Tuition and Financial Aid for DigiPen’s Online Master’s Programs
DigiPen Institute of Technology’s online master’s programs are designed to provide advanced technical training in areas such as artificial intelligence and game development while maintaining flexibility for working professionals.
2026-27 Cost of Attendance
Graduate (Part-Time) — MS in Artificial Intelligence and MS in Game Design Degree Programs (30 Credits)
This Cost of Attendance is based on the standard recommended program progression of six credits each semester and off campus living expenses. Direct costs are billed by DigiPen to the student. Indirect costs are calculated averages. They are not billed by the school and are associated with the cost of attending college.
| Costs | Fall Semester (6 credits) | Spring Semester (6 credits) | Summer Semester (6 credits) | Annual Total for Three Semesters |
Direct Costs to DigiPen | ||||
| Tuition* | $9,996 | $9,996 | $9,996 | $29,988 |
| Administrative Fee** | $50 | $50 | $50 | $150 |
Indirect Costs | ||||
| Living Expenses, Housing, and Food | $10,776 | $10,776 | $10,776 | $32,328 |
| Books and Supplies | $248 | $248 | $248 | $744 |
| Laptop Computer*** | $1,668 | $0 | $0 | $1,668 |
| Loan Fees | $96 | $96 | $96 | $288 |
| Transportation | $1,232 | $1,232 | $1,232 | $3,696 |
| Personal Expenses | $872 | $872 | $872 | $2,616 |
Cost of Attendance | ||||
| Total | $24,938 | $23,270 | $23,270 | $71,478 |
*Tuition of $1,666 per credit reflects the current academic year and may change in future terms.
**Additional university fees may apply depending on enrollment status and program participation.
***Laptop is budgeted as a one-time expense during the first semester only.
Paying for Your Degree
Many graduate students combine multiple funding sources to support their education. Several options may help make graduate study more accessible.
Funding options may include:
- Federal Financial Aid
- Employer tuition assistance programs
- Monthly payment plans
- External scholarships and private funding
- Veteran’s Education Benefits — Coming Soon
- Private education loans
Prospective students are encouraged to explore these options early in the admissions process.
Learn more about possible funding options
Federal Financial Aid
Federal financial aid eligibility includes:
- File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Be a citizen of the United States or an eligible non-citizen
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Have a valid Social Security Number
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), which includes maintaining a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and completing 67% attempted credits
- Enroll at least as a half-time student in an eligible degree program for Direct Loan Program funds
- Not owe a repayment on a grant or be in default on a federal student loan
- Be making progress in a degree program
Employer Tuition Assistance
- Reimbursement policies
- Eligibility requirements
- Documentation needed for approval
Payment Plans
- Manage educational expenses more predictably
- Reduce the need for additional borrowing
- Align tuition payments with personal financial planning
Scholarships and External Funding
- Professional associations
- Industry organizations
- Nonprofit foundations
- Employer-sponsored programs
Veteran’s Education Benefits
Private Education Loans
Private education loans should be considered only after exhausting all other sources of funding, including federal loans available through the FAFSA. Students may qualify for federal loans or other assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Title IV loan programs often provide more favorable terms and conditions than private education loans.
To help students research private loan options, DigiPen provides access to the Elm Select loan comparison tool. The lenders included in this historical list have either been used by DigiPen students in recent years or are new additional lending options and offer competitive loan products, strong customer service, and streamlined online application processing. These lenders also work electronically with DigiPen to help ensure efficient loan certification, disbursement, and refund processing.
Additional information about private education loans is available through the Office of Financial Aid website.
Financial Aid Policy Information
View the Financial Aid Handbook for DigiPen Online students for detailed financial aid information.
Please visit the Office of Financial Aid Policy Information page to review Student Disclosures, Consumer Information, Student Rights and Responsibilities and various Financial Aid Policies.
DigiPen Office of Financial Aid
The Office of Financial Aid is available to help students review their funding options and understand the resources available to support their education.
Speak With an Admissions Outreach Advisor
Choosing how to finance graduate education is an important step in the admissions process.
Admissions outreach advisors can help you:
- Understand tuition and program costs
- Explore potential funding options
- Navigate the application process
Online Technology Degree Programs for Builders and Innovators
Advance your career with online master’s programs designed to help you build real systems, develop practical skills, and create portfolio-ready work.
DigiPen Institute of Technology offers online technology degrees built for developers, engineers, and technical creators who want more than theory. Our graduate programs emphasize applied learning, production-style development, and real-world problem solving.
Whether you’re building AI systems or developing interactive game experiences, you’ll gain hands-on experience and graduate with demonstrable work that supports your next career move.
Build Real Systems. Develop Real Skills.
This will only take a moment