2026-2027 Academic Year
Tuition for the Brown School’s master’s programs is charged at a flat, per-semester rate in the fall and spring terms. Student fees are assessed to support services that promote ºÚÁÏÉç wellness and enrich campus life and ºÚÁÏÉç activities.
Tuition and fee rates below reflect charges for the 2026–2027 academic year.
| 2026-2027 Tuition | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Fall | Spring | Total Academic Year Tuition |
| Master of Social Policy | $25,220 | $25,220 | $50,440 |
| Master of Social Work (Full-time)* | $25,220 | $25,220 | $50,440 |
| Master of Social Work (Part-time) | $16,813 | $16,813 | $33,626 |
| 2026-2027 Mandatory Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | Fall | Spring | Total Academic Year Fee |
| Brown School Activity & Service Fee | $75 | $75 | $150 |
| WashU Student Health & Wellness Fee (full-time ºÚÁÏÉçs) | $350 | $350 | $700 |
| WashU Student Health Insurance Fee^ (full-time ºÚÁÏÉçs) | $2,712 | — | $2,712 |
Per-semester tuition covers a defined range of credits up to each program’s total credit cap. Students may enroll in summer courses, with those credits included within the annual tuition at no additional cost, provided total enrollment remains within established program credit caps. Additional per-credit tuition charges may apply if credit limits are exceeded.
* Advanced Standing MSW ºÚÁÏÉçs are required to complete the four-credit Bridge to Brown course, which carries an additional fee of $6,724 for the 2026–2027 academic year, billed in the fall term.
^ All full-time graduate ºÚÁÏÉçs are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), with the annual premium billed in full in the fall term. Domestic ºÚÁÏÉçs may waive coverage by providing proof of comparable insurance. International ºÚÁÏÉçs are required to participate in SHIP unless they can demonstrate U.S.-based coverage through an employer-sponsored plan (e.g., through a parent, spouse, or partner). For more information about SHIP requirements and the waiver process, please visit the .
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the total cost to enroll in a specific academic program for one academic year. The estimate below reflects full-time enrollment and includes both direct costs billed by the University—such as tuition and mandatory fees—and estimated indirect costs, including housing, food, transportation, books and supplies, and personal expenses.
The COA is not a bill, but a planning tool used to help ºÚÁÏÉçs understand the total estimated cost of their education, determine eligibility for federal financial aid, and make informed financial decisions. The COA is reviewed and updated annually.
2026-2027 Cost of Attendance – $78,690
$50,440 tuition + $850 mandatory fees + $27,400 estimated costs (itemized below)
| Estimated Living Expenses (Included in COA) | |
|---|---|
| Category | Estimated Cost |
| Housing & Food | $19,800 |
| Books/supplies | $1,300 |
| Transportation | $1,100 |
| Personal/miscellaneous expenses | $5,200 |
Estimated living expenses will vary based on individual circumstances and lifestyle choices. Factors such as housing arrangements (e.g., living alone or with roommates), proximity to campus, transportation preferences, and personal spending habits can significantly impact total costs. Students are encouraged to use these estimates as a guide and adjust based on their expected living situation.
St. Louis offers a relatively low cost of living compared to many major U.S. cities, which can help ºÚÁÏÉçs manage expenses. In addition, WashU provides benefits such as a free Metro transit pass, allowing ºÚÁÏÉçs to access public transportation throughout the region at no additional cost.
If eligible, domestic ºÚÁÏÉçs may borrow up to the full cost of attendance through federal ºÚÁÏÉç loan programs. However, many ºÚÁÏÉçs reduce borrowing by managing living expenses and utilizing additional funding sources.
Most Brown School ºÚÁÏÉçs combine multiple sources to finance their educational and living expenses while attending their graduate program. Please visit our Funding Your Education page for additional information and resources.