Tuition Costs

Tuition and Fees: the tuition and rates listed below are for the Fall 2024, Spring 2025, and Summer 2025 semesters. Tuition and fee rates for the upcoming academic year (Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026) will be available in June 2025.

Tuition and fees are based on your full-time Iowa State graduate student residency.
- Iowa Resident - Total cost per semester: $8,223.45
  - Tuition - $818 per credit hour or $7,355 for 9 or more credits; Total fees - $868.45
- Non-Resident - Total cost per semester: $17,285.45
  - Tuition - $1,825 per credit hour or $16,417 for 9 or more credits; Total fees - $868.45
- International - Total cost per semester: $18,247.45
  - Tuition - $1,931 per credit hour or $17,379 for 9 or more credits; Total fees - $868.45
  - International Graduate Estimated Expenses can be found here.

Master of Science, Creative Component/Capstone Project (Path #2)

Students are responsible for tuition and fees.
Students are not given a research or teaching assistantship or any scholarships from Iowa State University at admission. See more information at this link.
A financial statement will be required for international students. The Office of Admissions will email details regarding this statement.
Teaching assistantships are not offered to newly admitted students.

Research Assistantships for PhD and MS Thesis Students

When a graduate student is hired on an assistantship, their tuition is assessed at the resident tuition rate. Any enrolled student will be charged tuition and fees. Students on assistantship are responsible for paying their fees and any remaining tuition not covered by the assistantship.

All students admitted to the Ph.D. program receive a half-time graduate assistantship. The assistantship appointment requires you to work as a research assistant for 20 hours per week.

PhD in HCI and Master of Science, Thesis (Path #1) Applicants

These applicants will be considered for assistantship funding. We use the admission application for assistantships, so a separate application is not required for assistantships.

The majority of our graduate students are supported through research assistantships provided by their major professor/faculty advisor.
A research assistantship is provided to students by a faculty member (major professor) from his or her research grant or contract. Students on research assistantships are expected to perform research and other related activities as directed by their major professor toward the fulfillment of the grant requirements.
All assistantships are contingent on satisfactory performance of assigned duties, progression towards a degree, and the availability of funds.
MS, thesis, applicants will be considered for a 1/2 time research assistantship with a semester stipend of $10,436, a 75% tuition scholarship, and a graduate assistant tuition rate (in-state tuition rate; see tuition costs above) for the remaining tuition. They will also receive a fee award (your fees will be reduced). GAs on an assistantship appointment for at least three months during a semester receive single-student health insurance coverage, which includes a prescription drug plan at no charge.
Doctoral/PhD applicants will be considered for 1/2 research assistantship with a semester stipend of $10,436 and a 100% tuition scholarship. They will also receive a fee award (your fees will be reduced). GAs on an assistantship appointment for at least three months during a semester receive single-student health insurance coverage, which includes a prescription drug plan at no charge.
To learn more about the benefits of assistantships, please visit the Graduate College website.

Master of Science, Creative Component/Capstone Project (Path #2) Applicants

These applicants are not offered funding at the time of admission. These students will sometimes find assistantships. Students could find support through a number of different research labs and organizations outside of the HCI Graduate Program after they arrive on campus. Or they can apply for on-campus employment once they arrive.

MS, creative component/capstone (Path #2) students are responsible for tuition and fees.

Teaching Assistantships

The HCI Graduate Program can sometimes offer teaching assistantships, but these are not consistent from year to year due to HCI being a program and not a department. When they are available it will be communicated.
An email will be sent to current on-campus HCI students if they can apply for an open teaching assistantship. TAs are selected with the course instructor, DOGE, and VRAC director.
Teaching assistantships are not offered to newly admitted students.

Scholarships

If a student receives a graduate assistantship, they will receive a tuition scholarship.
Scholarships for International Students

Other Financial Support Resources and Information

On-campus jobs can be found in CyHire; learn more here.
International Students
- There are no federal loan or institutional loan options available for international students.
- International students can utilize private student loans for assistance covering academic-related expenses. Check out our International Preferred Lender listLinks to an external site. to review private loan options.