On August 4, 2026, American Public University System combined with Rasmussen University and Hondros College of Nursing to form a single higher education institution. American Public University System (the System) now includes American Public University, American Military University, Rasmussen University, and Hondros College of Nursing. The System is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI). We are continuing to update our website to reflect our new structure.

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, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment
  • Living Expenses
  • Personal Expenses
  • Transportation
  • Dependent Care Costs
  • Professional Licensure Costs

View examples of Undergraduate Cost of Attendance (COA)

View examples of Graduate Cost of Attendance (COA)

EXAMPLES of 2026-2027 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 and maximum awards may be adjusted for attending less than full-time and/or less than an Academic Year. Part-time financial aid cost of attendance figures are available on the downloadable PDF version below.

  • School of Business, Technology, Design, Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s, Human Services, Justice Studies (except Law Enforcement), & Health Sciences (except residential programs)

    School of Business, Technology, Design, Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s, Human Services, Justice Studies (except Law Enforcement), & Health Sciences (except residential programs)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Tuition $11,628 $11,628
    Fees $2,400 $2,400
    Books, course materials, supplies and equipment $675 $675
    Administrative Fee1a $125 $125
    TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a $14,828 $14,828
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Living Expenses3a $5,454 $10,863
    Personal Costs $3,411 $3,411
    Transportation $4,995 $4,995
    TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a $13,860 $19,269
    TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance $28,688 $34,097
    • 1a 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 Student 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 (residential programs only) and School of Justice Studies (Law Enforcement residential programs)

    School of Health Sciences (residential programs only) and School of Justice Studies (Law Enforcement residential programs)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Tuition $11,628 $11,628
    Fees $2,400 $2,400
    Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $675 $675
    Administrative Fee1a $350 $350
    TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a $15,053 $15,053
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Living Expenses3a $5,454 $10,863
    Personal Costs $3,411 $3,411
    Transportation $4,995 $4,995
    TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a $13,860 $19,269
    TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance $28,913 $34,322
    • 1a 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 Student 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 Education (Certificate, Diploma, & Associate programs)

    School of Education (Certificate, Diploma, & Associate programs)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Tuition $8,172 $8,172
    Fees $0 $0
    Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $675 $675
    Administrative Fee1a $125 $125
    TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a $8,972 $8,972
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Living Expenses3a $5,454 $10,863
    Personal Costs $3,411 $3,411
    Transportation $4,995 $4,995
    TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a $13,860 $19,269
    TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance $22,832 $28,241
    • 1a 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 Student 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 (Diploma and Associate programs)

    School of Nursing (Diploma and Associate programs)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Tuition $18,180 $18,180
    Fees $2,400 $2,400
    Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $675 $675
    Administrative Fee1a $495 $495
    TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a $21,750 $21,750
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Living Expenses3a $5,454 $10,863
    Personal Costs $3,411 $3,411
    Transportation $4,995 $4,995
    TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a $13,860 $19,269
    TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance $35,610 $41,019
    • 1a 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 Student 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 (Bachelor's program)

    School of Nursing (Bachelor's program)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Tuition $17,118 $17,118
    Fees $2,400 $2,400
    Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $675 $675
    Administrative Fee1a $495 $495
    TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a $20,688 $20,688
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Living Expenses3a $5,454 $10,863
    Personal Costs $3,411 $3,411
    Transportation $4,995 $4,995
    TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a $13,860 $19,269
    TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance $34,548 $39,957
    • 1a 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 Student 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.

    Download PDF print version

EXAMPLES of 2026-27 Graduate Financial Aid Cost of Attendance (COA)

All COA components shown below are for nine months and full-time (8+ credits per quarter). Students attending less than full-time are eligible for financial aid; however, the COA and maximum awards may be adjusted for attending less than full-time attendance and/or less than an Academic Year. Part-time financial aid cost of attendance figures are available on the downloadable PDF version below.

  • All Schools (except Nursing)

    All Schools (except Nursing)
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Tuition $6,183 $6,183
    Fees $1,200 $1,200
    Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $450 $450
    Administrative Fee1a $125 $125
    TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a $7,958 $7,958
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent Not Living With Parent
    Living Expenses3a $5,454 $10,863
    Personal Costs $3,411 $3,411
    Transportation $4,995 $4,995
    TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a $13,860 $19,269
    TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance $21,818 $27,227
    • 1a 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 Student 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 – MSN & Nursing Postgraduate Certificate

    School of Nursing – MSN & Nursing Postgraduate Certificate
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent(s) Not Living With Parent(s)
    Tuition $7,830 $7,830
    Fees $1,200 $1,200
    Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $450 $450
    Administrative Fee1a $125 $125
    TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a $9,605 $9,605
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent(s) Not Living With Parent
    Living Expenses3a $5,454 $10,863
    Personal Costs $3,411 $3,411
    Transportation $4,995 $4,995
    TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a $13,860 $19,269
    TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance $23,465 $28,874
    • 1a For detailed information on the program administrative fee, visit the Program Administrative Fee page in our Course Catalog.
    • 2a Actual tuition, fees, and book charges vary by student, credit load, and program of study. To view your actual charges, go to the Student 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 – DNP/MSN-NP/NP-Postgraduate Certificate

    School of Nursing – DNP/MSN-NP/NP-Postgraduate Certificate
    Average Direct Costs Living With Parent(s) Not Living With Parent(s)
    Tuition $15,930 $15,930
    Fees $1,200 $1,200
    Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment $450 $450
    Administrative Fee1a $495 $495
    TOTAL Average Direct Costs2a $18,075 $18,075
    Estimated Indirect Costs Living With Parent(s) Not Living With Parent
    Living Expenses3a $5,454 $10,863
    Personal Costs $3,411 $3,411
    Transportation $4,995 $4,995
    TOTAL Estimated Indirect Costs4a $13,860 $19,269
    TOTAL Estimated Cost of Attendance $31,935 $37,344
    • 1a For detailed information on the program administrative fee, visit the Program Administrative Fee page in our Course Catalog.
    • 2a Actual tuition, fees, and book charges vary by student, credit load, and program of study. To view your actual charges, go to the Student 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.

    Download PDF print version