Tuition, Aid & Scholarships
Rates for MSIM students for Autumn 2026 - Summer 2027
The cost per credit rate for both incoming and continuing MSIM students will be identical starting in autumn 2026. Quarterly rates for compulsory UW fees are made available in June for the academic year starting in September.
The Early-Career, Early-Career Accelerated and Mid-Career MSIM tracks are self-sustaining/fee-based programs. Tuition and fees are charged on a per-credit basis directly to the student and increase by approximately 3-6% annually. The chart below is based on current tuition and fee costs and does not reflect yearly rate changes.
Cost per credit: $1,177
| Track | Total credits | Total course fees | Quarterly UW fees | Total quarters | Estimated total cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early-Career | 65 | $76,505 | $458 | 7* | $79,564 |
| Early-Career Accelerated | 40 | $47,080 | $458 | 4 | $48,912 |
| Mid-Career | 36 | $42,372 | $458 | 4 | $44,204 |
| *Assumes students take an internship course during summer quarter, but it is not required. | |||||
Additional Information
- Tuition is the same for all students, regardless of residency and modality There are no separate rates for in-state and out-of-state tuition or for international students. Residential and online modalities share the same tuition rates.
- 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.
- Tuition and fees are subject to increase each year, typically by 3-6%.
- 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. These fees tend to increase annually.
- The MSIM program is fee-based (self-sustaining) and does not qualify for the State Employee Tuition Exemption program.
- To accept the offer of admission, applicants are required to pay a $500 non-refundable deposit, which will be applied to first quarter tuition.
Additional Estimated Living Expenses
The estimates below may help you understand how much it will cost to live in Seattle. These are estimates, and you may find your experience is more or less expensive depending on your specific needs.
| Other Estimated Expenses* | 12-Month Estimate |
|---|---|
| Rent, Utilities & Food | $30,932 |
| Books and Supplies | $900 |
| Local Transportation | $2,108 |
| Personal Expenses | $3,344 |
| Health Insurance | $2,496 |
| Total | $39,780 |
| *Average living expenses calculated from the 9-month expected costs listed on the Office of Planning and Budgeting website and are subject to change. | |
Financial Aid & Scholarships
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. Most MSIM students fund their education through a combination of aid, scholarships, veteran’s benefits, employer assistance, loans, and savings.
Learn more about the sources available to help fund your education:
- External resources and scholarships
- Information for international students
- Scholarships and additional funding for MSIM students
Federal & State Aid for MSIM students
The primary federal funding for graduate students is loans, which differ from undergraduate loans.
- They are available in large loan amounts (up to $20,500 per year).
- They are based on the 10-year treasury note and are at a higher interest rate.
- They are usually not subsidized, which means interest begins accruing immediately.
- They have different terms of repayment than undergrad loans.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA in order to be eligible to receive federal loans. Financial aid awards are managed by the UW Financial Aid Office. Contact the UW Financial Aid Office at 206-543-6101 or osfa@uw.edu for information on additional types of aid to help support you as a student.
International students are not eligible to receive federal loans from the U.S. government and have limited funding options. Additional information is available through the UW International Student Services Office.
State aid varies depending on where you live, where you plan to study and what you plan to study. You are advised to do your research. (Most of the Washington state funds focus on undergraduates, but there are some funds available for specific groups.)
Helpful Tips for Finding Aid
Don’t wait until you are admitted to start searching and applying for funding. Scholarship deadlines tend to be 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 here. 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.