Academic Year 2026–27

These costs apply to the Fall ’26 and Spring ’27 semesters.

Tuition and Fees

These direct costs apply to all undergraduate residential and commuter students enrolled in the University College, College for Women, Program for the Exceptionally Gifted, or the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership.

	Residential Students Semesterly Cost	Commuter Students Semesterly Cost
Tuition	$17,977	$17,977
Technology and credentialing fee	$87.50	$87.50
Student organization fee	$137.50	$137.50
On-Campus Standard Double Room	$3,773	—
Meal Plan*	$2,420	$437
Total Est. Direct Cost (Billed Expense)	$24,396/semester	$18,639/semester

*The cost for residential students assumes an unlimited meal plan. The cost for commuter students assumes the required Block 25 meal plan (opt out available).

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That “sticker price” can be intimidating. But very few MBU students pay full tuition. MBU works with students to ensure that relevant coursework, as well as work and life experiences, count toward your degree, minimizing tuition costs. That’s why US News & World Report ranked MBU as a best value school in the south, and one of the top schools in the U.S. for boosting social mobility. 

Indirect Costs

Students should also anticipate additional indirect costs such as books, supplies, travel, recreation, and personal items. These expenses are not billed by MBU but are considered when determining financial aid awards. 

Semester estimates for these expenses are included below but vary from student to student:

	Residential Students	Commuter Students
Books and supplies	$472	$472
Transportation	$273	$768
Personal expenses	$1,260	$1,260
Loan fees (if federal loans are borrowed)	$44	$44
Living off-campus	—	$6,426*
Total Est. Indirect Costs	$2,049/semester	$8,970/semester

*Undergraduate commuter students living at home who do not purchase off-campus housing for the duration of the program are estimated to pay $960 a semester in room/board.

2025–26 May Term

May Term at Mary Baldwin is a unique opportunity to dive into a single course over three focused weeks in May, featuring in-person, study abroad, and online options. Beginning in 2026, May Term courses are part of MBU’s summer term, and will begin after Commencement.

May Term courses are billed separately on a per-credit basis at $460/credit hour. This tuition cost for May Term aligns with the standard billing for all summer courses at MBU.