Per-credit tuition is a pricing method in which the student is charged a set dollar amount for each credit hour enrolled.
How it works
The institution publishes the per-credit rate for each program or student level. At registration the bursar multiplies the rate by the enrolled credits and posts the charge. If the student adds or drops credits during the add/drop period, tuition is adjusted. After the add/drop period, withdrawal policies determine refunds. The aid office uses the projected or actual credit load to set the COA tuition figure.
Example: an online program charges $450 per credit. A student enrolled in 9 credits is billed $4,050 for tuition. Adding a 3-credit course during add/drop raises the bill to $5,400. The COA and aid package are updated to reflect the higher charge.
How it differs
Banded or flat full-time tuition charges a single amount for a range of credits (for example, 12–18). Cohort tuition assigns a rate by entry term but may still be calculated per credit. A technology or distance-education fee is an additional charge on top of per-credit tuition.
Common errors
Assuming a full-time student pays only for 12 credits when enrolled in 15 under a pure per-credit model. Forgetting to include mandatory fees when estimating from the per-credit rate alone. Applying an outdated per-credit rate after a cohort or annual increase.
References
- 1. Institutional per-credit pricingVariable versus banded tuition
- 2. IPEDS price collectionReporting of tuition charges
Per-credit tuition is a pricing method in which the student is charged a set dollar amount for each credit hour enrolled.