Budget
The budget provided is based on a moderate student lifestyle and represents the maximum amount of financial aid possible for the current academic year. Students are also able to borrow for living expenses, but since most are working, we encourage students to borrow conservatively for this amount, if at all.
Direct Costs
| Academic Year | Semester | Suggested Enrollment | Estimated Tuition & Fees* | Due | Calendar Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Fall | 7.5 | $25,148 | Mid-September | 2027 |
| Year 1 | Spring | 7.5 | $25,148 | Late January | 2028 |
| Year 1 | Summer | 7.5 | $25,148 | Late June | 2028 |
| Total | 22.5 | $75,443 |
*Tuition and fees** generally increase 2-7% each year.
**The tuition and fees includes a mandatory CBS program fee. The loan and ISSO fees are excluded from the general estimate. Changes may be forthcoming in all billing details.
Estimated Indirect Costs
The indirect costs below represent estimated living expenses for all students at CBS. Since most students are employed full-time, and have expenses such as books included in tuition, the majority of borrowers limit their loan to cover tuition only. If you are interested in borrowing for indirect costs, you can borrow up to the amounts below. All loans will first be applied to your Columbia student account, if they exceed the billed amount, you will receive a refund for that credit within 14 days of your loan disbursement each semester.
| Year 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Food & Housing | $40,308 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,935 |
| Transportation | $1,812 |
| Personal Expenses | $4,848 |
| Total | $48,903 |
Optional Costs
Students may incur additional costs not included in the budget above such as:
- Course travel fees
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance
- Optional club dues, conferences, travel, and event costs
- Past or current credit card or other consumer debt