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 and predictable, set at 5% per year to keep pace with the real costs of higher education, such as faculty and staff compensation, 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.
Designed to Be Doable
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.
You don’t have to pay tuition all at once. Maitripa offers flexible payment plans that allow many students to spread costs across the semester. For a typical full-time schedule, this can mean budgeting about $700–$1,175 per month, depending on the term.
2027-2028 Low-Residency Program Tuition (MAAB and MDiv)
Tuition: $650/credit
Fees: $150/term
Master of Arts in Applied Buddhism (MAAB)
- Program Length: 2 years (4 semesters and 2 summer terms)
- Total Credits: 34
- Application Fee: $75 US Citizen, Permanent Resident / $125 International
- Average Annual Tuition: $11,331
- Average Annual Student Fees: $462
- Average Annual Book Costs: $300 (estimated $100/term)
- Estimated Total Cost: $24,185 + one-time application fee — about $1,008/month over 24 months; travel, housing, meals for onsite residencies not included
Typical Enrollment: 17 credits/year (Fall, Spring semesters: 7 credits and Summer: 3 credits)
| Academic Year | Tuition per Credit | Term Fees | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-2028 | $650 x 17 credits = $11,050 | $150 × 3 = $450 | $11,500 |
| 2028-2029 | $683 x 17 credits = $11,611 | $158 × 3 = $474 | $12,085 |
Master of Divinity (MDiv)
- Program Length: 4 years (8 semesters and 4 summer terms, including CPE)
- Total Credits: 72
- Application Fee: $75 US / $125 International (nonrefundable)
- Average Annual Tuition: $11,589
- Average Annual Student Fees: $447 [see below year 2]
- Average Annual Book Costs: $300 (estimated $100/term)
- Estimated Total Cost: $49,341 + one-time application fee — about $1,028/month over 4 years; CPE costs, travel, housing, meals for onsite residencies not included
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027-2028 | $650 x 17 credits = $11,050 | $150 × 3 = $450 | $11,500 |
| 2028-2029 | $683 x 14 credits* = $9,562 * + 1 unit of CPE (Summer, 6 credits) |
$158 × 2 = $316 | $9,878 |
| 2029-2030 | $717 x 17 credits = $12,189 | $166 × 3 = $498 | $12,687 |
| 2030-2031 | $753 x 18 credits = $13,554 | $174 × 3 = $522 | $14,076 |
Payment Plans
Students who choose to enroll in a payment plan must be enrolled and submit their first payment on or before the first day of class. Once a payment plan has been agreed upon, students can either submit payment on the due date via check or credit card. Late fees will automatically be charged to the student account for late tuition payments, as per the below.
Payment Plan Schedule
Below is a sample payment options using an annual tuition of $11,500 (17 credits) as an example. These amounts are based on credits/semester and actual plans may differ slightly. Exact amounts adjust slightly in future years in accordance with published tuition rates.
Monthly
Sept-Dec (7 credits): $1,175/month (Fall Semester)
Jan-April (7 credits): $1,175/month (Spring Semester)
May-July (3 credits): $700/month (Summer Term)
Tuition Refund
Fall and Spring Semesters (16 weeks):
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 refundedNo refund will be issued after the 8th week of the term.
Summer Term (10 weeks)
Amount of Refund (as follows):
Week 1 | 90% of tuition refunded
Week 2 | 80% of tuition refunded
Week 3 | 70% of tuition refunded
Week 4 | 60% of tuition refunded
Week 5 | 50% of tuition refundedNo refund will be issued after the 5th week of the term.
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 contact Admissions & Programs 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.
Maitripa College Education Fund 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.
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.
Maitripa College Monastic 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 Education 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 a planned 5% annual increase to account for rising instructional and operational costs. Students are billed each term only for their enrolled courses. Annual cost estimates on this page assume a typical full-time enrollment.
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 and fees for a full-time load (17 credits) are about $11,500 in 2027-2028, roughly 40% below 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:
MAAB tuition would rise from $23,585 → approximately $27,123
MDiv tuition would rise from $48,141 → approximately $55,362
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 an 8.07% interest rate (2026–27). Over a standard 10-year repayment plan, a student ends up paying about 46% more than the original tuition amount.
This means:
For the MAAB, a $27,123 loan results in $39,610 repaid, including $12,487 in interest.
For the MDiv, a $55,362 loan results in $80,849 repaid, including $25,487 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 missionOur goal is to support your education in a way that minimizes financial burden—not increases it.
