Your Grad School Cost Guide: Part 2 — Fees, Residency & Questions That Matter

By: Dr. Deborah Tollefsen, Vice Provost & Dean of the UofM Graduate School

In Part 1 of our guide, we looked at tuition models and common fees—but that’s only part of the story. Many of the real financial differences between graduate programs come from less visible costs: residency-based tuition rates, program-specific surcharges, and course-related fees that can quickly add up.

In Part 2, we go beyond the basics to help you uncover the hidden costs of graduate education—and offer the right questions to ask when comparing programs. Understanding these details now can save you thousands and help you choose a program that fits your academic and financial goals.

In-State, Out-of-State, and International Tuition Rates 

For public universities:

• In-state students typically pay the lowest rate, subsidized by state funding. 
• Out-of-state students often pay significantly more—sometimes double the in-state rate. 
• International students may be charged even higher rates, and may not be eligible for the same financial aid or assistantships. 

Some universities offer tuition waivers, regional discount programs, or automatic in-state classification for graduate assistants. Others treat all graduate students the same regardless of residency. At the University of Memphis, we have border county tuition waiver which reduces the out of state rate to the in state rate for students residing in certain counties surrounding Memphis.
 
Key tip: Explore residency requirements. At some universities, state policy allows you to become a resident once you are in school for a certain period of time.

Additional Course Fees

Not all costs are listed under "tuition." Some courses carry special fees for things like: 

These fees are often listed in the course catalog or on departmental websites. Sadly, they are often a hidden cost. At the University of Memphis, we strive to be transparent about our tuition and course fees. Our MBA program, for instance, provides a very clear cost of attendance estimation.

Key tip: Ask your department if any recurring course fees apply to your degree path. These can add hundreds of dollars over the course of your studies.

Differential Tuition

Differential tuition is a surcharge applied to specific programs or colleges—especially those with higher resource needs or strong job market demand. Examples include:

• Business (MBA)
• Engineering
• Nursing
• Data Science

This charge may be applied per credit hour or per semester and is in addition to base tuition and fees.

Key tip: Make sure to ask whether your program includes differential tuition and how it’s applied. If there are course fees and a differential tuition rate, don’t be afraid to ask why.

Final Thoughts: Ask the Right Questions

To make an accurate cost comparison between programs, don’t rely solely on listed tuition rates. Ask each university:

• What is the total estimated cost to complete the program?
• What’s included in the tuition? What’s not?
• Are there assistantships or tuition waivers available?
• Are there differences between online and on-campus fees?
• Does the university offer a tuition cap or flat rate after a certain credit threshold?
• Are there additional or hidden fees for courses or special programs?

Geographical Costs

Resources 

The Council of Graduate Schools just launched a new resource to help prospective and current graduate students navigate financial planning issues before, during, and after graduate school. It provides diverse resources including a debt-to-earnings calculator that allows students to explore the potential return on investment (ROI) of various graduate degrees. https://gradsense.org