MFA Film Tuition
Columbia University School of the Arts provides over $18 million for student support each year in the form of tuition scholarships, paid student positions, and teaching assistantships, as well as institutional awards and grants to support research, travel, and productions. The School of the Arts admissions process is need-blind, which means that financial need is not factored into admissions decisions.
MFA Applicants who wish to have their financial need considered in potential offers of School of the Arts scholarship or fellowship aid (also referred to as “institutional aid”) must complete the following steps:
- Choose the pull-down menu option in your School of the Arts MFA Application for Admission stating that you wish to be considered for institutional aid.
- U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents only: Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form at www.studentaid.gov by February 1. Columbia’s School Code is 002707.
- All MFA applicants: Complete the online School of the Arts Financial Aid Application by February 1 for admission in the fall semester.
First and Second-Year Students
- Direct Costs
- Tuition (up to 18 credits)
- Fall 2025
- $38,920
- Spring 2026
- $38,920
- Total
- $77,840
- Direct Costs
- Career Services Fee
- Fall 2025
- $85
- Spring 2026
- $85
- Total
- $170
- Direct Costs
- Student Activity Fee
- Fall 2025
- $55
- Spring 2026
- $55
- Total
- $110
- Direct Costs
- University Services and Support Fee
- Fall 2025
- $618
- Spring 2026
- $618
- Total
- $1,236
- Direct Costs
- Health Services Fee
- Fall 2025
- $723
- Spring 2026
- $723
- Total
- $1,446
- Direct Costs
- Medical Insurance*
- Fall 2025
- $2,044
- Spring 2026
- $3,323
- Total
- $5,367
- Direct Costs
- Total Direct Costs
- Fall 2025
- $42,445
- Spring 2026
- $43,724
- Total
- $86,169
Third-Year MFA Film Students (Research Arts): Creative Producing and Writing for Film & Television
Direct Costs
Tuition
Fall 2025
$3,218
Spring 2026
$3,218
Total
$6,436
Direct Costs
Film MFA Thesis Fee
Fall 2025
$2,768
Spring 2026
$2,768
Total
$5,536
Direct Costs
Career Services Fee
Fall 2025
$85
Spring 2026
$85
Total
$170
Direct Costs
Student Activity Fee
Fall 2025
$55
Spring 2026
$55
Total
$110
Direct Costs
University Services and Support Fee
Fall 2025
$618
Spring 2026
$618
Total
$1,236
Direct Costs
Health Services Fee
Fall 2025
$723
Spring 2026
$723
Total
$1,446
Direct Costs
Fall 2025
$2,044
Spring 2026
$3,323
Total
$5,367
Direct Costs
Total Direct Costs
Fall 2025
$9,511
Spring 2026
$10,790
Total
$20,301
Third and Fourth-Year MFA Film Students (Research Arts): Screenwriting/Directing
- Direct Costs
- Tuition
- Fall 2025
- $3,218
- Spring 2026
- $3,218
- Total
- $6,436
- Direct Costs
- Film MFA Thesis Fee
- Fall 2025
- $2,768
- Spring 2026
- $2,768
- Total
- $5,536
- Direct Costs
- Career Services Fee
- Fall 2025
- $85
- Spring 2026
- $85
- Total
- $170
- Direct Costs
- Student Activity Fee
- Fall 2025
- $55
- Spring 2026
- $55
- Total
- $110
- Direct Costs
- University Services and Support Fee
- Fall 2025
- $618
- Spring 2026
- $618
- Total
- $1,236
- Direct Costs
- Health Services Fee
- Fall 2025
- $723
- Spring 2026
- $723
- Total
- $1,446
- Direct Costs
- Medical Insurance*
- Fall 2025
- $2,044
- Spring 2026
- $3,323
- Total
- $5,367
- Direct Costs
- Total Direct Costs
- Fall 2025
- $9,511
- Spring 2026
- $10,790
- Total
$20,301
Additional Fees During the Academic Year
- Additional Fees
- International Student Fee
- Total
- $170
- Per semester for all international students
- Additional Fees
- Document Fee
- Total
- $105
- Charged during your first semester of your first year
- Additional Fees
- Course or Lab Fees
- Total
- Varies
- Typically between $30 to $125 per course
- Additional Fees
- Late Registration Fee
- Total
- $100
- If after the late registration period
- Additional Fees
- Late Payment Fee
- Total
- $150
- This fee is assessed if you make your payment after the due date of the first term bill. An additional charge of 1.5% of the balance due will be assessed per month on any past due amount thereafter.
- Additional Fees
- Per-point tuition
- Total
- $2,596
- Per point
- Indirect Costs
- Food
- Fall 2025
- $3,196
- Spring 2026
- $3,996
- Total
- $7,192
- Indirect Costs
- Housing
- Fall 2025
- $6,944
- Spring 2026
- $8,680
- Total
- $15,624
- Indirect Costs
- Transportation
- Fall 2025
- $588
- Spring 2026
- $735
- Total
- $1,323
- Indirect Costs
- Personal Expenses
- Fall 2025
- $1,560
- Spring 2026
- $1,950
- Total
- $3,510
- Indirect Costs
- Books & Supplies
- Fall 2025
- $625
- Spring 2026
- $625
- Total
- $1,250
- Indirect Costs
- Total Indirect Costs
- Fall 2025
- $12,913
- Spring 2026
- $15,986
- Total
- $28,899
* Domestic students may request a waiver from the Columbia Student Health Insurance plan by submitting a waiver application at the beginning of the academic year with proof of comparable coverage. The Health Services Fee cannot be waived. International students must be insured through Columbia's plan except in rare circumstances when they are covered by a U.S.-based, employer-sponsored, group health plan (as a primary, spouse or dependent). Such requests are reviewed on a case by case basis. Please click here for more information.