Expenses and funding

A valid I-20/DS-2019 is required for you to obtain a visa and enter the U.S., transfer from another school to MU and maintain immigration status once you are in the U.S. Educational institutions in the U.S. are required by federal regulation to have documentation of adequate financial support before you may:

  • Receive an I-20/DS-2019
  • Extend or change a program
  • Change financial information on your I-20/DS-2019

You must show proof of having financial resources immediately available to cover 12 months of expenses based on the estimates outlined below. Remember that all fees may change without notice and that specific costs for each student will vary depending on the number of credits, housing options, etc.

Estimated expenses

Undergraduate students

Tuition and fees are based on full-time enrollment, defined as 12–18 credits each fall and spring term. Your tuition tier is based on your major. Use the tuition tool on the Cashiers website to look up your major.

Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$17,161$17,161–$34,322
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$26,210$26,626$2,500$55,336
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.
Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$18,061$18,061–$36,122
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$27,110$27,526$2,500$57,136
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.
Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$18,961$18,961–$37,922
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$28,010$28,426$2,500$58,936
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.

Graduate students

Tuition and fees are based on full-time enrollment, defined as 9 credits each fall and spring term. Your tuition tier is based on your academic plan. Use the tuition tool on the Cashiers website to look up your academic plan.

Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$11,764$11,765–$23,529
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$20,814$21,230$2,500$44,544
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.
Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$12,079$12,080–$24,159
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$21,129$21,545$2,500$45,174
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.
Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$12,439$12,440–$24,879
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$21,488$21,905$2,500$45,893
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.
Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$13,114$13,115–$26,229
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$22,163$22,163$2,500$47,243
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.
Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$8,353$8,354–$16,707
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$17,402$17,819$2,500$37,721
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.
Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$9,361$9,362–$18,723
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$18,410$18,827$2,500$39,737
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.
Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Tuition and fees$9,514$9,515–$19,029
International student services fee*$159$159–$318
Living expenses$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142
Health insurance$1,069$1,485–$2,554
Total$18,563$18,980$2,500$40,043
Dependentsfor each add$4,000
*Mandatory fee $159 each fall and spring semester; $79.50 if enrolled during summer.

Estimated living expenses breakout

Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Room and board$5,525$5,525$2,500$13,550
Books and supplies$475$475$950
Miscellaneous personal expenses$1,821$1,821$3,642
Total$7,821$7,821$2,500$18,142

Sponsored students

International sponsored students are charged an additional fee for the services provided by the Sponsored Student Program to meet scholarship reporting requirements. These fees are invoiced to your sponsor each term.

Item(s)Fall 2023Spring 2024Summer 2024Annual
Sponsored Student Program fee$500$500$300$1,300

Financial documentation

Documents meeting the requirements in the categories below will be accepted at the discretion of the international student adviser. All financial support documents must be:

  • Dated within 12 months of the intended date of enrollment or time of program change/extension.
  • In English or with an official translation into English attached.

New MU students must show adequate funding for at least one year based on the estimated expenses above. Funding requirements for continuing MU students vary based on request and student standing. Contact your international student adviser to determine the amount required.

  • Must be on the official letterhead of the organization or department.
  • Must specify the amount, terms and duration of the funding, including specific start and end dates.
  • Must complete an affidavit of support.
  • Bank statement or letter must be on bank letterhead and include the name of the account holder, the account number and the specific amount of funds.
  • Name of sponsor on the affidavit of support must match the name of the account holder on the bank statement or letter.
  • Another F-1/J-1 student cannot be your sponsor on the affidavit of support.
  • Bank statement or letter must be on bank letterhead and include the name of the account holder, the account number and the specific amount of funds.
  • Name of the account holder on the bank statement or letter must be that of the student requesting the I-20/DS-2019.
  • Do not need to complete an affidavit of support.
  • You cannot make any changes or alterations to your financial documentation. It must not contain any correction marks upon submission.
  • All financial support must be readily accessible (within 24 hours). Stocks, bonds, life insurance policies, income tax statements, proof of property ownership and employment letters are generally not acceptable. One exception is MU graduate assistantship employment letters, which are acceptable.
  • Bank letters must provide the specific amount of funds. Stating that there are “sufficient financial resources” is not acceptable.
  • Bank account statements printed from the internet must be stamped by the bank to show the statement or print date to be accepted.