Tuition, Fees and Scholarships
Pursuing a graduate degree is a significant investment in your future, and we are committed to helping you navigate the financial aspects of your education. In addition to understanding tuition and fees for the Master’s in Strategic Communication, we encourage you to explore scholarship opportunities that can help offset the cost of your studies.
Tuition Reduction
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35% Tuition Reduction — Up to 55% for Non-Residents
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Earn your online Master's in Strategic Communication for significantly less.
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Eligible students must live in Minnesota, Wisconsin or North Dakota. Regents Scholarship recipients do not qualify.
Resident Cost of Tuition and Fees (2025-2026)
Tuition and fees are subject to change each year and are determined by the Board of Regents.
- Tuition Rate Information
- Additional Fee Information
- Graduate Cost of Attendance Information
- Reciprocity Programs
Graduate Scholarships
The University of Minnesota offers a variety of graduate scholarships to support students in achieving their academic and professional goals. Scholarships are available based on academic merit, financial need, leadership, community involvement, and other criteria.
- University-Wide Scholarships: Graduate students may be eligible for scholarships administered by the university. These awards can come from different departments and foundations associated with UMN.
- External Scholarships: There are also opportunities for scholarships offered by external organizations, professional associations, and industry partners that align with the field of strategic communication.
We strongly encourage you to visit the University of Minnesota Scholarships page to search for scholarships that match your qualifications and to learn about application deadlines and requirements.
Resident Cost of Tuition and Fees (2025-2026)
Tuition and fees are subject to change each year and are determined by the Board of Regents.
- Tuition Rate Information
- Additional Fee Information
- Graduate Cost of Attendance Information
- Reciprocity Programs
Graduate Scholarships
The University of Minnesota offers a variety of graduate scholarships to support students in achieving their academic and professional goals. Scholarships are available based on academic merit, financial need, leadership, community involvement, and other criteria.
- University-Wide Scholarships: Graduate students may be eligible for scholarships administered by the university. These awards can come from different departments and foundations associated with UMN.
- External Scholarships: There are also opportunities for scholarships offered by external organizations, professional associations, and industry partners that align with the field of strategic communication.
We strongly encourage you to visit the University of Minnesota Scholarships page to search for scholarships that match your qualifications and to learn about application deadlines and requirements.
Tuition & Fees FAQ
What is the current per-credit and total tuition cost for the Master's in Strategic Communication program?
The Master's in Strategic Communication is a 30-credit program with tuition set per credit hour. Your total cost will depend on whether you qualify for the resident or non-resident rate, and you pay per term based on the credits you enroll in each semester.
- Resident rate: $1,665 per credit
- Non-resident rate: $2,601 per credit
- Total credits: 30
This means the full program tuition is approximately $49,950 for Minnesota residents and $78,030 for non-residents, payable per credit each term.
How and when do I apply for departmental or university-wide scholarships and assistantships?
- University-Wide Scholarships: Apply each year via the Graduate Student Funding portal in late fall (deadline typically January). Discover deadlines and application instructions for all centrally administered fellowships and scholarships.
- Hubbard School Awards: Learn about specific departmental fellowships and scholarships listed on the Hubbard School Graduate Funding page.
- Graduate Assistantships (GAs/GTAs): Openings are posted through the Office of Human Resources Student Jobs portal. Once positions are posted — typically in February and March — you can apply there and notify the Hubbard School’s Graduate Student Services office of your interest.
Are there strategic communication graduate fellowships available?
Yes. Our graduate students have access to a variety of generous fellowships to support them throughout the strategic communication masters. Current fellowships include:
- William D. Wells Graduate Fellowship in Strategic Mass Communication
- DJ Leary Strategic Communication Fellowship for Strategic Communication MA
- Ray Tarleton Strategic Communication Fellowship for Strategic Communication MA
Learn more about university-wide graduate fellowships as well as those offered by the Hubbard School.
What payment plans or deferred billing options are offered to help spread out tuition costs?
UMN’s OneStop Student Services offers a semester payment plan, which breaks your balance into three equal installments each term. You can also:
- Enroll in Auto-Pay for automatic deductions through the My Finances tab on MyU
- Request a deferred billing extension if you’re awaiting financial aid disbursements
View details and enrollment deadlines on the OneStop Payment Plan page.
Is there any guaranteed tuition rate lock for continuing students or multi-year enrollment?
Tuition rates at UMN are set annually by the Board of Regents and generally apply each academic year. While some professional master’s programs guarantee rates for two years, the strategic communications degree follows the standard graduate rate without a formal multi‐year lock. Consult OneStop each fall for the latest updates.