Estimated Costs of Attendance
Making college affordable is a top priority at KCAI. We help over 99% of our students find the financial aid they need to pursue their B.F.A. degree.
Use the tables below to explore potential costs associated with attending.
Direct Costs - Direct costs also referred as Costs You Will Pay the School and will appear on your student billing account.
Indirect Costs - Indirect costs are expenses you may incur while attending KCAI also referred as Costs Paid to Others. These costs will vary, but should be considered as you budget your expenses. The costs in the table below are estimates to help you plan.
2025-2026 Cost of Attendance
Living On-Campus
Direct Costs:
- Annual Tuition (12-18 credits) - $44,000
- Annual Campus Fee - $850
- Annual Technology Fee - $650
- Annual Health and Wellness Fee - $175
- Barbara Marshall Residence Hall Double Room - $10,050
- Barbara Marshall Residence Hall 14/19 Food Plan* - $3,640/$4,050
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance - $64,215
Indirect Costs
- Additional food allowance estimate* - $900
- Books and Supplies - $1,000
- Personal Expenses - $2,200
- Transportation - $750
*Students are billed directly for a 14 or 19 meals per week food plan of their choice. This additional food allowance estimate provides students with the ability to budget for 21 meals per week.
Living Off Campus
Direct Costs
- Annual Tuition (12-18 credits) - $44,000
- Annual Campus Fee - $850
- Annual Technology Fee - $650
- Annual Health and Wellness Fee - $175
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance - $67,265
Indirect Costs
- Housing and Food - $16,530
- Books and Supplies - $1,000
- Personal Expenses - $2,200
- Transportation - $1,860
Living With A Parent or Guardian
Direct Costs
- Annual Tuition (12-18 credits) - $44,000
- Annual Campus Fee - $850
- Annual Technology Fee - $650
- Annual Health and Wellness Fee - $175
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance - $54,811
Indirect Costs
- Housing and Food - $4,076
- Books and Supplies - $1,000
- Personal Expenses - $2,200
- Transportation - $1,860
The estimated indirect costs reflected above are calculated standardized estimates using recommendations from The College Board, and housing data researched in the Kansas City area.
The cost of attendance will always exceed the direct cost of attending KCAI and does not reflect your financial aid totals.
Federal direct student loan borrowers will have loan origination fees added to their budget. The Department of Education deducts a 1.057% loan origination fee prior to disbursement of the funds sent to the school.
Cost of attendance for students attending less than half-time will not include miscellaneous, personal, or federal loan fees per Federal Student Aid regulations.
2024-2025 Cost of Attendance
Living On-Campus
Direct Costs
- Annual Tuition (12-18 credits) - $43,000
- Annual Campus Fee - $800
- Annual Technology Fee - $600
- Annual Health and Wellness Fee - $150
- Barbara Marshall Residence Hall Double Room - $9,850
- Barbara Marshall Residence Hall 14/19 Food Plan - $3,402/$3,801
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance - $65,576
Indirect Costs
- Additional food allowance estimate* - $900
- Books and Supplies - $1000 Foundation students/$800 all other majors
- Personal Expenses - $5,124
- Transportation - $750
*Students are billed directly for a 14 or 19 food plan of their choice. This additional food allowance estimate provides students with the ability to budget for 21 meals per week.
Living Off Campus
Direct Costs
- Annual Tuition (12-18 credits) - $43,000
- Annual Campus Fee - $800
- Annual Technology Fee - $600
- Annual Health and Wellness Fee - $150
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance - $63,770
Indirect Costs
- Housing and Food - $11,436
- Books and Supplies - $800
- Personal Expenses - $5,124
- Transportation - $1,860
Living With A Parent or Guardian
Direct Costs
- Annual Tuition (12-18 credits) - $43,000
- Annual Campus Fee - $800
- Annual Technology Fee - $600
- Annual Health and Wellness Fee - $150
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance - $56,410
Indirect Costs
- Housing and Food - $4,076
- Books and Supplies - $800
- Personal Expenses - $5,124
- Transportation - $1,860