The True Cost & Value of a COE Education
Choosing to earn a degree with the University of Arizona College of Education is an investment in your future. We believe in transparency — here’s how tuition and fees add up, what extra costs to expect, your payment options, and the financial supports in place to help you succeed while managing costs.
Understanding Cost of Attendance (COA)
The Cost of Attendance is more than just tuition. It includes expenses you’ll likely incur during the academic year (fall + spring). Here’s a breakdown for incoming UA students:
| Item | Arizona Resident | Non-Resident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | ~$13,900 / year | ~$43,100 / year |
| Housing & Food | Varies depending on on/off campus | Same base estimates, but higher total cost when living on campus or off-campus away from family |
| Books, Materials, Supplies | ~$600 / year | ~$600 / year |
| Travel & Miscellaneous | ~$2,400 travel; ~$2,500 misc | ~$2,400 travel; ~$2,500 misc |
Note: These are estimates. Your actual costs will vary based on your major, housing choice, whether you live with family or independently, course load, etc.
Tuition & Fee Details
- Base Tuition & Fees: set by Arizona Board of Regents. See UA’s “Tuition & Fees” page for current rates.
- College / Program Fees & Differential Tuition: Some programs in COE have extra costs or differential tuition (especially for specialized courses) to cover materials, certifications, or other program specific expenses.
Tuition Payment Plan
To help spread costs, UA offers a Tuition Payment Plan:
- Splits tuition, mandatory fees, and program/college fees into three installments per semester.
- There is a non-refundable enrollment fee (e.g. ~$75 per semester).
- Must enroll before the payment deadline each semester.
- Payment Plan is not available for Winter/Summer or for study abroad charges.
Learn More About Tuition Payment Plan
Additional Cost Considerations
Some costs are often undervalued or overlooked. Here are things COE students commonly incur:
- Certification exams, test fees (e.g., screening, ASL proficiency, Literacy or ESL endorsement exams).
- Field experiences or student teaching costs: travel, uniforms or supplies, childcare if required.
- Technology costs: laptop, software, internet access.
- Living expenses: room, board, utilities, transportation.
Financial Supports & Value Enhancers
COE and UA offer many tools and supports to reduce out‑of‑pocket cost and improve your return:
- Merit & Need Scholarships / Grants: COE awards over $600,000 annually in scholarships.
- State & Federal Grants (Pell, Arizona Assurance / Arizona LEAP, etc.).
- Program‑specific aid & incentives (e.g. stipends for student teaching, teacher academies, loan forgiveness programs).
- Use of Scholarship Universe tool to find both UA & external scholarships.
Return on Investment – What You Get
Here are aspects that give you value:
- Well‑supported field placements, certification experiences, and professional readiness.
- Many COE graduates qualify for loan forgiveness or service‑based incentives, especially if working in high‑need schools or underserved areas.
- Strong alumni outcomes and demand in education fields (teachers, leadership, interpreter services, etc.).
- Scholarships + grants often reduce the net cost significantly.
Financial Planning Tips
- Start early: estimate total cost including extras, not just tuition.
- Use UA’s Net Price Calculator to forecast what you’ll actually pay after aid.
- File FAFSA as soon as possible; many supports depend on this.
- Review program‑specific cost documents (if applicable) for majors you’re considering.
- Enroll in the payment plan if needed.
- Meet scholarship deadlines and maintain eligibility (credits, GPA, etc.).