Full-Time Cost of Attendance

Understand your actual costs of attendance as a full-time graduate student at RWU.

What exactly is the "cost of attendance?"

The cost of attendance (COA)—sometimes referred to as the "student budget"—is an estimate of what it costs a typical full-time student to attend a college or university for one academic year. Don't be startled by the COA you see on your financial aid offer from the Roger Williams University. A student’s cost of attendance doesn't only include tuition; it also takes your basic living expenses into account.

This COA serves two purposes:

1. To give you an estimate of the cost to attend RWU for one year, and
2. To set a limit on the amount of financial aid you can receive during the academic year (which federal regulations require us to do).

2024-2025 Full-Time Cost of Attendance

Based on 12-credit semester

What's included in my COA?

A student's cost of attendance is made up of two different types of costs: direct and indirect.

Direct or Billed Costs

Tuition and Fees

These figures reflect the cost of tuition and fees for a student taking 12 credits during the fall and spring semesters of the respective academic year. Students in the Master of Architecture are charged the per credit rate if enrolled in less than 12 credits or more than 19 credits. All other Graduate students are charged the per credit rate.

Housing and Food (On Campus)

The number reflected here is the cost of a shared 1-bedroom at Almeida Residential Community.

Please note: The account may incur additional fees including but not limited to lab fees, parking fees, health services, and etc.

Indirect Estimated Costs

Indirect estimated costs do not appear on student accounts (bills) and vary based on the individual student. These costs include books, personal expenses, and transportation. Students may experience different levels of indirect expenses; however, the values listed represent allowances provided for the academic year for financial aid purposes.

Books and Supplies

This is an estimate of the cost of books and supplies for a typical student for the entire academic year. Students will not be billed directly by RWU for books or supplies.

Average Loan Fees

There is an origination fee of 1.057% for Federal Direct Unsubsidized student loans, which is taken out of the loan before funds are sent to RWU. The $216 listed above is the average fee for students who borrow these loans. Actual fees will depend on the amount you borrow (if any).

Transportation

This is an estimate of the cost for transportation needed to commute to and from campus, a job or internship, the cost of operating and maintaining a vehicle, and/or distance travelled to your home on scheduled breaks. Unless you buy an RWU parking permit, you will not be billed directly for transportation costs.

Miscellaneous

The standard allowance is based on estimated costs incurred for personal expenses during the academic year including clothing, laundry, toiletries, cell phone expenses, entertainment, local transportation, additional educationally-related supplies, and other incidentals. The allowance can serve as a planning tool to help students determine how much money to have available for these expenses. These items will not appear on a student’s RWU bill.

Housing and Food (Off-Campus)

Includes an allowance for housing expenses (household operations, supplies, furnishings and equipment) and utilities (electric, water, cable, internet, and phone). Food estimates are based on the Cost of Food at Home Data published by the United States Department of Agriculture, adjusted for regional Cost of Living Index and inflation.