Maitripa College offers mission-driven, nonprofit graduate education in Applied Buddhism at one of the lowest tuition rates among private low-residency programs—prioritizing access, lineage, and meaningful formation over profit.

Tuition, Affordability, and Financial Access

Tuition for Maitripa College’s low-residency MA and MDiv programs is intentionally set at a low, cost-recovery level and is not designed to generate profit. As a nonprofit Buddhist institution, Maitripa College prices tuition to cover only the real costs of instruction, faculty compensation, student support, digital learning infrastructure, residencies, and accreditation compliance. Annual increases are modest, predictable, and tied to inflation rather than market competition. Within the broader landscape of U.S. graduate education—particularly private, faith-based, and low-residency programs—Maitripa’s tuition remains significantly below national averages, making these degrees among the most affordable of their kind.


2026-2027 Tuition

Tuition: $494/credit
Fees: $150/term


Master of Arts in Applied Buddhism (MAAB)

  • Program Length: 2 years
  • Total Credits: 44
  • Average Annual Tuition:  $9,027
  • Average Student Fees: $459
  • Estimated Total Program Cost: $18,054

Typical Enrollment: 17 credits/year (Fall, Spring semesters: 7 credits and Summer: 3 credits)

Academic Year
Tuition per Credit
Term Fees
Estimated Annual Cost
2026-2027
$494 x 17 credits = $8,398
$150 × 3 = $450
$8,848
2027-2028
$514 x 17 credits = $8,738
$156 × 3 = $468
$9,206

Master of Divinity (MDiv)

  • Program Length: 4 years
  • Total Credits: 72
  • Average Annual Tuition: $8,643
  • Average Student Fees: $477
  • Estimated Total Program Cost: $36,480 (+ CPE costs)

Typical Enrollment: 17 credits/year (7 credits Fall & Spring semesters, 3-4 credits Summer term)

Academic Year
Tuition per Credit
Term Fees (3 terms)
Estimated Annual Cost
2026-2027
$494 x 18 credits =  $8,892
$150 × 3 = $450
$9,342
2027-2028
$514 x 17 credits =  $8,738
$156 × 3 = $468
$9,206
2028-2029
$535 x14 credits* = $7,490
$162 × 3 = $486
$7,976
2029-2030
$556 x 17 credits =  $9,452
$168 × 3 = $504
$9,956
* + 1 unit of CPE (Summer, 6 credits)

Payment Plan Options

Below are sample payment options using an annual tuition of $8,848 (17 credits) as an example. These amounts are based on credits/semester; they may differ slightly. Exact amounts adjust slightly in future years in accordance with published tuition rates.

Monthly ($12 monthly processing fee)

  • Sept-Dec (7 credits): $914/month ($3,656)
  • Jan-April (7 credits): $914/month ($3,656)
  • May-July (3 credits): $556/month ($1,668)

Total $8,980

Per term ($25 term processing fee)

  • First Day of Fall Term (7 credits): $3,633
  • First Day of Spring Term (7 credits): $3,633
  • First Day of Summer Term (3 credits): $1,657

Total $8,923

Annual no processing fee

Total $8,848 (17 credits)

Payment plans are designed to support accessibility and allow students to plan responsibly while remaining fully engaged in their academic and contemplative commitments


Tuition Refund

Amount of Refund (as follows):
Week 1 | 93.75 of tuition refunded
Week 2 | 87.5% of tuition refunded
Week 3 | 81.25% of tuition refunded
Week 4 | 75% of tuition refunded
Week 5 | 68.75% of tuition refunded
Week 6 | 62.5% of tuition refunded
Week 7 | 56.25 of tuition refunded
Week 8 | 50% of tuition refunded
No refund will be issued after the 8th week of the semester.


Service Charges

A service charge of $15 per enrolled credit will be added to an account on the day after tuition is due. Every 30 days that tuition remains outstanding, a $15 service charge per enrolled credit will be added to the account. The service charge will continue to accrue on past due accounts on a monthly basis until the amount is paid in full. 


More Information

Please email registrar@maitripa.org for more information on any question regarding tuition, fees, payment plans, financial aid, and scholarships.


Scholarships

Partial scholarships are available to qualified degree students and are applied for each term of study rather than annually. View the admissions calendar for the current deadlines for scholarship applications.

Degree Program Scholarships (Non-Monastic): (Click here for details on non-monastic scholarships)

Monastic Scholarships

Study the great texts of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, become proficient in classical Tibetan for personal practice or translation, deepen your understanding of Buddhist philosophy and meditation techniques, engage with modern Buddhist Studies scholarship, and experience profound service-learning opportunities. Maitripa degree programs are founded upon the pillars of scholarship, meditation, and service toward personal and societal transformation. More than half of the academic courses are taught by founder and president, Yangsi Rinpoche, Geshe Lharampa, lineage holder, and a modern master of the tradition.

Inquire now about full tuition scholarships available for ordained sangha (monks and nuns) or click on the link below for online details and link to application form. Applies only to onsite study in Portland, Oregon, USA. Student visas are available for international students. 

Monastic Degree Program Scholarships: Click here for details and application form for monastic degree program scholarships)


Tuition Discounts

Alumni

Graduates of a Maitripa degree program may audit classes at Maitripa College with full tuition scholarship in recognition of the work they’ve already accomplished at Maitripa, as well as the vital role they play in our community. This discount applies from the date of completion of all credits, including successful completion of a final project (ARP), Master’s thesis, or comprehensive exam.

Continuing Educations Students 60+

Maitripa continuing education students who are sixty years or older at the time of registration qualify for a 10% tuition reduction per class. We care deeply about supporting a diverse student body at Maitripa College and hope that this reduction is helpful and appreciated. Note: Students who qualify for both reductions may choose which one they wish to utilize.


Detailed Tuition and Fees

Tuition for Maitripa College’s low-residency MA and MDiv programs is structured on a per-credit basis and reflects the College’s long-term commitment to affordability, transparency, and financial sustainability. Rates are set in alignment with historical tuition trends at Maitripa College and remain well below the average tuition for comparable private graduate programs, while supporting high-quality instruction, student services, and low-residency infrastructure. Tuition is reviewed annually, with modest planned increases to account for inflation and rising operational costs. Students are billed by academic year based on their expected full-time enrollment, and additional information about financing your education will be provided separately.


How This Compares Nationally

Graduate tuition in the United States varies widely by institution type and delivery mode, but most private nonprofit graduate programs charge well above the average tuition rates found at Maitripa College. For example, the average graduate tuition and fees at private colleges in 2025 is around $20,000–$21,000 per year—and many programs exceed this amount when additional fees are included. In contrast, Maitripa’s annual tuition for a full-time load (18 credits) ranges from roughly $9,300 to $10,000, representing less than half the typical private graduate tuition and significantly reducing the financial barrier for students who pursue advanced study in Buddhist humanities and related fields.

Compared to broader national figures that place the average total cost of a master’s degree (tuition, fees, and related expenses) in the tens of thousands of dollars per year, Maitripa’s structure emphasizes mission-driven affordability with minimal non-tuition overhead and flexible financial support options, making it one of the most accessible graduate pathways in its educational cohort.


Affordability – Why not FAFSA?

Choosing not to participate in federal financial aid helps keep your education more affordable in two major ways: by preventing tuition increases and by helping you avoid long-term loan costs.

1. Tuition would need to increase by an estimated 15%

Participating in federal financial aid (FAFSA) requires significant administrative staffing, compliance systems, and ongoing reporting. For a small institution like ours, these added requirements would raise our operating costs enough that tuition would need to increase by at least 15%.

For example:
· MA tuition would rise from $23,074 → approximately $26,535
· MDiv tuition would rise from $36,966 → approximately $42,511

These increases would apply to every student, not only those using federal aid.

2.  Students using federal loans would also pay interest for up to 10 years

Federal graduate loans currently carry a 7.94% interest rate. Over a standard 10-year repayment plan, a student ends up paying about 45% more than the original tuition amount.

This means:
· For the MA, a $26,535 loan results in $38,532 repaid, including $11,997 in interest.
· For the MDiv, a $42,511 loan results in $61,731 repaid, including $19,220 in interest.

When you combine the 15% tuition increase with the long-term cost of federal student loan interest, the total price of your degree becomes significantly higher.

By not participating in FAFSA, we are able to:

·  Keep tuition lower for all students
·  Allow students to avoid the long-term cost of loan interest
·  Maintain a simple, transparent financial process that aligns with our mission

Our goal is to support your education in a way that minimizes financial burden—not increases it.