MLIS Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition rates projected for the 2026-2027 academic year:
The following rate is still under consideration by the Provost and the UW Board of Regents, and should be confirmed by June. Additionally, the quarterly UW fees may increase, but that information will not be available until June. In addition to tuition, students should budget for additional fees.
Tentative cost per credit: $990
| Total credits | Total course fees | Quarterly UW fees | Total quarters | Estimated total cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLIS Full-time | 63 | $62,370 | $437 | 6 | $64,992 |
| MLIS Part-time | 63 | $62,370 | $437 | 9 | $66,303 |
Additional Information
- For MLIS Law Librarianship, see Law Tuition and Finanacial Aid.
- Tuition and fees are subject to increase each year, typically by 3-6%.
- Tuition is the same for all students, regardless of residency. (There are no separate rates for in-state and out-of-state tuition.)
- Tuition is based on the number of credits taken. Students who choose to take more credits than the number needed for the degree will pay more than the total amount listed.
- Student fees assessed for the previous academic year can be reviewed here and include a non-refundable registration fee for students in self-sustaining programs ($55 quarterly). These fees tend to increase annually.
- The MLIS program is fee-based (self-sustaining) and does not qualify for the State Employee Tuition Exemption program.
Financial aid awards (loan packages) for Online MLIS Law students are limited to tuition only and will not cover living expenses. To be eligible to receive federal financial aid, part-time students must take a minimum of 5 credit hours per quarter.
- In order to accept the offer of admission, applicants are required to pay a $250 non-refundable deposit, which will go toward their autumn quarter tuition.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
The structure of financial aid, scholarships and other forms of educational support for graduate students works differently than what you experienced as an undergraduate. The good news: Aid is available for graduate school. The challenge: You need to be more proactive in researching the types of funds available and searching through a variety of funding sources.
Learn more about the sources available to help fund your education:
- Federal and state aid
- University of Washington funds and resources
- Information School funding and scholarships
- External resources and scholarships
- Information for international students
- Scholarships for which MLIS students can apply
Helpful Tips for Finding Aid
Don’t wait until you are admitted to search and apply for funding. Scholarship deadlines tend to be in mid-winter. You may not have your admissions decisions by the time deadlines occur.
Do your research! Look for funding that will match your specific goals, background and interests.
Submit the FAFSA through the Federal Student Aid Office. Most loans are based on the FAFSA, as are some scholarships. The priority deadline to submit the FAFSA for the UW is Jan. 15 each year.
Ask for an adjustment. Financial aid for the first year is based on your income from the previous year. Once you start school, you will probably not have the same income level if you’re no longer working or working fewer hours. When your employment status changes, contact UW Financial Aid and update them on your income. Also, let them know if you need to buy any items (such as a new computer) to support your studies. These items can also help increase your financial aid.