Graduate Costs and Funding Sources

Graduate Education at the SoA: Costs and Funding Sources

Tuition & Fees

UNC Charlotte is a public institution of the State of North Carolina, and tuition and fees vary according to the state residency status of a student. Mandates by the state grant North Carolina (NC) residents relatively modest tuition and fee rates. Meanwhile, the tuition and fee rates for non-residents of North Carolina are also relatively low compared to national averages, making the SoA one of the most affordable options for an accredited Master of Architecture (M.Arch.) degree program regardless of one’s residency status. Our Master of Science in Architecture (M.S. in Arch.) and Master of Urban Design (M.U.D.) programs are similarly affordable compared to other comparable programs.

A breakdown of current University tuition and fees may be found on UNC Charlotte’s tuition and fees chart. This chart can be difficult to read, so below is a breakdown of the tuition and fees associated with the M.Arch., M.S. in Arch., and M.U.D. degrees at the SoA for the 2025/2026 academic year (fall and spring semesters).

2025-26 Tuition and Fees for SoA Graduate Students
  • University tuition and fees for NC residents: $4,173.00 per semester
  • University tuition and fees for non-NC residents: $12,066.00 per semester
  • College of Arts + Architecture tuition increments for all students: $875.00 per semester
  • College of Arts + Architecture student fee for all students: $125.00 per semester
  • Emergency Medical Response (EXER 2290) for all students: $20.00
  • International Student Fee (Visa type F or J): $150.00 (international students only)
  • Matriculation Fee: $150.00 (one-time fee for new students in their first graduate-level semester at UNC Charlotte)

Students in the Advanced Standing (AS) and M.Arch. I (MI) tracks of the M.Arch. program and students in the M.U.D. program require an additional summer term. Note that University-funded scholarships do not cover summer tuition and fees. The current tuition and fee rates for Summer 2025 may be found on this chart, and below is a summary relevant to M.Arch and M.U.D. students:

Summer 2025 Tuition and Fees for M.Arch. AS Students
  • University tuition and fees for NC residents: $3,120.19 per summer
  • University tuition and fees for non-NC residents: $7,474.12 per summer
  • College of Arts + Architecture tuition surcharge for all students: $1050.00 per summer
  • College of Arts + Architecture student fee for all students: $105.00 per summer
  • Emergency Medical Response (EXER 2290) for all students: $20.00
  • International Student Fee (Visa type F or J): $50.00 (international students only)
  • Matriculation Fee: $150.00 (one-time fee for new students in their first graduate-level semester at UNC Charlotte)
Summer 2025 Tuition and Fees for M.Arch. MI and M.U.D. Students
  • University tuition and fees for residents: $2,101.50 per summer
  • University tuition and fees for non-residents: $5,004.12 per summer
  • College of Arts + Architecture tuition increments for all students: $630.00 per summer
  • College of Arts + Architecture student fee for all students: $63.00 per summer
  • Emergency Medical Response (EXER 2290) for all students: $20.00
  • International Student Fee (Visa type F or J): $50.00 (international students only)

Other Program Expenses

Pursuing a degree in Architecture (especially the M.Arch. and M.U.D. degrees) entails additional expenses, and prospective students should be aware of them before they begin their degree path. Below is a list of additional expenses, identified (when applicable) as especially important for certain degree programs.

Additional Expenses for SoA Students
  • Laptop capable of advanced computing (use this tech guide to meet the requirements for M.Arch. and M.U.D. students): ~$2,000-$3,000/one-time depending on options.
  • Adobe Creative Cloud: $19.99/month.
  • Rhino 3D modeling software, one-time fee after 90 day free trial: $195/one-time.
  • Supply kit for new M.Arch. and M.U.D. without studio experience; this kit may be purchased from a SoA–approved retailer; students in the AS and MII tracks of the M.Arch. program (or students with studio experience) may not require this kit: ~$250/one-time.
  • Studio Supplies: studios involve model-making and fabrication expenses, which vary semester-to-semester; on average, students in the M.Arch. and M.U.D. programs should expect to spend ~$300/semester.
  • Printing Costs: studios involve printing expenses, which vary semester-to-semester; on average, students in the M.Arch. and M.U.D. programs should expect to spend ~$300/semester.
  • Book Expenses: most SoA courses do not use textbooks; however, students may be asked to purchase reading materials for some courses: ~$150/year.
  • Field Trips: some topical studios in the M.Arch. program include field trips; students should expect to attend 1 such trip during their education: ~$750-$1,000/one-time.
  • Program-required Study Abroad: M.U.D. students are required to study abroad during their summer term; costs of that semester vary year-to-year: ~$7,000/one-time (includes 6-credits of tuition).
  • Optional Study Abroad: M.Arch. students with certain qualifications may be eligible to pursue spring break, summer, and even semester-long study abroad programs operated by the SoA; these programs are not required for M.Arch. students, but they supplement the learning experience of the program: ~$2,000-$8,000/one-time (some study abroad programs earn course credits, which can be economically beneficial to students, saving them regular tuition and fees).
  • Cost of living expenses (housing and food) may be calculated using the UNC Charlotte’s Estimating Costs website.

Total Degree Expenses for M.Arch. Program

Total Degree Expenses for M.Arch. AS Track

Total cost of education: ~$16,750 ($16,950 for international students):

  • Tuition and fees (one summer + one academic year): $14,561.19 (NC resident)
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (12 months): $240
  • Studio Supplies: ~$900
  • Printing Costs: ~$900
  • Books: ~$150
  • International Student Fee (Visa type F or J): $350.00 (international students only)
  • Note: because all students in the AS track are required to have graduated with a Bachelors of Arts from UNC Charlotte, they more-than-likely qualify for NC residency, making non-resident tuition and fees non-applicable to students in this track.
  • Total excludes field trips (not taken by AS students) and optional study abroad. 
  • Cost of living expenses (not included in these estimates) may be calculated using the UNC Charlotte’s Estimating Costs website.
Total Degree Expenses for M.Arch. MII Track

Total cost of education (NC resident): ~$24,707 ($25,307 for international students)
Total cost of education (non-NC resident): ~$57,579 ($58,179 for international students)

  • Tuition and fees (two academic years): $21,092 (NC resident) / $52,664 (non-NC resident)
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (21 months): $420
  • Studio Supplies: ~$1500
  • Printing Costs: ~$1500
  • Books: ~$300
  • Fieldtrip: ~$1000
  • Rhino 3D modeling software: $195
  • International Student Fee (Visa type F or J): $600.00 (international students only)
  • Note: students’ NC residency status may change during their course of study.
  • Totals exclude optional field trips and study abroad. 
  • Cost of living expenses (not included in these estimates) may be calculated using the UNC Charlotte’s Estimating Costs website.
Total Degree Expenses for M.Arch. MI Track

Total cost of education (NC resident): ~$43,087 ($44,037 for international students)
Total cost of education (non-NC resident): ~$94,349 ($95,749 for international students)

  • Tuition and fees (three academic years + one summer): $34,292 (NC resident) / $84,554 (non-NC resident) 50262
  • Laptop: ~$2,500
  • Supply kit: ~$250
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (30 months): $600
  • Studio Supplies: ~$2400
  • Books: ~$450
  • Fieldtrip: ~$1000
  • Printing Costs: ~$2400
  • Rhino 3D modeling software: $195
  • International Student Fee (Visa type F or J): $950.00 (international students only)
  • Note: students’ NC residency status may change during their course of study. 5717.12
  • Totals exclude optional field trips and study abroad. 
  • Cost of living expenses (not included in these estimates) may be calculated using the UNC Charlotte’s Estimating Costs website.

Financial Aid

Comprehensive information on financial aid opportunities may be found on the UNC Charlotte’s NinerCental Financial Aid and Loans website. This site includes everything from the basics of qualifying and applying for financial aid, to cost-of-living calculators to help students to plan their budgets. This site also includes funding resources provided by the University that are not administered by the SoA.

SoA Funding Sources

The David R. Ravin School of Architecture and the UNC Charlotte Graduate School aim to support as many of our graduate students as possible through a combination of research and teaching assistantships, tuition assistance, stipends, and scholarships.

There are a number of merit-based awards that all accepted applicants are assessed for during the admission process. No separate application is necessary. These are awarded to the most promising new graduate students. For M.Arch. applicants with a design background, awards are based on prior academic and professional experience as well as skills and achievements in architecture. For M.Arch. applicants with non-design backgrounds, awards are based on academic achievement and promise.

Tuition Awards

  • Graduate Assistant Support Plan (GASP): These awards (available to resident and non-resident students) cover fall and spring semester tuition for the duration of an academic program, from 1 to 3 years (fees and increments not included). Each award also includes health insurance and a yearly stipend of $18,500. Students receiving these awards are tasked with research activities under the supervision of a faculty member or within one of the SoA’s research labs.
  • Research/Teaching Assistant Support for Master of Science and Master of Urban Design Students: These awards (available to resident and non-resident students) provide a stipend of $14,250 per year. Students receiving these awards are tasked with research activities and/or teaching assistantships under the supervision of a faculty member or within one of the SoA’s research labs. For students who serve as teaching assistants, these awards, under Master’s TA Resident Tuition (MTART) Awards program, also cover the equivalent of resident tuition. Students pursuing the M.Arch. degree are ineligible for these awards unless they are enrolled in one of the SoA’s qualifying dual degree programs. 

Assistantships

  • Research Assistantships: A limited number of research assistant stipends are offered to new and/or continuing students who do not receive one of the above tuition awards. These awards are valued at $2,000 or $4,000 per semester (comparable to $4,000 or $8,000 per year), depending on the number of hours-per-week of the position. Students receiving these awards are tasked with research activities under the supervision of a faculty member or within one of the SoA’s research labs.
  • Teaching Assistantships: A limited number of research assistant stipends are offered to new and/or continuing students who do not receive one of the above tuition awards and who are qualified to serve as teaching assistants. The typical amount is $2,100 per course/semester. Responsibilities include class administrative duties, mentoring and grading undergraduate students, and laboratory assistance.

Scholarships

School of Architecture Scholarships: There are also endowed School of Architecture scholarships that any matriculated student may apply for in the fall semesters of their academic careers. These competitive awards range from $1000 to $2500 and are applied to spring tuition. For more information, see the list of SoA Scholarship Opportunities

Other Funding Sources