Understanding DigiPen Institute of Technology Tuition and Costs
DigiPen Institute of Technology is a college focused on interactive media and video game development. Since its inception in 1988, DigiPen has cultivated professionals ready to meet the demands of the interactive media and video game industries. DigiPen students gain the foundational knowledge and team experience to move the industry forward by creating new tools and processes themselves.
Tuition and Fees
The annual tuition to attend DigiPen Institute of Technology is $37,200. The resident tuition and fees for the 2024-2025 academic year is $39,100. For international students, the flat rate tuition is $22,130 per semester, amounting to $44,260 per year.
Factors Influencing Tuition Costs
It's important to note that tuition costs can vary based on several factors:
- Credit Hours: Students enrolled for less than the standard full-time credit load (typically 15-16 credits) are often charged per credit.
- Program of Study: Certain programs, like the BFA, BA in Music and Sound Design, and BA in Game Design, may have additional software costs included in their cost of attendance.
- International vs. Domestic: International students often face different tuition rates compared to domestic students.
Historical Tuition Trends
The estimation assumes a 3.9% annual increase over the next 4 years which has been the recent trend for this school.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is a standardized set of budgets used as a basis for determining maximum financial aid eligibility. Standard COA includes tuition, fees, housing, food, books, supplies, laptop, transportation, and personal expenses.
Read also: Tuition at Loyola University Maryland
COA can also be increased by exception to include expenses such as health insurance, computer purchase, child care, and additional fees.
Room and Board
On-campus room and board is provided by the school at a cost of $16,240 per academic year. The average yearly cost of room and board at DigiPen Institute of Technology was of $15,112 in 2023.
Additional Living Expenses
If living on-campus, students should budget for $3,512 in additional living expenses.
Net Price and Financial Aid
The average reported annual net price for DigiPen Institute of Technology for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was $40,015 in 2019/2020. In 2023 DigiPen Institute of Technology had an average net price - the price paid after factoring in grants and loans - of $40,015. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price of DigiPen Institute of Technology grew by 4.43%.
The net price provides a more realistic estimate of the true cost of attending DigiPen Institute of Technology, once common grants and scholarships have been taken into account. It's important to note that your net price will fluctuate based on factors such as family income, assets and individual financial need.
Read also: Affording ECU
Financial Aid Availability
58% of full-time undergrad DigiPen Institute of Technology received financial aid in the form of grants, scholarships, fellowships from the institution or from Federal, State or local government agencies. This aid averaged $11,720 per student during the 2019/2020 school year. In 2023, 54% of undergraduate students attending DigiPen Institute of Technology received financial aid through grants. Comparatively, 44% of undergraduate students received financial aid through loans.
There are several types of financial aid available for students who qualify. DigiPen is committed to helping all students make the most of their financial investment by providing the resources needed to succeed, including one-on-one financial aid counseling to help make the costs of attendance affordable.
Grants and Scholarships
Grant and scholarship aid does not need to be paid back. The average Pell Grant awarded for 2019/2020 was $5,281. To apply for a Pell Grant to attend DigiPen Institute of Technology, the first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Student Loans
Federal Student Loans are not grants and must be repaid with interest.
Loan Modeling and Repayment
To gauge a more realistic picture of what it really could cost you out of pocket to go to DigiPen Institute of Technology, we've modeled a ten year student loan with an original principal value of $160,060. The loan balance of $160,060 is a four year multiple of the $40,015 average net price. This is a estimate of what you could owe upon graduation if you were to qualify for average financial aid and what a degree really may cost.
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Should you not qualify for financial aid, you may owe significantly more when you graduate. Based on these assumptions, a monthly repayment of $1,820 could be required to pay off your student loan. Please note that financial aid is not guaranteed and is only available for qualifying students.
Affordability Considerations
In order to afford student loan payments and still meet all your other costs of living, it is recommended not to borrow more than you can pay back using 10% of your monthly income earned after graduation. If you're considering attending DigiPen Institute of Technology, should consider if it will be realistic to make the post graduation loan payments based on your expected salary.
Example Loan Repayment
CollegeSimply has modeled example payment coverage for the annual tuition and living expenses of $59,292. a $1,819.89 monthly payment in the example $160,060.00 loan modeled above. This assumes a repayment over 10 years. You can change the terms of this example loan using the student loan calculator below. View statistics about DigiPen Institute of Technology student loan debt and graduate salaries under student outcomes.
Cost of Attendance Breakdown (2025-2026)
The following tables provide a detailed breakdown of the Cost of Attendance for undergraduate students, both domestic and international, for the 2025-2026 academic year. The costs are divided into Direct Costs (billed by DigiPen) and Indirect Costs (estimated averages).
Domestic Students
Off-Campus
| Costs | Per Semester | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Rate Tuition | $19,860 | $39,720 |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 |
| Student Engagement Fee | $75 | $150 |
| New Student Orientation Fee | $150 | $150 |
| Living Expenses, Housing, Food | $9,984 | $19,968 |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $496 |
| Laptop Computer | $1,522 | $1,522 |
| Software Costs | $184 | $368 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $144 |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $2,560 |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $1,696 |
| Total | $34,323 | $66,974 |
*Off-Campus estimates are for any students living in DigiPen Housing and any other off-campus option that does not involve living with parents.
With Parents
| Costs | Per Semester | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Rate Tuition | $19,860 | $39,720 |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 |
| Student Engagement Fee | $75 | $150 |
| New Student Orientation Fee | $150 | $150 |
| Living Expenses, Housing, Food | $4,240 | $8,480 |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $496 |
| Laptop Computer | $1,522 | $1,522 |
| Software Costs | $184 | $368 |
| Loan Fees | $72 | $144 |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $2,560 |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $1,696 |
| Total | $28,579 | $55,486 |
International Students
Off-Campus
| Costs | Per Semester | Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Flat Rate Tuition | $22,130 | $44,260 |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $200 |
| Student Engagement Fee | $75 | $150 |
| New Student Orientation Fee | $150 | $150 |
| Living Expenses, Housing, Food | $9,984 | $19,968 |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $496 |
| Laptop Computer | $1,522 | $1,522 |
| Software Costs | $184 | $368 |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $2,560 |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $1,696 |
| Total | $36,521 | $71,370 |
*Off-Campus estimates are for any students living in DigiPen Housing and any other off-campus option that does not involve living with parents.
Graduate Programs (Example: MFA)
The following details the Cost of Attendance for the MFA program, showcasing a year-by-year breakdown:
Year 1
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Summer Semester | Year 1 Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,800 | $13,800 | $5,175 | $32,775 |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $100 | $300 |
| Student Engagement Fee | $75 | $75 | $75 | $225 |
| New Student Orientation Fee | $150 | $0 | $0 | $150 |
| Living Expenses, Housing, Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $7,488 | $27,456 |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $186 | $682 |
| Laptop Computer | $1,522 | $0 | $0 | $1,522 |
| Software Costs | $256 | $256 | $192 | $704 |
| Loan Fees | $116 | $116 | $87 | $319 |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $960 | $3,520 |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $636 | $2,332 |
| Total | $28,379 | $26,707 | $14,899 | $69,985 |
Year 2 (Estimate)
| Costs | Fall Semester | Spring Semester | Year 2 Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $16,570 | $13,800 | $30,370 |
| Administrative Fee | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| Student Engagement Fee | $75 | $75 | $150 |
| Living Expenses, Housing, Food | $9,984 | $9,984 | $19,968 |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $496 |
| Software Costs | $256 | $256 | $512 |
| Loan Fees | $116 | $116 | $232 |
| Transportation | $1,280 | $1,280 | $2,560 |
| Personal Expenses | $848 | $848 | $1,696 |
| Total | $29,477 | $26,707 | $56,184 |
Key Considerations
- Personalized Budgeting: Students and parents should discuss how the family will pay for college and create a personalized budget.
- Financial Aid Application: Explore need- and merit-based funding options to help pay for college education.
- Full-Time Status: "Full-Time" is determined as "12 credits or more per semester." Students who are planning to attend less than full-time need to contact the Office of Financial Aid to have their budget re-determined.
- Indirect Costs: Indirect costs are calculated averages and not billed to the school, but are associated with the cost of attending college.
Diversity and Inclusion
DigiPen is committed to fostering a diverse campus culture that is welcoming and supportive to students of all backgrounds.
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