TEM #029: 10 graduate school fees you don’t expect.

February 9, 2024

It’s Friday!! You made it!

The recent price-gouging of chocolates and flowers for Valentine’s Day next week got me thinking about the actual costs of going back to graduate school.

(Spoiler alert: usually more than the website’s sticker price).

After a quick skim below, you’ll know exactly what to expect cost-wise if you start a back-to-school savings plan this year.

This week’s highlights:

• Your education affirmation

• 10 graduate school fees you don’t expect

• The DeBeers of chocolate 💝

• Coming soon: The Graduate School Shop

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Education affirmation.

“The expert in anything was once a beginner.” —Helen Hayes

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10 graduate school fees you don’t expect.

One of the biggest factors for working professionals going back to graduate school is the cost.

After working for a few years, you finally understand the value of a dollar and every one that you earn.

As you start to research graduate programs - especially if you have a budget in mind - knowing what “hidden” costs to expect will help you plan ahead.

Expected costs:

• Tuition

• Housing/transportation/food

• Books and school supplies (including tech like a laptop)

10 additional graduate school fees you might see:

1. Lab

2. Library

3. Parking

4. Facilities

5. Graduation

6. Technology

7. Health insurance

8. Student activities

9. Experiential learning

10. International student fees

11. BONUS: Professional memberships and conferences

This is a general list that will not apply to every graduate student, program or university (especially fully online programs), but are worth having on your radar.

When connecting with admissions representatives or current students, additional fees are a great topic to ask about.

Overview of each fee type (and potential price tag):

1. Lab - If your program involves laboratory work, you may need to cover the cost of materials, equipment maintenance, or specialized facilities. (Potential price: $50-$500 per course)

2. Library - Some universities charge for library services or access to electronic databases and resources. (Potential price: $50+)

3. Parking - If driving to campus, you may need to pay for a parking permit. (Potential price: $50 to $500 per semester)

4. Facilities - Universities may charge students to access facilities like fitness centers and recreational areas. (Potential price: $100 to $500 per semester)

5. Graduation - When submitting forms to graduate (yes, it’s a detailed process involving an audit of your transcript), you may pay an administrative fee plus buying or renting graduation regalia. (Potential price: $50 to $200)

   ** Did you know a PhD cap and gown can cost $800?!

6. Technology - These cover expenses related to campus-wide technology infrastructure, software licenses, and support services. Depending on your program, you may need specific equipment or software for personal use, too. Examples: SPSS for statistical analysis, MATLAB for engineering, and Adobe for graphic design. (Potential price: $50 to $300 per semester)

7. Health insurance - Some universities require students to have health insurance or charge to access the health center on campus. (Potential price: $1000+/year)

8. Student activities - These fees support student activities, clubs, and organizations, plus the cost of events**, guest speakers or even concerts. (Potential price: $50 to $300 per semester )

   ** Richard Simmons taught a group fitness class at Ohio State when I was a master’s student, he told me I was “TOO CUTE!!” during the meet and greet - it’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received 😁

9. Experiential learning - Programs with hands-on learning experiences, internships, or field placements may charge fees to cover administrative costs or supervision. (Potential price: $100 to $500 per semester)

10. International student fees - International student fees vary widely depending on the institution. Fees could include visa processing, orientation and other administrative costs. (Potential price: $100 to $500 per semester)

11. BONUS: Professional memberships, exams and conferences - Depending on you program and intended career, it might be beneficial to become a member of a professional organization and attend their annual conference to present or network. You might also need to take a professional exam like the CPA for accounts or PMP for project managers. (Potential price: $50 to $1000+ per year)

Oof. That was a lot.

Take a deep breath and know that you likely won’t come across all of these fees as a graduate student.

Again, as you start researching programs, ask current students what they pay in non-tuition fees every semester, and you can even ask admissions representatives if there are fee waivers available in certain circumstances.

How I can help:

We can discuss graduate school expenses to expect for your specific program type during a 1:1 Graduate School Strategy Session - both of my full-time graduate programs (master’s and doctorate) included additional fees I wasn’t thrilled about but ultimately maximized since I was paying for them anyway.

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Fun fact.

You may have heard that DeBeers is responsible for the original marketing of diamonds for engagement rings.

In a similar marketing move, Mr. Richard Cadbury (yes, of chocolate egg fame) was the one who started the trend of heart-shaped boxes of chocolates for Valentine’s Day.

Just like a box of chocolates, you’re going to use and appreciate some of your graduate school fees and others will collect dust. It’s all part of the package.

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Coming soon.

The Graduate School Shop (including digital resources and 1:1 Strategy Sessions!) will be open in the next week or two.

I’m so excited to open the digital doors and look forward to celebrating with The Education Mindset Community first!

As always, thanks for being here - have an amazing weekend!

Dr. Jena

P.S. If a box of overpriced surprise Valentine chocolates aren’t your speed, Reese’s Eggs are officially on grocery store shelves. Hit reply and let me know if you also love eating them straight out of the freezer 🥶

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