Understanding Your Costs
One of the most important steps in planning your education is understanding what it will actually cost, not just tuition, but the full picture. This section breaks down every cost-related component of attending Pacific Oaks College, from what you will be billed directly to the everyday living expenses that factor into your financial aid eligibility. Take some time to explore each area below. The clearer your picture of costs, the more confidently you can plan, borrow wisely, and make the most of the aid available to you.
If you have questions at any point, our financial aid team is here to help.
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Cost of Attendance
Your Cost of Attendance (COA) is the federally defined estimate of what it costs to attend Pacific Oaks College for one academic year. It includes both what you are billed by the college, and the living expenses you will manage on your own. Your COA is the number used to determine how much financial aid you are eligible to receive. You cannot receive more aid than your total COA, which makes it one of the most important figures to understand as you plan your finances.
COA estimates are provided for each program and vary depending on your entry point or enrollment status.
View Cost of Attendance
Tuition & Fees
Tuition and fees are the direct costs billed to you by Pacific Oaks College each semester. Tuition rates vary by degree level and program. Fees are charged each semester and support a wide range of student services. Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice; however, students will not be charged retroactively for increases for coursework already completed or in progress.
View Tuition & Fees
Special Rates
The Chicago School offers reduced tuition rates for students who qualify through specific programs or affiliations. These include discounts for military-connected students, and students or employees of institutions with active memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with Pacific Oaks College. Special rates cannot be combined with other institutional scholarships or special tuition rates.
If you think you may qualify for a special rate, or if you're not sure, this section will help you identify which programs apply to your situation and how to confirm your eligibility. In most cases, no separate application is required; eligibility is assessed automatically at the time of admission.
Military and Veterans — Learn More
MOUs / Partnerships — Learn More
Indirect Costs
Indirect costs are the day-to-day living expenses you will incur while enrolled at Pacific Oaks College that are not billed directly by the college. This includes things like housing, food, transportation, books, and supplies, and personal expenses. While these costs don't appear on your student account, they are a real and significant part of what it costs to be a student, and they are included in your Cost of Attendance because they affect your financial aid eligibility.
Understanding your indirect costs helps you budget more accurately and ensures you are borrowing the right amount — not too much, not too little. Estimates are provided by program and are based on living in the Pasadena area for typical student expenses. Your actual costs may vary.
Cost Calculators
Not sure what your out-of-pocket costs will actually look like after financial aid? Our cost calculator lets you build a personalized estimate based on your program, enrollment status, and expected aid, so you can see a realistic picture of what you will need to plan for before you commit to borrowing or enrollment decisions.
It only takes a few minutes, and it is one of the most useful tools available to you as you weigh your options. We recommend using it alongside your financial aid notification for the clearest picture of your net costs.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If you are new to thinking through education costs, a good first step is reviewing your Cost of Attendance for your program, then looking at your Tuition & Fees schedule to understand what you will be billed each term. From there, the cost calculator can help you see how financial aid closes the gap. And if you have questions at any point, our financial aid team is always available to help you make sense of the numbers.