Due to the flexible nature of SDM’s programs, student costs for tuition and fees vary.
Tuition for the forthcoming academic year is set each April in consultation with the MIT Corporation based on a recommendation from Academic Council.
Master’s Program
| High (course and/or thesis units totaling more than 36) | $33,300 per term |
| Medium (course and/or thesis units totaling 16 to 36) | $22,200 per term |
| Low (core only or course and thesis units totaling up to 15) | $13,600 per term |
| Off-campus internship tuition | $695 per unit |
| Student Life Fee (on-campus and local commuter students) | $210 per term |
MIT sets the rates for internship tuition and the student life fee.
These rates are effective from 6/1/2025 to 5/31/2026.
Your total cost per year will vary depending on how many terms (semesters) you take to complete the degree and the number of units you take each semester. MIT charges based on actual units enrolled. SDM strives to keep the cost of tuition balanced for the complete degree for parity between full-time and part-time students. More information on the total units (credits) required for graduation can be found on our curriculum pages.
Example costs:
| Time to completion | Approximate total cost of degree | |
| 16 months | Two high-unit terms, one medium-unit term | $88,800 |
| 21 months on campus | Four medium-unit terms | $88,800 |
| First year remote, second year on campus | Two low-unit terms, one medium-unit term, one high-unit term | $82,700 |
| 12 months (by permission only) | Two high-unit terms, summer medium-unit term | $88,800 |
For general information on tuition and fees related to registration, please visit the MIT Registrar’s website.
Health Insurance
Healthcare at MIT Health is included in the cost of tuition and covers most services at MIT Health. State and federal law requires all students to have comprehensive health insurace, so all students are also automatically enrolled in the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan. If you have private insurance (for example, through your employer) which meets these same requirements, you may choose to waive the cost of the MIT Student Health Insurance Plan. Learn more about MIT Student Health Insurance Plan rates, coverage, and how to waive the plan.
Graduate Certificate Program
| Graduate Certificate Fall & Spring (each) | $13,200 per term |
| Graduate Certificate Summer (Capstone) | $3,300 per term |
Graduate certificate students may also make a single upfront payment of $29,700 for the entire program, including both fall and spring terms and the summer capstone term.
These rates are effective from 9/1/2024 to 8/31/2025.
| Graduate Certificate Fall & Spring (each) | $13,600 per term |
| Graduate Certificate Summer (Capstone) | $3,400 per term |
Graduate certificate students may also make a single upfront payment of $30,600 for the entire program, including both fall and spring terms and the summer capstone term.
These rates are effective from 9/1/2025 to 8/31/2026.
Associated Costs
In addition to tuition, students will have costs associated with either on-campus or distance options. Program-related costs can be broken down into three categories:
- Costs associated with attending sessions on the MIT campus, including travel, lodging (for distance students) and meals
- General housing costs as needed
- Connection costs related to distance learning
MIT has estimated the following costs for the 2025-2026 academic year for students taking the on-campus option. Please note that these are estimates and will vary depending on housing (on-campus or off-campus), courses taken, etc. SDM does not have a required summer term, but if you plan to stay in the Cambridge area over the summer the 12-month cost may apply.
| Expense | 9-month cost | 12-month cost |
| Fees | $420 | $420 |
| Health insurance | $4,572 | $4,572 |
| Housing | $16,200 | $21,600 |
| Food | $7,470 | $9,960 |
| Books, course materials, supplies & equipment | $1,126 | $1,500 |
| Personal | $7,542 | $10,056 |
| Transportation | $2,754 | $3,672 |
| Total estimated non-tuition costs | $40,084 | $51,780 |
For more detailed information regarding these categories, including the explanation of each category, please visit the SFS website.
Financing Your Education
SDM does not have designated scholarships or fellowships for students in the master’s degree program or graduate certificate program. Students may explore the following options to assist in financing their education. These options are not overseen by SDM and may have further restrictions or qualifications not listed here.
Teaching or Research Assistantships
Some master’s degree students are able to secure funding through a teaching or research assistantship (TA/RA) during their time in the program.
TA and RA opportunities vary widely and are dependent upon the funding from the sponsoring faculty; however, they typically cover a large portion of the tuition and include a living stipend.
Assistantships are very difficult to secure for the first semester and are not guaranteed at any point in the course of study. There are more options once you are on campus. Some SDM students are able to secure TA or RA appointments beginning in their second semester. These positions are highly competitive and many departments give preference to their own graduate students.
For more information on TA and RA appointments, please visit the Student Financial Services website and the Office of Graduate Education website.
Competitive Fellowships
There are fellowships at MIT funded by donors, corporations, and outside entities. These fellowships are open competitively to all graduate students at the Institute. SDM students may apply for these opportunities if they meet the criteria of the individual fellowships. For more information, please visit the SFS website and the OGE Fellowships website.
Loans
Some graduate students may need loans to finance part or all of the cost of their education at MIT. For information about loans and the application process, please visit the SFS website.
Additional Information
Students may audit subjects as a listener for self-enrichment. These courses do not count toward degree requirements. SDM has set the following limits of units that may be taken as a listener:
High tuition: 36 units maximum
Medium tuition: 24 units maximum
Low tuition: 15 units maximum
For more information on listener status, please visit the MIT Registrar’s Office website.
SDM students who complete their thesis early or withdraw during the term may qualify for tuition proration.
For additional information or to inquire about specific tuition situations, please use our contact form.
Last updated July 10, 2025.