Tuition & Fees — Academic Year 2025–2026
All charges listed are per academic year (two semesters) unless otherwise noted. Figures are subject to revision by the Board of Trustees. Last updated: August 1, 2025.
Tuition (Full-Time Undergraduate)
Full-time enrollment is defined as 12–18 credit hours per semester. The flat-rate annual tuition covers all credits within this range.
| Program | Annual Rate | Per Semester |
|---|---|---|
| B.F.A. / B.M. / B.T.A. — Full-Time (12–18 cr/sem) | $41,800.00 | $20,900.00 |
| Overload (each credit above 18/sem) | — | $1,860.00/cr |
| Auditor (non-credit enrollment, per course) | — | $930.00/course |
Tuition is the same for all degree programs: Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Bachelor of Music (B.M.), and Bachelor of Theatre Arts (B.T.A.). There is no separate in-state or out-of-state distinction; ACAPA is a private conservatory with a single tuition rate for all students.
Part-Time Rate
Students enrolled in fewer than 12 credit hours per semester are considered part-time and are billed per credit hour.
| Status | Credit Hours / Semester | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Part-Time Undergraduate | 1–11 credits | $1,860.00 per credit |
| Part-Time Graduate (M.F.A. / M.M.) | 1–8 credits | $1,980.00 per credit |
Part-time students are not automatically eligible for institutional housing. See the Campus Life page for housing availability for part-time students.
Room & Board
Total annual room and board: $14,200 (standard double room + 14-meal plan). Individual charges vary by residence hall assignment and meal plan selection as shown below.
Housing (Room) Rates — Annual
| Residence Hall / Room Type | Building | Annual Rate | Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Double Room | Aldrich Hall, Whitmore Hall | $7,400.00 | $3,700.00 |
| Standard Single Room | Aldrich Hall, Whitmore Hall | $8,800.00 | $4,400.00 |
| Suite-Style Double (shared 2BR suite) | Harrington Arts House | $8,200.00 | $4,100.00 |
| Suite-Style Single (private room in suite) | Harrington Arts House | $9,600.00 | $4,800.00 |
| Performance Practice Residence (single) | Meridian Hall (soundproofed rooms) | $10,400.00 | $5,200.00 |
Room assignments are made by the Office of Residential Life. All first-year students are required to live on campus. Returning students may apply for off-campus housing exemption by April 1.
Meal Plans — Annual
| Plan Name | Meals per Week | Dining Dollars (per sem.) | Annual Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservatory 19 (required: 1st-year) | 19 swipes/week | $200 | $7,200.00 |
| Conservatory 14 (standard) | 14 swipes/week | $250 | $6,800.00 |
| Conservatory 10 | 10 swipes/week | $300 | $6,200.00 |
| Block 80 | 80 swipes/semester | $400 | $5,400.00 |
| Commuter Plan (off-campus students) | 50 swipes/semester | $200 | $2,600.00 |
All residential students are required to enroll in a meal plan. First-year students must select the Conservatory 19 plan. Meal plan changes may be made during the first two weeks of each semester. Unused swipes expire at semester end; unused Dining Dollars carry over one semester only. Medical dietary exemptions must be approved by the Dean of Student Life and Health Services.
Mandatory Fees
Total mandatory fees: $1,640 per year. The following fees are charged to all enrolled students and are not waivable except as noted.
| Fee | Per Year | Per Semester | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Activity Fee | $160.00 | Supports student organizations, events, and governance. $320/yr. | |
| Health & Wellness Fee | $185.00 | Covers campus health center access and counseling services. $370/yr. | |
| Technology Fee | $130.00 | Campus Wi-Fi, computing labs, software licenses. $260/yr. | |
| Arts Facilities Fee | $145.00 | Practice rooms, performance spaces, studio maintenance. $290/yr. | |
| Library & Media Resources Fee | $70.00 | Physical and digital library access, score library, streaming licenses. $140/yr. | |
| Orientation Fee | $130.00 | — | Charged once to all incoming students (first fall semester only). |
| Graduation Fee | $130.00 | — | Charged in final year of enrollment. Covers diploma, ceremony costs. |
| Recurring Annual Fees (semesters 1–8) | $690.00/sem | $1,380/yr (Student Activity + Health & Wellness + Technology + Arts Facilities + Library) | |
| One-Time Fees (Orientation + Graduation) | $260.00 total | — | Orientation billed year 1 fall; Graduation billed final year. |
| Effective Annual Mandatory Fees (typical year) | $1,640.00 / year |
The Student Health & Wellness Fee may be waived by students who demonstrate proof of comparable private health insurance coverage through the Office of Student Health Services by the semester billing due date. Approved waivers reduce the fee by the Health & Wellness component ($185/semester). The Technology Fee and Arts Facilities Fee are non-waivable.
Additional fees that may apply but are not included in the mandatory annual total:
| Fee | Amount | When Charged |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Lesson Fee (private instruction above included allotment) | $275.00/credit | Per additional lesson credit registered |
| Instrument Rental (select instruments) | $200.00–$400.00/sem | Per semester, where applicable |
| Late Payment Fee | $150.00 | Applied if balance unpaid after due date |
| Returned Check / Failed Payment Fee | $35.00 | Per occurrence |
| Transcript Fee | $10.00 | Per official transcript request |
| Parking Permit (annual) | $280.00 | Optional; permits required for campus lot access |
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance — 2025–2026
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is used to determine financial aid eligibility. It includes both direct costs (billed by ACAPA) and estimated indirect costs.
| Direct Costs (Billed by ACAPA) | |
|---|---|
| Tuition (full-time flat rate) | $41,800.00 |
| Room (standard double) | $7,400.00 |
| Board (Conservatory 14 meal plan) | $6,800.00 |
| Mandatory Fees | $1,640.00 |
| Subtotal — Direct Costs | $57,640.00 |
| Estimated Indirect Costs (not billed by ACAPA) | |
| Books, Scores & Course Materials | $800.00 |
| Personal & Miscellaneous Expenses | $1,400.00 |
| Transportation (estimated) | $700.00 |
| Subtotal — Indirect Costs | $2,900.00 |
| Estimated Total Cost of Attendance | $60,540.00 |
COA figures are estimates. Actual costs will vary based on room type, meal plan selection, and individual spending. Students living off campus should substitute estimated off-campus housing and food expenses for room and board. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at financialaid@acapa.edu for a personalized cost estimate.
Billing Schedule
ACAPA issues electronic billing statements through the Student Accounts Portal (portal.acapa.edu). Paper statements are available upon request at no charge. Students and authorized payers receive an email notification when bills are posted.
| Term | Bill Posted | Payment Due Date | Late Fee Applied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | July 1, 2025 | August 1, 2025 | August 2, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 | November 15, 2025 | December 15, 2025 | December 16, 2025 |
Students with outstanding balances after the payment due date will be assessed a $150 late payment fee. Accounts with unpaid balances of $500 or more after 30 days past due will be subject to a registration hold, preventing course registration for subsequent terms. Unpaid balances older than 60 days may be referred to an external collections agency.
Students expecting financial aid, outside scholarships, or employer/third-party payments should submit appropriate documentation to the Office of Student Accounts prior to the billing due date to avoid late fees. Pending aid is reflected on the billing statement and does not require out-of-pocket payment while under review.
Payment Plans
ACAPA offers interest-free monthly installment payment plans administered through our Student Accounts Portal. A non-refundable enrollment fee applies per semester plan.
Installment Plan Options
| Plan | Semester Balance Split Into | Enrollment Fee | Interest | First Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Pay Plan | 4 equal monthly installments | $45/semester | None | August 1 (Fall) / December 15 (Spring) |
| 3-Pay Plan | 3 equal monthly installments | $35/semester | None | August 1 (Fall) / December 15 (Spring) |
| 2-Pay Plan | 2 equal installments (month 1 & month 2) | $25/semester | None | August 1 (Fall) / December 15 (Spring) |
To enroll in a payment plan, log into the Student Accounts Portal at portal.acapa.edu and select "Payment Plans" under the Billing tab. Plans must be established before the semester payment due date. Enrollment in a plan does not waive the obligation to pay the full semester balance by the plan's final installment date.
If a scheduled installment payment fails or is returned, the student will be removed from the payment plan, the full semester balance becomes immediately due, and a $35 returned payment fee will be assessed.
Authorized Payer Access
Students may designate parents, guardians, or other individuals as Authorized Payers through the Student Accounts Portal. Authorized Payers receive their own login credentials and can view billing statements, make payments, and enroll in payment plans on the student's behalf.
Other Accepted Payment Methods
| Method | Processing Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| eCheck (ACH bank transfer) | None | Preferred method. Available via Student Accounts Portal. |
| Credit Card (Visa, MC, Discover, AmEx) | 2.75% convenience fee | Fee assessed by third-party processor; not retained by ACAPA. |
| Check (paper, made payable to ACAPA) | None | Mail to: Office of Student Accounts, 1 Conservatory Drive, Eastbridge, VT 05001. |
| Wire Transfer (domestic) | $20.00 flat fee | Contact Student Accounts for wire instructions. |
| Wire Transfer (international) | $35.00 flat fee | Flywire available for international students. Contact Student Accounts. |
| 529 / Prepaid Tuition Plans | None | Allow 10–14 business days for processing. Submit disbursement requests early. |
Tuition Refund Policy
Students who officially withdraw from ACAPA, take a leave of absence, or reduce their credit load during a semester are subject to the following refund schedule. Refund percentages apply to tuition charges only unless otherwise noted. The date of official withdrawal is the date the Registrar's Office receives written notification from the student.
Tuition Refund Schedule (per semester)
| Period of Official Withdrawal | Tuition Refund | Mandatory Fees Refund |
|---|---|---|
| Before the first day of classes | 100% | 100% (less $75 admin fee) |
| Week 1 (days 1–7 of classes) | 80% | 80% |
| Week 2 (days 8–14) | 60% | 60% |
| Week 3 (days 15–21) | 40% | 0% |
| Week 4 (days 22–28) | 20% | 0% |
| After Week 4 (day 29 and beyond) | 0% | 0% |
Room & Board Refunds
Room charges are refunded on a pro-rata basis through 60% of the semester. No room refund is issued after 60% of the semester has elapsed. Board (meal plan) charges are refunded based on actual meals used through the date of official checkout from the residence halls. Students who vacate housing must complete an official checkout with the Office of Residential Life; charges continue until official checkout is complete.
Non-Refundable Charges
The following charges are non-refundable under all circumstances: Enrollment Deposit ($500), Orientation Fee ($130), Graduation Fee ($130), applied lesson fees for lessons already received, returned check fees, and late payment fees.
Medical and Compassionate Withdrawal
Students who must withdraw due to documented medical circumstances or extraordinary hardship may petition the Committee on Academic Standing for a refund consideration beyond the standard schedule. Petitions must be submitted within 60 days of the withdrawal date and must include supporting documentation from a licensed healthcare provider or other relevant authority. Each petition is evaluated on a case-by-case basis; ACAPA is not obligated to grant refunds beyond the standard schedule.
Federal Financial Aid Recipients
Students who received Title IV federal financial aid (Pell Grants, Direct Loans) and who withdraw from all courses are subject to the federal Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculation in addition to ACAPA's institutional refund policy. The Office of Financial Aid will perform the R2T4 calculation and notify the student of any required return of funds. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid before withdrawing to understand the full financial impact.
How to Request a Refund
Credit balances resulting from overpayment, financial aid, or withdrawal adjustments will be refunded to the original payment method within 14 business days of the credit appearing on the account. Students who prefer direct deposit (ACH) refunds must enroll through the Student Accounts Portal. Students who do not enroll in direct deposit will receive a mailed paper check at their address of record. Refund requests may be submitted in writing to studentaccounts@acapa.edu.
Office of Student Accounts
Harmon Administrative Building, Room 104
1 Conservatory Drive, Eastbridge, VT 05001
Phone: (802) 555-0190 | Fax: (802) 555-0191 |
Email: studentaccounts@acapa.edu
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed on ACAPA administrative holidays)
See also: Financial Aid & Scholarships • Admissions • About ACAPA