Skip to main content
    Admissions
    Find all the information you need about applying to PNCA in one place. Take the next step and start your application.
Admitted Students
Enrolling Students
International Students
    Cost & Aid Overview
    Get the latest information about tuition costs and financial aid opportunities available to PNCA students.
Tuition & Fees
Types of Aid
Steps to Financial Aid
Calculate Your Cost (NPC)
    Academics Overview
    Learn more about our distinct art and design programs. Find out about our unique opportunities, studio-based classes, and dedicated faculty.
All Programs and Degrees
Career Design
Study Abroad
Pre-College Program
    Culture Overview
    Get a feel for life at PNCA. From campus culture to the surrounding Portland area, learn how we make aspiring artists feel at home.
Watershed
Galleries and Exhibitions
Online Galleries
Symposium
Community Events
Notable Alumni
Request Info Visit Apply Give
About News Alumni Parents Academic Calendar
Willamette University

Tuition and Fees

A PNCA education offers enduring value. Students in our undergraduate and graduate programs learn from exceptional teachers and apply their skills in real-world settings. As graduates, they find success as confident, self-directed and engaged global citizens.

We offer generous financial aid to make this life-changing experience affordable. The upcoming year's tuition and fees schedules are posted in late spring.

Note: Direct costs are billed to you by the university. Indirect costs are estimated expenses such as books, supplies, food, personal expenses, and transportation that you will likely incur as a student, but are not part of your university billing statement.

Undergraduate Cost of Attendance

Full-time (12 to 18 credit hours)
Typical program length: 4 years

Direct Costs

Description Cost: 2025-26 Cost: 2026-27 Unit
Tuition $25,920 $27,200 Per semester
Student Activity Fee1 $50 $50 Per semester
Housing3 (Shared bedroom unit) $6,425 $6,745 Per semester
Residence Hall Fee $75 $75 Per semester
     Sub-Total $32,470 $34,070 Per semester
Annual Cost (2 semesters) $64,940 $68,140 Per Year

Indirect Costs

Description Cost: 2025-26 Cost: 2026-27 Unit
Health Insurance2 $4,167 $4,818 Per year
Books and Supplies $721 TBD Per semester
Food $3,857 TBD Per semester
Personal Expenses $902 TBD Per semester
Transportation $680 TBD Per semester

Other tuition & fee charges

Description Cost: 2025-26 Cost: 2026-27 Unit
Part-time tuition per credit hour under 12 credits $2,160 $2,267 Per credit hour
Overload charges per credit hour over 18 credits $1,440 $1,511 Per credit hour

1This fee is charged to all students enrolled for 6 or more credit hours in a semester.

2Health insurance billing includes a $50 per-semester administration fee. Insurance rates for international students may differ. Insurance is billed to students enrolled for 6 or more credit hours and to all international students, regardless of credit load. Health insurance is based on term length and may vary between semesters.

3Requires $300 refundable security deposit.

Graduate Cost of Attendance

Full-time (9 to 18 credit hours)
Typical program length: 2 years

Direct Costs

Description Cost: 2025-26 Cost: 2026-27 Unit
Visual Studies MFA $50,720 $45,000 Per year
Printmaking (was Print Media) MFA 4 $50,720 $45,000 Per year
Critical Studies MA $36,930 $37,660 Per year
Critical Studies + MFA $40,570 $41,380 Per year
Student Activity Fee 2 $100 $100 Per year

Indirect Costs

Description Cost: 2025-26 Cost: 2026-27 Unit
Books and Supplies $721 TBD Per Year
Health Insurance 3 $4,167 $4 ,818 Per year
Housing & Food $10,717 TBD Per semester
Personal Expenses $902 TBD Per semester
Transportation $680 TBD Per semester

1Overload Charges:

  • Visual Studies MFA per credit hour over 18 credits/semester: $2,500
  • Printmaking (was Print Media) MFA per credit hour over 18 credits/semester: $2,500
  • Critical Studies MA per credit hour over 18 credits/semester: $2,092
  • Dual MFA/MA per credit hour over 18 credits/semester: $2,299

2This fee is charged to all students enrolled for 6 or more credit hours in a semester.

3Health insurance billing includes a $50 per-semester administration fee. Insurance rates for international students may differ. Insurance is billed to students enrolled for 4.5 or more credit hours and to all international students, regardless of credit load. Low Residency students are not eligible for University health insurance. Health insurance is based on term length and may vary between semesters.

4Program name changes effective AY2026-27: Printmaking MFA (previously Print Media MFA)

Full-time (9 to 18 credit hours)
Typical program length: 2 years

Direct Costs

Description Cost: 2025-26 Cost: 2026-27 Unit
Low Residency Visual Studies MFA $37,490 $38,240 Per year
Low Residency Creative Writing MFA $21,000 $21,420 Per year

Indirect Costs

Description Cost: 2025-26 Cost: 2026-27 Unit
Low-Res Creative Writing: Housing &  Food $643/week TBD  
Low-Res Visual Studies: Housing & Food $643/week TBD
Books and Supplies $1,442 TBD Per Year
Student Activity Fee   $100 Per Year

1Low Residency students are charged the FY27 fall/spring rates for the summer/fall term of 2026.

Full-time (9 to 18 credit hours)
Typical program length: 1 year

Direct Costs

Description Cost: 2025-26 Cost: 2026-27 Unit
Post Baccalaureate $19,500 $19,500 Per year
Student Activity Fee1 $100 Per year

*Tuition Reset

Indirect Costs

Description Cost: 2025-26 Cost: 2026-27 Unit
Health Insurance2 $4,167 $4 ,818 Per year
Books and Supplies $1,442 TBD Per Year
Personal Expenses $902 TBD Per semester
Transportation $680 TBD Per semester

1This fee is charged to all students enrolled for 6 or more credit hours in a semester.

2Health insurance billing includes a $50 per-semester administration fee. Insurance rates for international students may differ. Insurance is billed to students enrolled for 4.5 or more credit hours and to all international students, regardless of credit load. Low Residency students are not eligible for University health insurance. Health insurance is based on term length and may vary between semesters.

Explore PNCA's Financial Aid Options

All PNCA students receive financial aid including scholarships, student loans, or part-time employment to bridge the financial gap and make their education affordable.

three students sitting in front of the 511 building

Willamette University