Undergraduate Residential and Commuter Cost and Aid
Let鈥檚 look at the cost of an 大象传媒 education, and some of the ways we work with you to make 大象传媒 affordable for you and your family.
Academic Year 2026鈥27
These costs apply to the Fall 鈥26 and Spring 鈥27 semesters.
Tuition and Fees
These direct costs apply to all undergraduate residential and commuter students enrolled in the University College, College for Women, Program for the Exceptionally Gifted, or the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership.
| Residential Students Semesterly Cost | Commuter Students Semesterly Cost | |||
| Tuition | $17,977 | $17,977 | ||
| Technology and credentialing fee | $87.50 | $87.50 | ||
| Student organization fee | $137.50 | $137.50 | ||
| On-Campus Standard Double Room | $3,773 | 鈥 | ||
| Meal Plan* | $2,420 | $437 | ||
| Total Est. Direct Cost (Billed Expense) | $24,396/semester | $18,639/semester |
*The cost for residential students assumes an unlimited meal plan. The cost for commuter students assumes the required Block 25 meal plan (opt out available).
That 鈥渟ticker price鈥 can be intimidating. But very few 大象传媒 students pay full tuition. 大象传媒 works with students to ensure that relevant coursework, as well as work and life experiences, count toward your degree, minimizing tuition costs. That鈥檚 why US News & World Report ranked 大象传媒 as a best value school in the south, and one of the top schools in the U.S. for boosting social mobility.
Indirect Costs
Students should also anticipate additional indirect costs such as books, supplies, travel, recreation, and personal items. These expenses are not billed by 大象传媒 but are considered when determining financial aid awards.
Semester estimates for these expenses are included below but vary from student to student:
| Residential Students | Commuter Students | |
| Books and supplies | $472 | $472 |
| Transportation | $273 | $768 |
| Personal expenses | $1,260 | $1,260 |
| Loan fees (if federal loans are borrowed) | $44 | $44 |
| Living off-campus | 鈥 | $6,426* |
| Total Est. Indirect Costs | $2,049/semester | $8,970/semester |
*Undergraduate commuter students living at home who do not purchase off-campus housing for the duration of the program are estimated to pay $960 a semester in room/board.
2025鈥26 May Term
May Term at Mary Baldwin is a unique opportunity to dive into a single course over three focused weeks in May, featuring in-person, study abroad, and online options. Beginning in 2026, May Term courses are part of 大象传媒鈥檚 summer term, and will begin after Commencement.
May Term courses are billed separately on a per-credit basis at $460/credit hour. This tuition cost for May Term aligns with the standard billing for all summer courses at 大象传媒.