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Tuition & Fees

Tuition that won't break the bank

Unlock the USV Tuition Lock

Your college journey is a big deal; we’re here to make it smoother. At USV, we’re all about setting you up for success and making education affordable. 

Check out our cool new feature: the USV Tuition Lock. It’s like a financial superhero cape! With this, you’ll pay the same tuition rate from day one till you toss your cap at graduation. Just keep rocking at least 12 credits per trimester and stay enrolled non-stop.

We get it, tuition hikes are no fun. But while others might see prices climbing, you, as part of the Tuition Lock crew, can relax knowing your rate won’t budge. So, let’s chat about locking in your tuition and keeping your college finances predictable.

Lock in your Rate: Apply Today
Admissions
 

Tuition Lock at USV

A college education is the most important investment you will make. At USV we are committed to your success and providing the resources to help make it happen. Our Tuition Lock makes your financial plan more predictable and affordable. It applies to students attending all programs and instructional modalities who meet and maintain the eligibility requirements. Tuition Lock guarantees the same tuition rate from start through graduation for students enrolled ¾ time* per trimester and maintain continuous enrollment.

Students must adhere to the following terms to have your current tuition rate locked-in, however special circumstances may be taken into consideration before disqualification:

• Maintain continuous ¾ time* enrollment throughout the calendar year;

• Keep all financial accounts current and up to date;

• Apply for financial aid and provide required documents in a timely manner (if applicable); and

• Remain in good academic standing.**

Like many colleges, tuition rates at USV have often increased each year, usually in the fall. This was necessary to adjust to rising costs for purchasing and replacing equipment and maintaining a faculty of outstanding industry professionals and educators. While future increases in tuition can be expected, students eligible for the Tuition Lock will not be affected. 

We want to make sure our tuition and fees are clear and easy to understand. The tables below outline current tuition costs for students enrolled for 12 credits per term in our undergraduate degree programs or 9 credits per term in our graduate degree programs. These prices are the same for in and out-of-state students and are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at any time. 

*Students must be enrolled for 12 or more credits per trimester for undergraduate programs and 6 or more credits per trimester for graduate programs.

**Students must demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) by having and maintaining a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 or higher for undergraduate programs and 3.0 for graduate programs.

Tuition and financial support

For many young adults, college tuition is their first big investment. It can be scary, but don’t be scared, The Force (of Financial Aid) is With You!

Financial aid and scholarships can reduce your overall tuition costs for those who qualify. Connect with our admissions team to understand the true cost of tuition.

USV proudly awards over $1 million in scholarships every year! This can further lower the cost of attending college. 

Additionally, if you have transfer credit from an accredited institution, talk to your admissions advisor about a credit evaluation, at no charge.

College tuition may be more affordable than you think. Talk to an admissions advisor to get started today!

Connect with Admissions

Undergraduate Programs

$ 8,560 - 11,440 Per Term
TUITION COST BEFORE SCHOLARSHIPS
AND FINANCIAL AID APPLIED
  • Campus Tuition p/Credit: $895
    Online Tuition p/Credit: $655
  • Campus/Tech Fee (Term): $500
See More Details

Graduate Programs

$ 4,491 Per Term
TUITION COST BEFORE SCHOLARSHIPS
AND FINANCIAL AID APPLIED
  • Tuition Per Credit: $499
     
  • Campus Fee Per Term: $50
See More Details

Special Tuition Policy for USV Graduates

Endgame Leveling

University of Silicon Valley encourages USV graduates to return as non-degree seeking students by allowing them to take one course each trimester at one-half of the regular tuition charge and by waiving the admission application and the late registration fee. USV graduates taking courses under this program are allowed to register during the late registration period provided they obtain the approval of the instructor for the course being taken and the approval of the Dean of the College. Graduates must follow the regular registration process.

Digital Art & Animation

Game Design & Development

Audio & Music Technology

Computer Science

Business Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Students who withdraw from all classes on or after the start of the term, as well as students who withdraw from the University after the Add/Drop period will be subject to a pro-rata refund of institutional charges. The calculation will be based on the student’s last date of attendance, up to the 60% completion point in the term. Institutional charges include tuition, the campus fee, and the housing fee as shown in the Tuition and Fees section. Students who withdraw after the 60% completion point in the term are not eligible for a refund. For example, the 55th percentile point will be equivalent to a 45% refund of tuition charges.

Students receiving DoD Tuition Assistance (TA) who withdraw from the University after the Add/Drop period will be subject to a pro-rata return of unearned TA funds, based on the last day of attendance, up to the 60% completion point in the term. Students who withdraw after the 60% completion point in the term are not eligible for a refund or return of TA funds.

Institutional scholarship recipients who withdraw from the university are subject to a pro-rata charge for any unearned portion of the scholarship using the same percentage calculation as defined above for institutional charges.

State Grant recipients who withdraw from the university are subject to a pro-rata return of funds using the same calculation as defined in the Return of Title IV section and in accordance with the California Student Aid Commission.

Veteran Benefit recipients who withdraw from the university, unless requested by Veterans Affairs, will not be subject to a return of Veteran Benefits. Any Veteran Benefit received in excess of earned Institutional Charges and all other final adjustments will be refunded to the student.

If a student’s payments by way of cash, checks, credit card(s), financial aid, agencies, or other methods exceeds the amount the school may retain based upon the refund policy, a refund for this difference shall first be paid to the sponsoring agency, as required, prior to a student receiving these monies. With written permission from the student, refunds may be returned to the loan programs to reduce the student’s loan debt. If monies applied to a student’s account are less than the amount the school may retain, the student must make arrangements with the school to pay this difference. Other Charges and Fees listed in the Tuition Pricing Schedule may be non-refundable. Any balance remaining on account after the refund calculations have been applied must be paid by student.

Return of unearned funds and/or refunds owed to agencies, private loans, scholarships, and to the student will be paid within 30 days of the date of determination of withdrawal. Notification will be sent to withdrawn students of all returns of funds.

Percent of Period of Completed (Trimester) Institutional Charge Student Refund Percent
During the Add/Drop Period
100%
After Add/Drop and through enrollment of 10%
5%
95%
After 10% through enrollment of 20%
15%
85%
After 20% through enrollment of 30%
25%
75%
After 30% through enrollment of 40%
35%
65%
After 40% through enrollment of 60%
45%
55%
After 50% through enrollment of 60%
55%
45%
After 60% of enrollment
100%

Students receiving federal student financial aid funds (grants and/or loans) are entitled to a refund of monies not paid from federal student federal program funds. Additionally, a portion of these funds must be returned to the federal student aid programs if a student completes 60% or less of a payment period. A payment period represents one-half of an academic year. Federal student aid is generally disbursed in two payment periods for each academic year. If applicable, returns to Title IV programs will be made within 45 days of the date the student is determined to have withdrawn from school

If the student (or parent, in the case of a PLUS Loan) is eligible for additional funds at the time of withdrawal, the student may receive additional Federal Student Aid (Title IV) funds. If the student received more FSA funds than he or she earned under the Federal Return of Title IV Funds Policy, the University, and in some cases the student, is required to return the unearned funds to the federal program(s) or lender, as applicable.

Any balance remaining on the account after the refund calculation has been applied must be paid by student.

Return of Title IV Calculation

The formula for calculating the percentage of Title IV funds earned is based on the Federal Return of Title IV Policy as follows:

For students who withdraw or are dismissed from the institution, the number of days from the start date of the term to the student’s last date of attendance in the term from which the student withdrew. This is then divided by the total days in the term to determine the completion percentage and the percentage of aid earned for the term. If the percentage attended is greater than 60%, 100% of the aid for the term is earned, as well as 100% is earned for those who completed previously attended terms. The percentage of aid earned is then multiplied by the combined total of the Title IV Aid disbursed or could have been disbursed during the term to determine the amount of aid the student actually earned for the term. Scheduled breaks of five (5) consecutive calendar days or more are excluded from the return calculation.

All unearned portions of federal aid are returned to the appropriate programs in the following order:

  • Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans
  • Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans
  • Direct PLUS Loans (Parents)
  • Federal Pell Grant
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  • Other Title IV programs

If applicable, refunds to Title IV programs will be made within 45 days of the date the student is determined to have withdrawn based on the institution’s withdrawal policy. Notification will be sent to withdrawn students of all refunds made. Examples of return of funds calculations that may be made in accordance with Federal regulations and University policy may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.

It is at the discretion of the University to allow a Post-Withdrawal Disbursement for a student who fails to respond to the school within the prescribed 15-day period. Once the student accepts the Post-Withdrawal Disbursement, the University has 180 days from the date of determination of withdrawal to disburse those funds to the student’s account. 

University of Silicon Valley