Program Costs
The overall costs consist primarily of three things: tuition, housing and food. Each of these are separate.ÌýTuition and housing costs are below. Students are responsible for their own meals and food. Students are also responsible for their transportation to Washington, D.C. to attend the program.Ìý
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Tuition costs
Tuition costs are for the internship and class credits a student receives for students participating in CMDI in D.C. These costs are roughly in line with CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó main campus tuition and are dependent on the student status (whether they are in-state or out-of-state). Please note that this is separate from the housing costs.
| Semester | Colorado residents | Nonresidents | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | $8,850 | $21,100 | Ìý Ìý15 |
| Summer 2026 | $6,990 | $14,900 | Ìý Ìý 9 |
| Fall 2026 | $9500 | $22,500 | Ìý Ìý15 |
| Spring 2027 | $9500 | $22,500 | Ìý Ìý15 |
| Summer 2027 | $7150 | $15,300 | Ìý Ìý 9 |
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Though there may be a rare exception, all financial aid you’re receiving toward your CU degree should be applied to this program. You are strongly encouraged to check with the Office of Financial Aid, however, as some awards may exclude this program.Ìý
Students are required to submit a $700 deposit once they have been accepted into the program. The deposit allows a student to begin the process of enrollment for the internship and course credits. Please see the Credits tab for the related credits.
A reminder about cost of attendance:ÌýTuition is just one part of the overall cost to attend CMDI in D.C. The full cost of attendance includes separate costs such as housing, food, personal expenses, transportation and medical insurance. Students are responsible for such costs, as well transportation to and from Washington, D.C.Ìý
Housing fees and other costs
Housing, which is a separate cost, is arranged by the Washington Media Institute. Students receive a bill directly from WMI that must be paid in full to WMI one month before the start of the program. Housing payments that are not received by the due date will be billed to your tuition account and will be assessed an additional 8.7% processing fee.Ìý
To aid in planning, housing costs will be roughly $8,500 in the upcoming Fall and Spring semesters, and an estimated $7,500 in the Summer of 2027. Housing prices are subject to slight fluctuations but may decrease as well. For the latest on housing costs, Ìýlocation and amenities, please contact us.
During the program, students live in furnished corporate apartments with modern amenities located in safe, lively neighborhoods. Housing costs vary slightly but tend to be in line with the cost of living on the CU 91ÃÛÌÒ¸ó campus. More about housingÌý→ Please note that housing is a pre-paid non-refundable cost and is necessary to secure student housing.
To assist in planning, the following is an fairly close estimated combined total cost for 2026 Fall term for housing and tuition costs. Food and personal expenses are not included here, as this is individual-dependent on how much is spent.Ìý
| Estimated Fall 2026 Costs | Colorado residents | Nonresidents |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (internship and course credits) | $9,500 | $22,500 |
| HousingÌý | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Total | $18,000 | $31,000 |
FOOD AND PERSONAL EXPENSES
Students are responsible for other costs associated with their day-to-day experiences in Washington, including food. The furnished apartments include kitchens, but students are responsible for the costs of their own meals. The cost of food is highly variable based on one's lifestyle, but a range of prices are accessible around differing budgets. Students are also responsible for transportation to and from D.C.ÌýOther, smaller examples of out-of-pocket costs to students may include travel to internships, admission to museums (many are free) and other cultural landmarks, nightlife, and entertainment.