Tuition and Financial Aid
Cost of Attendance 2026-2027
Cost of Attendance is a budget determined by Meridian University to estimate the cost of education for the academic year. This estimate includes Direct Costs such as tuition and fees, plus estimates of Indirect Costs, which include living expenses (outside of Meridian), books, travel, personal expenses, and miscellaneous expenses.Fixed Tuition Rate: Lock‑In Costs for Peace of Mind
At Meridian University, students are provided with a fixed tuition rate based on the per credit rate in place at the time of the student's first quarter. This fixed rate is designed to help students budget and plan for the financial cost of coursework during their degree program. In order to maintain the fixed rate, a student must stay continuously enrolled in at least half-time registration status (4 credits per quarter.) If a student were to withdraw from the University at any point during coursework and later apply for readmission, the per credit tuition rate would convert to that of the applicable rate at the time of readmission.Direct Costs
Direct Costs include tuition and other fees necessary to attend the program. These are the cost of items the student pays directly to the school. The chart below is a summarized amount of Direct Costs the student will need to cover attendance at Meridian University for one academic year of study, which consists of four consecutive quarters.2026–2027 Total Tuition and Fees (Direct Costs)| Department | Cost |
|---|---|
| PhD in Psychology | $21,632.00 |
| PsyD in Clinical Psychology | $21,632.00 |
| MA in Counseling Psychology | $21,632.00 |
| MA in Psychology | $21,632.00 |
| MEd in Educational Leadership | $21,632.00 |
| EdD in Organizational Leadership | $21,632.00 |
| MBA in Creative Enterprise | $21,632.00 |
Indirect Costs
The estimated figures of Indirect Costs are provided by a third party based on regional and programmatic statistical information. These figures are only estimates and are not owed to the University.Individual student costs may vary based on individual standards of living and where the student lives. Students should be prepared to meet the additional costs of their degree program. These additional costs can include travel, accommodations, food, textbooks, learning guides, readers, conference call charges, doctoral project editors, computer software and hardware, courses at other institutions, commercial database searches, professional meetings, trainings, conferences, and/or workshops. Learning consultants or other editors are the sole responsibility of the students using their services.Total Estimated Cost of Attendance
The following table shows the total estimated cost of attendance for the 2026–27 academic year. Estimated costs are estimated tuition and fee amounts that the students pay directly to Meridian.- Estimated indirect costs are likely to vary for each student and are not owed to the University.
- Total Estimated Cost of Attendance adds together both the estimated direct costs and estimated indirect costs, and is indicated on the last row of the table below.
- The note (*) under the Direct Costs section above also applies to the table below.
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct or Estimated Indirect Cost | Category | PhD in Psychology | PsyD in Clinical Psychology | MA in Counseling Psychology | MA in Psychology | MEd in Educational Leadership | EdD in Organizational Leadership | MBA in Creative Enterprise | Continuation Student |
| Direct Cost | Tuition | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | 0.00 |
| Direct Cost | Required Fees | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $0.00 | $1,550.00 |
| Direct Cost Total | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $21,632.00 | $1,550.00 | |
| Estimated Costs | Books & Supplies | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 | $0 |
| Estimated Costs | Living Expenses | $24,928.00 | $24,928.00 | $24,928.00 | $24,928.00 | $24,928.00 | $24,928.00 | $24,928.00 | $0 |
| Estimated Costs | Transportation | $5,066.00 | $5,066.00 | $5,066.00 | $5,066.00 | $5,066.00 | $5,066.00 | $5,066.00 | $0 |
| Estimated Costs | Misc Expenses | $16,110.00 | $16,110.00 | $16,110.00 | $16,110.00 | $16,110.00 | $16,110.00 | $16,110.00 | $0 |
| Estimated Cost | Loan Fees (Est) | $231 | $231 | $231 | $231 | $231 | $231 | $231 | $0 |
| Est. Indirect Cost Total | $47,535.00 | $47,535.00 | $47,535.00 | $47,535.00 | $47,535.00 | $47,535.00 | $47,535.00 | $0 | |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $69,167.00 | $69,167.00 | $69,167.00 | $69,167.00 | $69,167.00 | $69,167.00 | $69,167.00 | $1,550.00 | |
Schedule of Charges
Please note that all fees on the following Schedule of Charges are for the current academic year and may change in the future. All fees are reviewed annually and are subject to change and expected to increase each year.| Application Fee | $50 | Mandatory, non-refundable |
| Graduate Degree Program Tuition | $676 per credit | Mandatory, partially refundable |
| Finance Charge: Monthly Payment Plan | $90 per quarter | Optional, non-refundable |
| Continuation Fee | $1,550 | Mandatory, partially refundable |
| Transformative Learning Lab | Varies*** | Optional, non-refundable |
| Dissertation Fee: Eight-Quarter Period (PhD/EdD Students) | $19,500** | Mandatory, partially refundable |
| Clinical Case Study Fee: Four-Quarter Period (PsyD Students) | $9,750** | Mandatory, partially refundable |
| Dissertation Extension Fee (Four-Quarter Extension) | $9,750** | Optional, partially refundable |
| Clinical Case Study Extension Fee (Four-Quarter Extension) | $9,750** | Optional, partially refundable |
| Quarterly Dissertation Fee beyond the four-quarter Extension Fee (per quarter fee) | $2,437 | Optional, non-refundable |
| Quarterly Clinical Case Study Fee beyond the four-quarter Extension Fee (per quarter fee) | $2,437 | Optional, non-refundable |
| Doctoral Project Binding Fee (three copies) | $600 (may vary based on vendor) | Mandatory, non-refundable |
| Degree Program Transfer Fee | $300 | Optional, non-refundable |
| Readmissions Fee | $300 | Mandatory, non-refundable |
| Optional Tutorial Fee | $676 | Optional, non-refundable |
| Required Tutorial Fee | $676 | Mandatory, non-refundable |
| Certificate Fee | Certificate fees vary based on the certificate | Optional, partially refundable |
| Leave of Absence Fee | $300 | Optional, non-refundable |
| Official Transcript Fee | $15 | Optional, non-refundable |
| ID Card Replacement Fee | $15 | Optional, non-refundable |
| Late Enrollment Fee | $50 | Optional, non-refundable |
| Late Payment Fee | $25 | Optional, non-refundable |
| Returned Check Fee | $35 | Optional, non-returnable |
| Late Assignment Fee | $75 | Optional, non-refundable |
| Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) | Varies*** | Mandatory, non-refundable |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200* | Optional, non-refundable |
- All fees are reviewed annually and may be subject to increase by Meridian University
- An “Optional” fee is required when a student selects an optional service.
STUDENT TUITION RECOVERY FUND (STRF)
“You must pay the state-imposed assessment for the Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) if all of the following applies to you:- You are a student in an educational program, who is a California resident, or are enrolled in a residency program, and prepay all or part of your tuition either by cash, guaranteed student loans, or personal loans, and
- Your total charges are not paid by any third-party payer such as an employer, government program or other payer unless you have a separate agreement to repay the third party.
- You are not a California resident, or are not enrolled in a residency program, or
- Your total charges are paid by a third party, such as an employer, government program or other payer, and you have no separate agreement to repay the third party.”
- The institution, a location of the institution, or an educational program offered by the institution was closed or discontinued, and you did not choose to participate in a teach-out plan approved by the Bureau or did not complete a chosen teach-out plan approved by the Bureau.
- You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution within the 120 day period before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, or were enrolled in an educational program within the 120 day period before the program was discontinued.
- You were enrolled at an institution or a location of the institution more than 120 days before the closure of the institution or location of the institution, in an educational program offered by the institution as to which the Bureau determined there was a significant decline in the quality or value of the program more than 120 days before closure.
- The institution has been ordered to pay a refund by the Bureau but has failed to do so.
- The institution has failed to pay or reimburse loan proceeds under a federal student loan program as required by law, or has failed to pay or reimburse proceeds received by the institution in excess of tuition and other costs.
- You have been awarded restitution, a refund, or other monetary award by an arbitrator or court, based on a violation of this chapter by an institution or representative of an institution, but have been unable to collect the award from the institution.
- You sought legal counsel that resulted in the cancellation of one or more of your student loans and have an invoice for services rendered and evidence of the cancellation of the student loan or loans.
- To qualify for STRF reimbursement, the application must be received within four (4) years from the date of the action or event that made the student eligible for recovery from STRF.
Disputes
Per the Enrollment Agreement, both Parties agree that any and all disputes, claims or controversies arising out of or relating to the Enrollment Agreement shall be submitted to a mutually selected mediator, and if the matter is not resolved through mediation, then it shall be submitted to arbitration for final and binding arbitration pursuant to the terms of the Enrollment Agreement, section 'Mediation and Arbitration'. Either Party may initiate mediation by providing to the other Party a written request for mediation, including the subject of the dispute and the resolution requested. Either Party may initiate arbitration by filing a written demand for arbitration at any time following the initial mediation session, or at any time following 45 days from the date of filing the written request for mediation, whichever occurs first. Any controversy or claim between the Parties in any way related to the Enrollment Agreement or Student’s enrollment at Meridian University shall be resolved by bringing binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in Petaluma, California, in accordance with its Consumer Arbitration Rules, as provided in the terms of the Enrollment Agreement. Both Parties have irrevocably waived rights to a trial by jury, and have selected instead to submit any and all claims to the decision of the Arbitrator instead of a court as provided in accordance with the Enrollment Agreement, section 'Terms of Arbitration'. Students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to utilize the Conflict Resolution Process described in the Student Handbook prior to filing Arbitration. A Student desiring to file Arbitration should contact the AAA, which will provide the appropriate forms and detailed instructions.For Financial Aid Assistance
- For information on financial aid or payment option information, please contact the Financial Services Team at financialservices@meridianuniversity.edu.
- For information on registration, contact the Student Services Team at studentservices@meridianuniversity.edu.