Understanding Dean College Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid Options
Dean College, a private institution located in Franklin, Massachusetts, is committed to providing educational opportunities to a diverse range of students. Understanding the costs associated with attending Dean College and the available financial aid options is crucial for prospective students and their families. This article will provide a comprehensive overview of Dean College's tuition, fees, and financial aid programs, empowering students to make informed decisions about their education.
The Cost of Attendance: Breaking Down the Numbers
The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of the total expenses a student may incur for one academic year at Dean College. It's important to note that the COA is not the bill you'll receive; rather, it's a comprehensive estimate that includes both direct costs (like tuition and fees) and indirect costs (like living expenses).
Sticker Price Versus Net Price
The "sticker price" refers to the advertised cost of tuition and fees. At Dean College, the tuition is $48,678, making it more expensive than the national average. However, the sticker price doesn't reflect the actual amount most students pay. The "net price" is the cost of attendance minus any grants and scholarships a student receives. The average net price at Dean College is $31,472 per year. Your net price is specific to you because it’s based on your personal circumstances and the college’s financial aid policies. Use the college’s Net Price calculator for the most accurate estimate of your net price.
Additional Expenses
In addition to tuition and fees, students should also budget for other expenses, such as:
- Books and Supplies: \$1,000 per year
- Personal Expenses: \$570 per year
- Transportation: \$1,000 per year
The total cost, encompassing the sticker price and these additional expenses, amounts to $69,190 at Dean College.
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Student Health Insurance Program
Dean College has partnered with Academic Health Plans to provide a qualified student health insurance program (SHP) in compliance with state regulations. The annual premium for 2025-2026 was $2,480.00 (coverage from August 1, 2025 through July 31, 2026). For students starting in January, the cost was $1,040.00 (coverage from January 1, 2026 through July 31, 2026). According to the state regulation, comparable coverage is considered a health plan that provides comprehensive coverage, including all of the following: preventive care, emergency services, surgical services, hospitalization benefits, ambulatory patient services, and mental health services. In addition, the services covered need to be reasonably accessible to the student in the area where the student attends school.
Understanding Financial Aid Options
Financial aid can significantly reduce the cost of attending Dean College. Financial aid packages can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. It’s also interesting to note that after aid, the net price of a private institution can be comparable to what a public one can offer. At Dean, all applicants are automatically considered for a merit-based scholarship and 98 percent of students receive some form of financial aid.
Types of Financial Aid
- Grants: Grants are typically need-based and do not need to be repaid. Grants can be given out by the federal government, your state, or the college and are based on your financial need. 32% of undergraduates receive Pell grants.
- Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, athletic ability, or other criteria. Scholarships are a type of funding that you don’t need to pay back. Need-based scholarships take a student’s financial status into account. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students for academic or athletic achievement. You might also qualify for a scholarship based on your community service involvement, unique hobbies or traits, your personal background, or a parent’s employer or military affiliation. Some students receive enough in scholarship money to cover their tuition and living expenses. See the types of scholarships and grants available at Dean College below. Scholarships do not need to be repaid but you may have to reapply for them each year.
- Loans: Student loans are sums of money given to students to help them pay for college now. You must pay this money back later with interest. Student loans are sums of money given to students to help them pay for college now. You must pay this money back later with interest.
- Work-Study: Work-study programs allow students to earn money through part-time jobs on campus. Working while in school can help lessen the burden of your student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job. Begin your job search by checking whether your college has in-person or online job boards.
The FAFSA and Financial Aid Application Process
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is a crucial form for students seeking financial aid. The FAFSA, a free application, is required for citizens and permanent residents of the United States who wish to apply for federal student aid, including federal grants and loans. The FAFSA is also used to apply for state funds. Once you are accepted and have successfully submitted your FAFSA, you will receive a financial aid award. If your award is “Confirmed” you’ve completed the process! Department of Education and Dean College select applications for verification. The verification process requires Dean College to verify certain information that is listed on a student’s FAFSA. Changes to eligibility may result in an updated award should differences be found in the information provided on the FAFSA and/ or verification process.
Financial Aid for Part-Time Studies
Financial aid is impacted by the number of financial aid-eligible credits you are enrolled in. By completing the Part-Time Studies Financial Aid Application we will ensure that your financial aid award matches the number of credits you plan to take.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
In addition to the academic progress standards published in the Academic Requirements section of the Academic Catalog, financial aid recipients must meet academic progress criteria established in accordance with federal regulations. The Center for Student Financial Planning and Services will evaluate students satisfactory academic progress at the conclusion of the Spring semester after grades are posted. Students must successfully complete 60% of all attempted coursework. A passing grade is successful completion of a course with a grade of D- or better. Failure, withdrawal after the second week (or at any time during which a withdrawal grade of W or RW will be posted to the student’s transcript), or an incomplete (I) in a class constitutes an attempted course that is not successfully completed. Federal aid recipients cannot continue to receive aid after they have attempted more than 150% of the number of credits required for their degree. Transfer credits are counted in the total number of credits attempted.
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Students who fail to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards may not be eligible for financial aid in subsequent academic periods. Students not making Satisfactory Academic Progress will be notified in writing by the Financial Aid Office. Eligibility can be regained by submitting an appeal at least one month prior to the beginning of the following term. Appeals should contain a signed letter from the student and any documentation that supports claims of extenuating circumstances. Supporting letters from advisors and professors are also encouraged. Grounds for appeal include the student’s documented illness or other extenuating circumstances. Additional documentation may be requested depending on the nature of the appeal. Students may also regain eligibility by taking coursework to improve their grades or completion rate without the benefit of financial aid. Students can be re-evaluated for eligibility at any time and can be considered for financial aid in the term following the point at which the standards are met.
Withdrawal and Return of Title IV Funds
Students may withdraw from courses during the Withdrawal Period with the approval of their advisors and the faculty members teaching the courses they wish to withdraw from. Students are assigned a ‘W’ grade for the courses they withdraw from during the Withdrawal Period. W grades have no impact on students’ GPAs but may impact students’ academic standings, financial aid eligibility as well as athletic eligibility. Students may withdraw from courses during the Withdrawal Period with the approval of their advisors and the faculty members teaching the courses they wish to withdraw from. Students are assigned a ‘W’ grade for the courses they withdraw from during the Withdrawal Period.
Students who withdraw from all classes but attended the College for at least one day during the semester and received or were eligible to receive financial aid, are subject to a Return to Title IV Funds calculation. This calculation is mandated by the federal government. The calculation is done by the following: dividing the number of days the student attended by the days in the semester. Students who remain enrolled through the 60% point of the semester are considered to have earned 100% of their financial aid and will not owe a repayment of the Title IV funds. Title IV funds include the following: Federal PELL Grants, Federal Direct Loans, and Federal Direct PLUS Loans. The calculation will be done within 45 days of the withdrawal from the College. Notification of adjustments will be sent in writing to the student. In circumstances when the College must return funds to the federal government withdrawal calculations may result in an amount owed to the College.
Title IV Credit Balance
A Title IV credit balance occurs whenever the amount of Title IV funds credited to a student’s account for a payment period exceeds the amount assessed the student for allowable charges associated with that payment period. You may request a student refund for any portion of any credit balance on your student account.
Student Loan Debt at Dean College
How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate.
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At Dean College, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $25,000. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $265.
Additionally, 39% of graduating students at Dean College took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $62,661 in private loan debt at graduation.
Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class is $69,312. 75% of Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024).
Additional Information
- There is a $25 registration fee per semester and full payment must be made at the time of registration. Dean College accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
- Federal Direct Student Loans are long-term, fixed-interest rate federal student loans awarded based on a review of your FAFSA, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and your enrollment status. Repayment of Student Loans begins six months after you graduate, withdraw, or drop below half-time enrollment status (six credits). There are also limitations on the number of semesters you can receive Federal Student Loans.
- Dean College provides an educational opportunity to a wide variety of students with varying academic needs. We offer specialized programs of support for students with learning or physical disabilities. We offer a specialized program to support students with adjustment and social functioning challenges. Provides one-on-one tutoring from professional learning/reading, writing, and/or math specialists. The program is designed to build fundamental learning, writing and math skills necessary for college success. Academic Coaching teaches students to independently apply skills to their current coursework. Charges for the Academic Coaching Program are based on the level of service provided.
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