University of Michigan School of Information
Tuition and funding
We know funding graduate school can be challenging, and we’re committed to doing whatever we can to help. That said, an MSI from UMSI is a good investment. According to our most recent employment report, average salaries are excellent. Many students earn competing job offers; MSI graduates are in extremely high demand. They’re also extremely satisfied with their employment once hired (90% satisfaction rate in the most recent survey).
Here’s information that may help guide you as you work toward paying for your degree:
Full-term tuition at the School of Information is set by the U-M Office of the Registrar. Each year near the beginning of the fall term, updated tuition and fees are posted on the Registrar's website.
Those rates for the 2024-2025 school year are $14,277 per term for Michigan residents and $28,722 per term for out-of-state residents attending full time (9 credits or more), plus fees.
It’s worth noting that tuition is capped at that amount, so if you choose to enroll in more credits per term (as some of our students do), those additional credits are effectively free.
There are many factors to take into consideration when calculating the cost of living in Ann Arbor. The U-M Office of Financial Aid provides a standard student budget to help get you started, though you may find that the cost of books is lighter at UMSI, where many professors attempt to ensure that course materials are available online.
There are many resources available to assist master's students with funding, including GSI/GSRA/GSSA opportunities and UMSI diversity, merit and need-based scholarships.
UMSI master's students (new and continuing) have also been successful when applying for external funding. In recent years, awards received by UMSI students have included American Library Association Spectrum Scholarships, ARMA International Educational Foundation Scholarships, Association for Women in Computing Scholarships, Society of American Archivist Scholarships and more.
All external tuition scholarship awards in the first year are eligible for matching funds from UMSI, up to a maximum of $10,000 and subject to availability.
We offer students access to several highly selective fellowships: the Achievement Fellowship for those with financial need or representing a diverse background, the Joyce Bonk Assistantship for an on-campus historical library position and the Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship for Peace Corps volunteers.
The U-M Office of Financial Aid provides information on federal programs for need-based aid for U.S. citizens.
Most of our students also choose to work part-time while in the program. This offers a great opportunity not only as a source of funding, but also as an opportunity for professional experience.
Advising on funding your degree is available to prospective students (contact [email protected]) and current students (contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs).
The U-M Student Veterans Assistance Program can help familiarize you with the support available for student veterans and active service members, including the Post 9/11 GI Bill and other programs as well as the Yellow Ribbon Program.
A number of loan forgiveness programs are available to master's-level graduates, particularly for those who pursue work in public service. A few of these programs are listed below. It is important to remember that these programs are administered based on certain types of loans, and consolidation may affect your eligibility. Be sure to seek assistance when considering consolidation to make sure you are not disqualifying yourself from thousands of dollars in potential loan forgiveness.
Finding graduate school funding can be challenging for international students, as opportunities for available scholarships are more limited. However, there are some national and regional scholarships that international students may qualify for, so it's worth spending some time conducting research on the possibilities. Some scholarships are only available for U.S. citizens, so be sure to look closely at the eligibility requirements.
Some other great resources for possible sources of funding include:
- MLibrary Funding For Students guide for international students
- U-M Office of Financial Aid Resources for Graduate Students
- Institute of International Education
- Start early. As you prepare to apply, begin researching funding sources.
- Invest time to search for funding. Students who have looked for funding more proactively have found new and unexpected sources from places such as professional organizations, state agencies and local or community organizations. Explore funding search engines and additional links from above.
- It’s not over when you’re admitted. Remember that securing funding for graduate education is a process that begins when you are an applicant but can still continue as you complete your degree.
- We’ll help! Stay in touch with UMSI admissions, and, once you are enrolled, with UMSI's financial aid advisor. Tell us about your needs, and we will work with you to help you uncover new sources and leads for funding.
