Understanding Roger Williams University's Tuition and Fees
Navigating the costs associated with higher education is a crucial step for students and their families. Roger Williams University (RWU) offers a variety of undergraduate programs and it's essential to understand the tuition, fees, and other expenses involved. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the costs associated with attending RWU, including tuition rates, room and board, health insurance, and other potential fees. Understanding these costs can help students and families plan ahead and find appropriate financial support.
Tuition and Fees for Academic Year 2025-2026
RWU's tuition structure varies depending on the program of study. For the academic year 2025-2026, the standard per-credit tuition rate is $1,902. However, students in engineering or architecture programs face different rates. The per-credit tuition rate for engineering students is $1,982, while architecture students pay $2,125 per credit.
Standard Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
For full-time undergraduate day students taking 12-19 credits, the standard tuition for a term is $22,824, totaling $45,648 for the year. Additionally, there is an activity fee of $165 per term, or $330 annually. Therefore, the total tuition and fees amount to $22,989 per term and $45,978 per year.
Engineering Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
Engineering students have a slightly higher tuition rate. The tuition for a term is $23,784, with an annual cost of $47,568. The activity fee remains the same at $165 per term or $330 per year, bringing the total tuition and fees to $23,949 per term and $47,898 annually.
Architecture Undergraduate Tuition and Fees
Architecture students face the highest tuition rates among undergraduate programs. Their tuition is $25,500 per term, totaling $51,000 per year. Including the activity fee of $165 per term ($330 annually), the total tuition and fees for architecture students are $25,665 per term and $51,330 per year.
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Room and Board
In addition to tuition and fees, students need to factor in the cost of room and board. RWU offers various housing options and meal plans, each with its own cost structure.
Room Rates
A double room costs $4,861 per term, amounting to $9,722 per year. However, housing rates vary depending on the building and room occupancy. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the following rates apply:
- Traditional Residence Halls (Cedar, Maple, Stonewall, Willow): Double rooms are $4,861 per term ($9,722 per year), while single rooms are $5,884 per term ($11,768 per year).
- Bayside Apartments: Shared rooms in 2, 3, 4-6 person apartments are $6,611 per term ($13,222 per year). Private rooms in 5-person apartments are $7,250 per term ($14,500 per year). Private apartments are $7,647 per term ($15,294 per year).
- Almeida Apartments: Shared rooms in 3-person apartments and townhouses are $6,165 or $6,611 per term ($12,330 or $13,222 per year). Single rooms in 3-person townhouses are $7,250 per term ($14,500 per year). Double rooms in 4-person apartments vary in price ($6,165 or $6,611 per term). Double rooms in 2-person flats are $6,611 per term ($13,222 per year).
- North Campus: Single rooms in suites are $6,099 per term ($12,198 per year), while double rooms are $5,069 per term ($10,138 per year). Private apartments are $7,647 per term ($15,294 per year). Shared rooms in 3-person apartments are $6,691 per term ($13,382 per year).
Meal Plans
RWU requires full meal plans for students living in traditional residence halls and North Campus suites. All meal plans are optional for students in Almeida, Bayside, North Campus apartments, and commuter students. A laundry fee of $50 per term ($100 per year) is also included.
The university offers several meal plan options. The 200 Block and 230 Block meal plans both cost $3,967 per term ($7,934 per year). The 225 Block meal plan costs $4,080 per term ($8,160 per year). The 125 Block Plus meal plan costs $2 per term.
Combining a double room with a standard meal plan brings the total room and meals cost to $8,878 per term and $17,756 per year.
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Total Charges
Adding tuition, fees, room, and board together provides a comprehensive view of the costs associated with attending RWU. For a standard undergraduate student living in a double room with a standard meal plan, the total charges amount to $31,867 per term and $63,734 per year. For engineering students, the total is $32,827 per term and $65,654 per year. Architecture students face the highest total charges at $34,543 per term and $69,086 per year.
Health Insurance
All full-time undergraduate students, both residential and commuter, and all international students must have adequate health insurance coverage. Students covered by an existing health insurance plan may waive the university-sponsored student health insurance. To waive the spring ONLY insurance fee, submit proof of adequate coverage no later than January 30, 2026. For those who do not waive, the 2025-2026 health insurance rates are $3,418 per year or $1,920 for spring only coverage.
Additional Fees
It is important to note that the charges listed above are estimates based on standard tuition, fees, room, and board for full-time students in an undergraduate day program. Additional fees may apply, including but not limited to lab fees, parking fees, credit overage fees, and single room fees.
Supplemental Fees for 2025-2026
RWU also charges several supplemental fees for specific services and situations:
- Architectural Studio for non-architecture students: $2,437 per semester
- Audit Charge: $528 per course
- Enrollment Fee (first-year students only): $200
- Laboratory Fee: $275 per course
- Late Payment Fee: $325 per semester
- Music Lab/Instrument and/or Voice Lessons (on-campus): $727*
- Music Lab/Instrument and/or Voice Lessons (off-campus): $967**
- Parking Permit (annually): $150
- Room Security Deposit (annually): $350
*These fees are waived for declared Music majors who demonstrate a satisfactory rate of progress in the Music program.
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** The RWU portion of these fees is waived for declared Music majors who demonstrate a satisfactory rate of progress in the Music program. All students must pay the off-campus fee of $240.
Cost of Attendance (COA)
The cost of attendance (COA) is an estimate of what it costs a typical student to attend RWU for one academic year. It includes both direct (billed) and indirect (estimated) costs. The COA serves two purposes: to give an estimate of the cost to attend RWU for one year and to set a limit on the amount of financial aid you can receive during the academic year.
Direct Costs
Direct costs are those that appear on a student's bill:
- Tuition and Fees: As mentioned earlier, these figures reflect the cost of tuition and fees for a student taking 12-19 credits during each of the fall and spring semesters.
- Housing and Food (Resident): This is the cost of a double-occupancy residence hall on campus and the 230-block meal plan.
Indirect Costs
Indirect costs do not appear on student accounts and vary based on the individual student. These costs include:
- Books and Supplies: An estimate of the cost of books and supplies for a typical student for the entire academic year.
- Average Loan Fees: The average fee for students who borrow Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans.
- Transportation: An estimate of the cost for transportation needed to commute to and from campus, a job or internship, or travel home on scheduled breaks.
- Miscellaneous: Estimated costs incurred for personal expenses during the academic year, including clothing, laundry, toiletries, cell phone expenses, entertainment, local transportation, and other incidentals.
- Housing and Food (Commuter/Off-Campus): An allowance for housing expenses (household operations, supplies, furnishings, and equipment) and utilities (electric, water, cable, internet, and phone). Food estimates are based on the Cost of Food at Home Data published by the United States Department of Agriculture, adjusted for regional Cost of Living Index and inflation.
Additional Indirect Costs
Students may also need to consider additional indirect costs such as dependent care, licensures and certifications (for certain academic programs), and computer purchases. The cost of a computer is not automatically included in the cost of attendance, but students can contact the Student Financial Aid office to request a cost of attendance adjustment to include the one-time purchase of a reasonably priced computer.
Standard Direct and Indirect Costs for 2026-2027
For the academic year 2026-2027, RWU provides a breakdown of standard direct and indirect costs for resident, commuter, and off-campus students.
Standard Direct Costs
| Direct Costs | Resident | Commuter | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Tuition | $47,472 | $47,472 | $47,472 |
| Student Activity Fee | $400 | $400 | $400 |
| Housing (Standard Double) | $9,964 | N/A | N/A |
| Food | $8,568 | N/A | N/A |
| Laundry Fee | $100 | N/A | N/A |
| Total Direct Costs | $66,504 | $47,872 | $47,872 |
Standard Indirect Costs
| Indirect Costs | Resident | Commuter | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Average Loan Fees | $70 | $70 | $70 |
| Transportation | $1,600 | $2,498 | $2,498 |
| Miscellaneous | $2,100 | $340 | $470 |
| Housing | N/A | N/A | $10,980 |
| Food | N/A | $4,480 | $4,480 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $4,770 | $8,388 | $19,498 |
Standard Cost of Attendance
| Cost of Attendance | Resident | Commuter | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Attendance | $71,274 | $56,260 | $67,370 |
SECCM Direct and Indirect Costs for 2026-2027
RWU provides a breakdown of SECCM (School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management) direct and indirect costs for resident, commuter, and off-campus students.
SECCM Direct Costs
| Direct Costs | Resident | Commuter | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Tuition | $49,464 | $49,464 | $49,464 |
| Student Activity Fee | $400 | $400 | $400 |
| Housing (Standard Double) | $9,964 | N/A | N/A |
| Food | $8,568 | N/A | N/A |
| Laundry Fee | $100 | N/A | N/A |
| Total Direct Costs | $68,496 | $49,864 | $49,864 |
SECCM Indirect Costs
| Indirect Costs | Resident | Commuter | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | $1,000 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
| Average Loan Fees | $70 | $70 | $70 |
| Transportation | $1,600 | $2,498 | $2,498 |
| Miscellaneous | $2,100 | $340 | $470 |
| Housing | N/A | N/A | $10,980 |
| Food | N/A | $4,480 | $4,480 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $4,770 | $8,388 | $19,498 |
SECCM Cost of Attendance
| Cost of Attendance | Resident | Commuter | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Attendance | $73,266 | $58,252 | $69,362 |
Architecture Direct and Indirect Costs for 2026-2027
RWU provides a breakdown of Architecture direct and indirect costs for resident, commuter, and off-campus students.
Architecture Direct Costs
| Direct Costs | Resident | Commuter | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive Tuition | $53,040 | $53,040 | $53,040 |
| Student Activity Fee | $400 | $400 | $400 |
| Housing (Standard Double) | $9,964 | N/A | N/A |
| Food | $8,568 | N/A | N/A |
| Laundry Fee | $100 | N/A | N/A |
| Total Direct Costs | $72,072 | $53,440 | $53,440 |
Architecture Indirect Costs
| Indirect Costs | Resident | Commuter | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Books & Supplies | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| Average Loan Fees | $70 | $70 | $70 |
| Transportation | $1,600 | $2,498 | $2,498 |
| Miscellaneous | $2,100 | $340 | $470 |
| Housing | N/A | N/A | $10,980 |
| Food | N/A | $4,480 | $4,480 |
| Total Indirect Costs | $5,770 | $9,388 | $20,498 |
Architecture Cost of Attendance
| Cost of Attendance | Resident | Commuter | Off Campus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Attendance | $77,842 | $62,828 | $73,938 |
Financial Aid and Scholarships
RWU offers various forms of financial aid to help students and families manage the cost of education. Financial aid can include grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Financial aid packages vary depending on your financial need. Most colleges determine financial need based on your FAFSA.
Types of Aid Available
- Need-Based Scholarships and Grants: These do not need to be paid back. In the past, the average need-based scholarship or grant awarded was $29,084.
- Need-Based Loans: These must be paid back. The average need-based loan amount was $4,210.
- Non-Need-Based Aid: This is awarded for a specific talent or academic achievement. In the past, the average non-need-based aid awarded was $20,700.
Financial Aid Statistics
- 60.69% of students receive financial aid.
- 99.17% of freshmen with need receive financial aid.
Important Financial Aid Dates
- Application Due: February 1
Multiple Sibling Tuition Discount
RWU recognizes the financial impact of having multiple children in college simultaneously. To alleviate this burden, the university offers a multiple sibling tuition discount. If two or more siblings are enrolled as full-time students at RWU (undergraduate, graduate, or law school), a tuition discount will be granted.
The discount rate is as follows:
- One student enrolled: no discount
- Two students enrolled: 10% discount for each student
- Three students enrolled: 10% discount for the first two students; 20% discount for the third student
- Four or more students enrolled: 10% discount for the first two students; 20% discount for the third student; 25% discount for each of the fourth and any additional students
The discount is applied in order of the year of enrollment, and siblings must be under 24 (undergraduate) or 26 (graduate/law school) to be eligible. This discount cannot be combined with any other published tuition discounts and does not apply to fees and other charges.
Student Loan Debt
The amount of student loan debt you accumulate can significantly affect your financial life after college. Ideally, your total student loan debt should be less than your anticipated starting salary after graduation.
Student Loan Debt Statistics
- Median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree: $26,940
- Median monthly federal loan payment (assuming a 10-year repayment plan at 5.05% interest): $286
- Percentage of graduating students who took out private loans: 27%
- Average private loan debt at graduation: $59,171
- Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class: $48,830
- Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024): 63%
Net Price
The net price is the total cost of attending RWU minus the grants and scholarships you receive. It is a more accurate reflection of what you will actually pay out of pocket. RWU provides a Net Price calculator to help families estimate their net price based on their individual financial circumstances.
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