Cost of Attendance

Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)

How is the Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA) Calculated?

Your financial aid cost of attendance (COA) is the estimated average and reasonable cost of completing an academic year at Rasmussen University. An academic year usually consists of nine months (three quarters). Your COA serves as the foundation for determining your financial need as well as the amount of financial aid, including grants, scholarships, loans and work-study that can be offered to you. The COA can only include costs for the individual student. The Student Financial Aid Office may adjust the COA for students on a case-by-case basis to address individual, unique circumstances.

Your actual charges for tuition and fees, also known as direct charges, will be different than what is reflected in your financial aid COA. That is because the COA is based on estimated averages. To view your actual tuition and fee charges, go to the Account Center. Indirect Costs are external expenses that you may incur during the academic year as part of your educational experience. These costs are not billed to your student account, but they are part of the Financial Aid COA.

COA figures are established through student surveys and other research and may include the components below:

  • Tuition and Fees (based upon projected enrollment)
  • Books and Supplies
  • Living Expenses
  • Personal Costs
  • Transportation

View examples of Undergraduate Cost of Attendance (COA)

View examples of Graduate Cost of Attendance (COA)

EXAMPLES of 2023-2024 Undergraduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)

All COA components shown below are for nine months and full-time (12+ credits per quarter). Students attending less than full-time are eligible for financial aid; however, the COA, expected family contribution (EFC) and maximum awards may be adjusted for attending less than full-time attendance and/or less than an Academic Year.

  • All Schools <small>(except Nursing & Health Sciences) Undergraduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)</small>

    All Schools (except Nursing & Health Sciences)
    Undergraduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Average Direct Costs: Tuition Living With Parent: $11,241 Not Living With Parent: $11,241
    Average Direct Costs: Fees Living With Parent: $2,097 Not Living With Parent: $2,097
    Average Direct Costs: Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment Living With Parent: $360 Not Living With Parent: $360
    Average Direct Costs: Administrative Fee1a Living With Parent: $350 Not Living With Parent: $350
    Average Direct Costs: TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a Living With Parent: $14,048 Not Living With Parent: $14,048
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Living Expenses3a Living With Parent: $4,986 Not Living With Parent: $9,936
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Personal Costs Living With Parent: $3,114 Not Living With Parent: $3,114
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Transportation Living With Parent: $2,673 Not Living With Parent: $2,673
    Estimated Indirect Costs: TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a Living With Parent: $10,773 Not Living With Parent: $15,723
    Total Estimated Costs: TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance Living With Parent: $24,821 Not Living With Parent: $29,771
    • 1a One-time administrative fee charged for Law Enforcement Certificate & Associate programs. For detailed information on the program administrative fee, visit the Program Administrative Fee page in our Course Catalog.
    • 2a Actual tuition, fee, and book charges vary by student, credit load, and program of study. To view your actual charges, go to the Account Center.
    • 3a Military students receiving Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will have a reduced living expense due to it only including the food allowance within this component.
    • 4a Actual costs vary by student, based on student choice, and travel habits.

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  • School of Health Sciences <small>Undergraduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)</small>

    School of Health Sciences
    Undergraduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Average Direct Costs: Tuition Living With Parent: $11,241 Not Living With Parent: $11,241
    Average Direct Costs: Fees Living With Parent: $2,097 Not Living With Parent: $2,097
    Average Direct Costs: Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment Living With Parent: $360 Not Living With Parent: $360
    Average Direct Costs: Administrative Fee1a Living With Parent: $350 Not Living With Parent: $350
    Average Direct Costs: TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a Living With Parent: $14,048 Not Living With Parent: $14,048
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Living Expenses3a Living With Parent: $4,986 Not Living With Parent: $9,936
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Personal Costs Living With Parent: $3,114 Not Living With Parent: $3,114
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Transportation Living With Parent: $2,673 Not Living With Parent: $2,673
    Estimated Indirect Costs: TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a Living With Parent: $10,773 Not Living With Parent: $15,723
    Total Estimated Costs: TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance Living With Parent: $24,821 Not Living With Parent: $29,771
    • 1a One-time administrative fee charged for Medical Assisting Diploma, Medical Laboratory Technician Associate, Physical Therapist Assistant Associate, Radiologic Technology Associate, and Surgical Technologist Associate Degree. For detailed information on the program administrative fee, visit the Program Administrative Fee page in our Course Catalog.
    • 2a Actual tuition, fee, and book charges vary by student, credit load, and program of study. To view your actual charges, go to the Account Center.
    • 3a Military students receiving Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will have a reduced living expense due to it only including the food allowance within this component.
    • 4a Actual costs vary by student, based on student choice, and travel habits.

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  • School of Nursing <small>(except BSN) Undergraduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)</small>

    School of Nursing (except BSN)
    Undergraduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Average Direct Costs: Tuition Living With Parent: $16,884 Not Living With Parent: $16,884
    Average Direct Costs: Fees Living With Parent: $2,097 Not Living With Parent: $2,097
    Average Direct Costs: Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment Living With Parent: $360 Not Living With Parent: $360
    Average Direct Costs: Administrative Fee1a Living With Parent: $495 Not Living With Parent: $495
    Average Direct Costs: TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a Living With Parent: $19,836 Not Living With Parent: $19,836
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Living Expenses3a Living With Parent: $4,986 Not Living With Parent: $9,936
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Personal Costs Living With Parent: $3,114 Not Living With Parent: $3,114
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Transportation Living With Parent: $2,673 Not Living With Parent: $2,673
    Estimated Indirect Costs: TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a Living With Parent: $10,773 Not Living With Parent: $15,723
    Total Estimated Costs: TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance Living With Parent: $30,609 Not Living With Parent: $35,559
    • 1a One-time administrative fee charged for all undergraduate programs within the School of Nursing. For detailed information on the program administrative fee, visit the Program Administrative Fee page in our Course Catalog.
    • 2a Actual tuition, fee, and book charges vary by student, credit load, and program of study. To view your actual charges, go to the Account Center.
    • 3a Military students receiving Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will have a reduced living expense due to it only including the food allowance within this component.
    • 4a Actual costs vary by student, based on student choice, and travel habits.

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  • School of Nursing - BSN <small>Undergraduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)</small>

    School of Nursing - BSN
    Undergraduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Average Direct Costs: Tuition Living With Parent: $17,091 Not Living With Parent: $17,091
    Average Direct Costs: Fees Living With Parent: $2,097 Not Living With Parent: $2,097
    Average Direct Costs: Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment Living With Parent: $360 Not Living With Parent: $360
    Average Direct Costs: Administrative Fee1a Living With Parent: $495 Not Living With Parent: $495
    Average Direct Costs: TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a Living With Parent: $20,043 Not Living With Parent: $20,043
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Living Expenses3a Living With Parent: $4,986 Not Living With Parent: $9,936
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Personal Costs Living With Parent: $3,114 Not Living With Parent: $3,114
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Transportation Living With Parent: $2,673 Not Living With Parent: $2,673
    Estimated Indirect Costs: TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a Living With Parent: $10,773 Not Living With Parent: $15,723
    Total Estimated Costs: TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance Living With Parent: $30,816 Not Living With Parent: $35,766
    • 1a One-time administrative fee charged for all undergraduate programs within the School of Nursing. For detailed information on the program administrative fee, visit the Program Administrative Fee page in our Course Catalog.
    • 2a Actual tuition, fee, and book charges vary by student, credit load, and program of study. To view your actual charges, go to the Account Center.
    • 3a Military students receiving Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will have a reduced living expense due to it only including the food allowance within this component.
    • 4a Actual costs vary by student, based on student choice, and travel habits.

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Examples of 2023-24 Graduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)

All COA components shown below are for nine months and full-time (12+ credits per quarter). Students attending less than full-time are eligible for financial aid; however, the COA, expected family contribution (EFC) and maximum awards may be adjusted for attending less than full-time attendance and/or less than an Academic Year.

  • All Schools <small>(except Nursing) Graduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)</small>

    All Schools (except Nursing)
    Graduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)
    Average Direct CostsLiving With ParentNot Living With Parent
    Average Direct Costs: Tuition Living With Parent: $5,535 Not Living With Parent: $5,535
    Average Direct Costs: Fees Living With Parent: $2,097 Not Living With Parent: $2,097
    Average Direct Costs: Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment Living With Parent: $360 Not Living With Parent: $360
    Average Direct Costs: TOTAL Average Direct Costs1a Living With Parent: $7,992 Not Living With Parent: $7,992
    Estimated Indirect CostsLiving With ParentNot Living With Parent
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Living Expenses2a Living With Parent: $4,986 Not Living With Parent: $9,936
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Personal Costs Living With Parent: $3,114 Not Living With Parent: $3,114
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Transportation Living With Parent: $2,673 Not Living With Parent: $2,673
    Estimated Indirect Costs: TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs3a Living With Parent: $10,773 Not Living With Parent: $15,723
    Total Estimated Costs: TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance Living With Parent: $18,765 Not Living With Parent: $23,715
    • 1a Actual tuition, fee, and book charges vary by student, credit load, and program of study. To view your actual charges, go to the Account Center.
    • 2a Military students receiving Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will have a reduced living expense due to it only including the food allowance within this component.
    • 3a Actual costs vary by student, based on student choice, and travel habits.

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  • School of Nursing - MSN <small>Graduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)</small>

    School of Nursing - MSN
    Graduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)
    Average Direct CostsLiving With ParentNot Living With Parent
    Average Direct Costs: Tuition Living With Parent: $7,020 Not Living With Parent: $7,020
    Average Direct Costs: Fees Living With Parent: $2,097 Not Living With Parent: $2,097
    Average Direct Costs: Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment Living With Parent: $360 Not Living With Parent: $360
    Average Direct Costs: Administrative Fee1a Living With Parent: $495 Not Living With Parent: $495
    Average Direct Costs: TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a Living With Parent: $9,972 Not Living With Parent: $9,972
    Estimated Indirect CostsLiving With ParentNot Living With Parent
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Living Expenses3a Living With Parent: $4,986 Not Living With Parent: $9,936
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Personal Costs Living With Parent: $3,114 Not Living With Parent: $3,114
    Estimated Indirect Costs: Transportation Living With Parent: $2,673 Not Living With Parent: $2,673
    Estimated Indirect Costs: TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a Living With Parent: $10,773 Not Living With Parent: $15,723
    Total Estimated Costs: TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance Living With Parent: $20,745 Not Living With Parent: $25,695
    • 1a One-time administrative fee charged for Doctor of Nursing Practice, Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner, and Post-Graduate certificate programs within the School of Nursing. For detailed information on the program administrative fee, visit the Program Administrative Fee page in our Course Catalog.
    • 2a Actual tuition, fee, and book charges vary by student, credit load, and program of study. To view your actual charges, go to the Account Center.
    • 3a Military students receiving Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) will have a reduced living expense due to it only including the food allowance within this component.
    • 4a Actual costs vary by student, based on student choice, and travel habits.

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