $12,728 |
| MN Reciprocity | $5,764 | $14,584 | $21,606 |
| Midwest | $8,204 | $14,784 | $18,278 |
| Non-Resident | $13,294 | $22,398 | $26,158 |
| 2024-2025 Tuition Estimate | Associate’s | Bachelor’s | Graduate |
| WI Resident | $5,628 | $10,398 | $12,728 |
| MN Reciprocity | $5,764 | $14,330 | $20,680 |
| Midwest | $8,204 | $14,784 | $18,278 |
| Non-Resident | $13,294 | $22,398 | $26,158 |
Estimated Cost of Attendance 2025-26
Estimated Cost of Attendance 2024-25
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 Student Aid Index (SAI) 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 SAI
- Listed on your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) or
- Use the College Board SAI Calculator to estimate.
- Use this equation to find your need:
- Estimated Cost of Attendance – 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: