Cost of Attendance

KCAD is committed to providing a world-class art and design education at a remarkably affordable price.

current tuition rates

estimated cost of attendance

estimated laptop costs

2024-2025 Tuition Rates

Domestic Students (US and Canada)

Undergraduate General Education and Art History (0-55 completed credits)
$500 per credit hour

Undergraduate General Education and Art History (56+ completed credits)
$546 per credit hour

Undergraduate Studio
$1,168 per credit hour

High School Dual Enrollment, General Education and Art History
$320 per credit hour

High School Dual Enrollment Studio
$342 per credit hour

Graduate - all programs
$1,309 per credit hour

International Students

Undergraduate General Education and Art History (0-55 completed credits)
$828 per credit hour

Undergraduate General Education and Art History (56+ completed credits)
$882 per credit hour

Undergraduate Studio
$1,868 per credit hour

High School Dual Enrollment, General Education and Art History
$320 per credit hour

High School Dual Enrollment Studio
$342 per credit hour

Graduate - all programs
$2,014 per credit hour

2025-2026 Yearly Estimated Cost of Attendance

Undergraduate Commuter Student (Living at Home)

Average credits per year: 26 credits
Tuition and Fees: $25,755
Food and Housing: $1,704
Books and Supplies: $538
Travel: $1,397
Misc. Expenses: $1,808
Loan Fees: $64

Total Estimated Cost: $31,266

Undergraduate Student (from US or Canada) Renting

Average credits per year: 26 credits
Tuition and Fees: $25,755
Food and Housing: $10,755
Books and Supplies: $538
Travel: $1,397
Misc. Expenses: $1,808
Loan Fees: $64

Total Estimated Cost: $40,317

Undergraduate International Student

Average credits per year: 26 credits
Tuition and Fees: $25,060
Food and Housing: $10,755
Books and Supplies: $895
Travel: $1,667
Misc. Expenses: $1,742
International Insurance: $1,026

Total Estimated Cost: $41,145

Graduate Student - Master of Arts in Design (includes international students)

Average credits per year: 24 credits
Tuition and Fees: $32,254
Food and Housing: $10,755
Books and Supplies: $538
Travel: $1,426
Misc. Expenses: $1,808
Loan Fees: $158

Total Estimated Cost: $46,939

Graduate Student - Master of Architecture (includes international students)

Average credits per year: 30 credits
Tuition and Fees: $40,318
Food and Housing: $10,755
Books and General Supplies: $538
Specialized Studio Materials and Large-Format Printing Costs: $900
Travel: $1,426*
Misc. Expenses: $1,808
Loan Fees: $158

Total Estimated Cost: $55,903

*NOTE: All M.Arch students take the course KGAR 611 Critical Travel, which requires an additional $4,000-$5,000 trip fee covering transportation, lodging and other expenses"

2025-2026 Estimated Laptop Costs Based on Program of Study

Undergraduate Programs

Art History: $1,826
Collaborative Design: $1,826
Design Studies (Associate of Fine Arts): $1,826
Digital Art and Design: $4,936
Fashion Studies: $1,826
Graphic Design: $3,384
Illustration: $1,826
Interior Design: $1,826
Life Sciences and Pre-Medical Illustration: $1,826
Photography: $3,384
Product Design: $3,384
Studio Arts: $1,826

Graduate Programs

Master of Architecture: $3,384
Master of Arts in Design: $1,826

What is the Cost of Attendance (Student Financial Aid Budget)?

Federal regulations allow the Ferris State University Financial Aid Office to consider specific expenses in estimating each student’s cost of attendance or student budget. The student’s budget, as determined by the Financial Aid Office, is the maximum amount of financial aid a student may receive from any source. Student budgets are comprised of the average costs of the following expenses: tuition and fees, housing and food, books and supplies, transportation expenses, personal expenses, loan fees, and the estimated cost of the required laptop and software. Because different categories of students have different expenses, each student is assigned a budget reflecting his or her particular costs. For instance, graduate students pay higher tuition rates than undergraduate students.

Please note that Ferris State University will not bill KCAD students for the following expenses: housing and food (unless you are living in the dorms on the Big Rapids campus), transportation, personal, or laptop. These estimates are included in the Cost of Attendance for planning purposes and to allow students the opportunity to obtain enough financial aid to cover these expenses.

Tuition costs are typically not finalized until July of each year. The Financial Aid Office uses historical data to estimate changes to tuition and fees and will estimate the student’s budget accordingly.

The Financial Aid Office initially awards each student as if he or she will be attending full-time, based on the average credits taken from the preceding year. In the interest of reducing student loan debt, after the fourth class day each semester, the Financial Aid Office will re-evaluate each student’s enrollment status and will reduce the Tuition/Fees and Books/Supplies elements of the Cost of Attendance for students who are enrolled less than full-time.

Federal regulations state that you may not receive more financial aid than your Cost of Attendance. If you are less than full-time when the drop and add period is complete, your financial aid, including private alternative loans and Parent or Graduate PLUS loans, is subject to reduction to ensure that your aid does not exceed your Cost of Attendance. This adjustment may result in a change to either your tuition account balance due or your financial aid refund.