What does a degree cost and how do I pay for it?
Getting a master’s or doctoral degree is an investment, as you prepare to advance in your career or gain specialty knowledge and experience that opens new doors. We want you to understand the costs of your education, and we encourage you to take advantage of important resources.
Our Tuition and Fees Calculator is useful in determining your specific per-credit cost. Our Tutorial Video walks you through some of the considerations and tips as you move forward. You’ll make selections such as your degree program, your residency and how the course is delivered, such as online or in-person.
If you have questions, email soeinfo@vcu.edu and provide your program of interest, its modality, part-time or full-time expectations, and whether you’ll be an in-state or out-of-state student so we can best support you as you review specific tuition and fees costs.
Billing, Tuition and Fees Definitions:
- Full-time vs Part-time: Graduate Full-time status is 9-15 credits. Part-time status is 8 credits or less. Review this Student Financial Responsibilities bulletin page for additional information.
- Online vs In-Person: Students enrolled in courses designated as “Off-campus or online” (usually the course section starts with a “C”), are not assessed the university, health services, activity, or academic support fees for those courses.
NOTE: If you apply and are accepted into a fully online program, you can ONLY register for online course sections. - Virginia Residency Status vs Out-of-State/Non-Residency Status: Please see this explanation of in-state residency in the VCU graduate bulletin. This resource is helpful to review the requirements to reclassify as an in-state student.
Funding is available across national and local programs dedicated to preparing future educators. These options are available for undergraduate and graduate students.
Southern Education Leadership Initiative (SELI) provides young leaders with hands-on experience supporting organizations working to create school systems that give Black and Brown children access to the educational opportunity they deserve. Fellows will learn about the South’s most pressing education issues, benefit from a deeper understanding of racial equity, gain exposure to various education career paths, and grow as change agents for social justice. For application information, please contact seli@southerneducation.org.
Special educator preparation and course fees are outlined on VCU’s Program and Course Fees.
VCU’ Graduate School has a number of funding resources and support opportunities for new incoming students:
RAM Opportunity
The Recent Alumni Master's Opportunity helps our baccalaureate graduates further their education and grow career opportunities by pursuing a master's degree at VCU.
We offer competitive, merit-based graduate assistantships to support doctoral students and enrich their learning, research and teaching experiences. If you’re an incoming student, submit your Assistantship application by January 10th for full consideration. This is a separate application from the Ph.D. application and the essay must outline what research expertise you are able to leverage as part of your assistantship.
Our 9-month package generally includes in-state tuition and a roughly $20,000 living stipend. Support packages vary based on the funding pool each year.
VCU School of Education Graduate Assistantship Application
The School of Education has over 40 different scholarships for current continuing students. Scholarship applications open spring of every academic year for any student who is enrolled.
We have a competitive pool of new graduate student scholarships that is reviewed on a rolling basis. Once accepted into a School of Education program, students receive information about how to apply for the select new student scholarship funding.
Visit the SOE Scholarship page for more scholarship information.
If you're a graduate student, financial aid may be an option for you. Discover the financial aid opportunities available.
Already an educator? Tap into 20% savings on a half-dozen degree and certification options. Check out our Educator Rate.
Each spring, departments across VCU recruit incoming School of Education masters degree students into Graduate Student Worker roles. These roles vary in compensation from hourly to stipend support. As an accepted student, you will be invited to review the roles and apply based on your interest area in these professional, student affairs and higher education roles.
If you work at VCU, you might be eligible for our tuition benefit offering. Check out the tuition benefit information for eligibility and requirements.
If you are working and going to college, talk with your employer to find out if any tuition or professional development reimbursement or funding is available.