Cost of Attendance

2025 – 2026 Academic Year

Tuition	$72,438
Student Activity Fee	$390
New Student Matriculation Free	$300
Green Fund (optional)*	$30
Food and Housing	$20,668
*Books and Supplies / Personal Expenses	$2,750
TOTAL:	$96,576 (frosh) / $96,276 (continuing students)
**Direct Loan Origination Fees	$44

*Indirect Expenses: While estimates for books & supplies and personal expenses are included in the cost of attendance budget, these costs are not billed by Wesleyan. Travel is also an indirect expense that is included in a student’s cost of attendance; however, the cost can vary from student to student.

All students will have an optional Green Fund Fee of $30/year to fund sustainability projects on campus. (Opt-out link available in WesPortal through the last day of drop/add each semester)

Wesleyan is a residential institution. All Wesleyan undergraduates are required to live in University housing and participate in a University meal plan. All students can upgrade to an enhanced meal plan at an additional cost. Optional student health insurance is also available through an outside agency for an additional fee (all students must have health insurance).

**If the student requests Federal Direct Loans, an additional $44 origination fee will be added to the Cost of Attendance. For all Federal Direct Loans disbursed on or after October 1, 2020, and before October 1, 2025, an origination fee of 1.057% will be assessed by the Department of Education. This origination fee is subtracted from your total loan amount. As such, the amount that disburses to your Student Account will be slightly less than the amount of Direct Loan requested. The origination fee included in your Cost of Attendance is based on the average Direct Loan origination fee for students enrolled at Wesleyan.

Family Contribution

First Year Applicant Requirements

The family contribution is based on Wesleyan’s evaluation of the financial circumstances of the family. Wesleyan University utilizes the College Board’s Institutional Methodology analysis in determining the financial need for institutional funding. In many cases, this evaluation can result in a different Expected Family Contribution than the Federal Methodology analysis in the determination of financial need for federal funding.

Once the calculated family contribution is determined, this figure is subtracted from the total cost of attendance to determine a student's need. Financial need ordinarily is met through a combination of grants and work. All grants are credited directly to the student's account to offset tuition, food and housing, and other direct charges on the account. Students and parents should refer to their award notification to assist them with determining the amount that will need to be paid to Wesleyan directly.

Expected Parental and Student Contribution

Includes an income and an asset component
Federal Aid calculated from FAFSA
Institutional Aid calculated from CSS Profile and FAFSA
Review of tax returns and accompanying documents
Student Contribution:
- Determined in the same way as Parental Contribution
- Minimum contribution: $2,000* (plus contribution from student assets, if any)
  *Student Contribution is lower for high need students

Parental Contribution

The parental contribution is calculated from information submitted during the financial aid application process. This amount represents Wesleyan’s evaluation of the parents’ capacity to absorb a portion of the cost of education. Should a family seek additional options for financing the family contribution, please look at the Types of Aid offered.

Who is a parent?

Wesleyan Aid: Parent = biological or adoptive parents
Federal Aid: Parent = biological or adoptive parents (if divorced/separated = parent who provided the most financial support during the last 12 months).

Non-Custodial Parent (NCP) Waiver Request

When whereabouts of NCP are unknown and/or contacting NCP would be harmful to student
Form available on College Board and Wesleyan's website: Non-Custodial Parent (NCP) Waiver Request

Student Contribution

Students receiving financial aid are expected to contribute toward their educational expenses. The student contribution is based on a combination of the summer earnings expectation and a contribution from the student’s savings or investments, if any. The student contribution is the amount of money you are expected to have at the beginning of the academic year to assist with your educational expenses. Ordinarily, these personal funds are applied toward the purchase of your books and supplies, as well as personal expenses you are expected to incur throughout the academic year.

The minimum student contribution from summer earnings varies by year:

$2,000 for first year
$2,200 each year thereafter

Reduced Student Contribution from Income

To make a Wesleyan education more affordable, Wesleyan reduces the minimum student contribution from summer earnings for students who demonstrate the highest financial need. The reduced student contribution is based on the calculated parental contribution.

Students may request loan funding if they are unable to meet the minimum student income contribution. Students should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine their eligibility for loan funds.

Student Contribution from Assets

Students who have assets such as savings or investments are expected to contribute a portion annually toward educational expenses. We expect students and families to apportion student assets over the four years.

Consideration of Student Contributions: Reduced Student Contribution (SC) Policy

Standard Level:
- Student Contribution = $2,000 plus contribution from student assets (if any)
If Parent Contribution is below $10,000:
- Student contribution = $1,200 plus contribution from student assets (if any)
Cost of Attendance minus Expected Family Contribution = Financial Need

Students Entering Academic Year 2025-2026: Zero-Student Contribution (SC) Policy

Students whose parents contribute $7,000 or less to Wesleyan will have their $1,200 Student Contribution from income (SC) replaced with additional grant funding for first year only.
Students whose parents contribute $7,000 or less to Wesleyan and have student assets less than $20,000 will have their Student Contribution from Assets (SCA) replaced with additional grant funding for first year only.

Our Promise

We pledge to meet 100% of a student’s demonstrated financial need—without loans—for all who are eligible for need-based financial aid, regardless of family income.

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Estimators and Calculators

Estimate how much you and your family will need to contribute for one year at Wesleyan. Wesleyan's Net Price Calculator is designed in partnership with the College Board and is intended to give families an early indication of how much and what types of financial aid they might qualify for should the student attend Wesleyan.

MyinTuition Quick Cost Estimator

Wesleyan’s Net Price Calculator

Financial Aid for Current Students

If you are a current Wesleyan student and would like to apply for financial aid for the first time, you must email the Financial Aid Office from your Wesleyan email address to advise of this change.

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