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Costs to Attend

It's easy to assume that Principia's top-tier liberal arts education and exquisite historic campus must be out of reach. It's not.

Principia College is consistently ranked by national media outlets, including U.S. News & World Report, as a top value liberal arts college. In addition to our modest tuition costs, Principia offers several opportunities for financial aid.

More About Financial Aid
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2026-27 Cost of Attendance

Annual student costs by living arrangement

On Campus Off Campus Living with Parent
Tuition* $34,800 $34,800 $34,800
Fees* $1,100 $1,100 $1,100
Living Expenses^ $13,900 $19,611 $9,806
Transportation** $1,190 $1,190 $1,190
Books/Supplies** $2,370 $2,370 $2,370
Personal Expenses** $2,020 $2,020 $2,020
Loan Fees^^ $120 $120 $120
TOTAL $55,500 $61,211 $51,406

Principia College requires all students to live on-campus, unless extenuating circumstances prevent a student from doing so.

Legend

* Tuition and fees based on full-time enrollment
** Estimated expenses that a student may incur, but are not directly billed by Principia College
^ Food cost is based on average meal plan cost, three meals each day. Learn more about Meal Plan information.
^^ Loan fees only included if loan is accepted

Additional Information about Cost of Attendance

International Student Costs

International students should consider that there will be additional costs associated with attending Principia beyond standard charges as listed above. These additional expenses vary and are dependent on the individual student's situation. Expenses include but are not limited to:

Additional Expenses for International Students

 

Semester

Annual

Student Health
Insurance

$400-$1,500

$800-$3,000

International
Student Tax

$500-$900

$1,000-$1,800

Campus Housing &
Meals during
academic breaks

$500-750

$1,000-$1,500

Airfare or other
travel during
academic breaks

$1,000-$2,000

$2,000-$4,000

Total

$2,400-$5,900

$4,800-$11,800

Note: Any statement regarding international student tax is for estimate purposes only and should not be treated as an actual calculation.

More Information

Fees for Federal Student Loans

Other Academic Fees and Registrar's Fees are listed in the College Catalog  

What happens if you withdraw from Principia College?

2025-26 Cost of Attendance

On Campus

Tuition

$34,800

Housing

$7,180

Food

$7,180

Fees

$1,130

Books/Supplies*

$1,000

Transportation*

$1,000

Misc/personal*

$1,500

Total

$53,790

Off Campus

Tuition

$34,800

Housing

$7,180

Food

$7,180

Fees

$1,130

Books/Supplies*

$1,000

Transportation*

$2,000

Misc/personal*

$1,500

Total

$54,790

Living with Parent

Tuition

$34,800

Housing

$1,795

Food

$1,795

Fees

$1,130

Books/Supplies*

$1,000

Transportation*

$2,000

Misc/personal*

$1,500

Total

$44,020

*Estimated expenses that a student may incur but are not directly billed by the school.

Tuition and Fees based on full-time enrollment (24–36 semester hours per year).

Food cost is based on average meal plan cost, 3 meals each day.

Meal plan costs can be found here: Meal Plan Info

Housing/Food for students living off campus with parents is calculated at 25% of a student living off campus.

On campus living requirements can be found here: Residency Requirements

Average Federal Loan Fees: $58-$78 per semester. For more information see: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/interest-rates#fees

Other Academic Fees and Registrar's Fees are listed in the College Catalog  

What happens if you withdraw from Principia College?