Dear Lindenwood students and families,
We are glad to welcome you back for the spring semester! As you prepare for another semester of success, I want to share information about the 2025-26 tuition and fees which will go into effect beginning Fall 2025. At Lindenwood, we remain committed to providing a high-quality, affordable education. As inflation and operating costs continue to rise, we are being mindful of the investment you make to earn your degree here at Lindenwood.
Lindenwood is committed to partnering with you to help make your education more affordable. For 2025-26, we anticipate awarding more than $40.9 million in institutional aid in addition to millions in state and federal aid. This is a measurable increase from last year to help support your educational success. To ensure you receive the strongest aid package, complete your FAFSA as soon as possible.
You can now view the full details for the 2025-26 academic year: View 2025-26 Tuition and Fees
If you have questions, I encourage you to visit our Frequently Asked Questions. Current students should reach out to their Financial Aid Advisor with additional questions. Newly admitted and prospective students are encouraged to contact their Enrollment Representative.
Thank you for being part of our Lindenwood community.
Go Lions!
Dr. John Porter
FAQ -General
Who do I contact with questions?
Prospective / Incoming students
Please contact your enrollment representativeCurrent students
sfs@lindenwood.edu or your Financial Aid Advisor
FAQ - Tuition
Is tuition going up next year?
Yes – tuition will increase by 6% for the 2025-26 academic year and will take effect beginning with Fall 2025 courses. We've made this adjustment to continue providing quality education while keeping costs below those of other private universities in our region. This decision comes as the impacts of inflation exert pressure on operating costs.
What is my tuition for 2025-26?
All tuition, fees, charges and penalties are listed on the Lindenwood website.
- Full-time, traditional undergraduate student tuition (12-18 credit hours): $21,094
- Non-traditional student tuition (per credit hour): $525
- Former ADP students (2019 and previous, per credit hour): $435
- Graduate student tuition (per credit hour)
- PCB&E: $633
- MFA: $595
- Other Grad: $584
- Educational Specialist: $643
- Doctor of Education Students: $896
FAQ - Food and Housing
What is the cost of room and board for 2025-26?
- Standard (Double or Triple) - Residence Hall: $12,402
- Single – Heritage Resident Hall: $12,614
- Single – Horizon Resident Hall: $13,038
- Single Deluxe – Residence Hall: $14,167
- Linden Lodge: $14,167
- Linden Terrace Houses: $13,674
Am I required to live on campus?
Lindenwood has a two-year residency and athletics residency requirement for traditional undergraduate students that requires students to live in university housing. The following students are required to live on campus:
- Two-Year Requirement – New first-year students, freshmen transfer, international students, and transfer students who have completed fewer than 24 credit hours will need to begin their two-year requirement. Students are required to live in housing the second year of classes as well.
- Any student affiliated with an athletic team, both NCAA and SLS, including scholarship student-athletes, non-scholarship student-athletes, team managers, etc.
- Students receiving scholarships that include residence as a scholarship requirement.
Can I be exempted from living on campus?
The following exceptions to the university housing requirement may apply to first- or second-year students who are not affiliated with an athletic team or receiving a scholarship that includes residency as a scholarship requirement:
- Students who are married or parenting
- Students who reach the age of 25 before the first day of the term
- Students who have not reached age 17 on the first day of the term
- Students who are veterans
- Students who reside in the primary residence of their parent(s), legal guardian(s) or international sponsoring family within a 35-mile radius of Lindenwood’s campus
Appeals should be filed as follows:
- Incoming students – Submit in writing to the Admissions Office. The student should include reasons why they believe they should not be required to live in university housing.
- Current/Returning Students – Contact the Office of Residential Life (reslife@lindenwood.edu) to file an appeal.
All appeals will be reviewed by a committee on a case-by-case basis. It is rare to grant an appeal outside of the exemption criteria listed above.
FAQ - Financial Aid
How can financial aid support my cost of attendance?
Every student’s financial aid package and circumstances are different. If you have not submitted a FAFSA yet, we encourage you to do so. The FAFSA is a free application, available online. If you have specific questions about your financial aid package, you can contact Student Financial Services (sfs@lindenwood.edu)
How much does Lindenwood provide in financial aid to help with costs?
Lindenwood provides undergraduate students with more than $40 million in institutional financial assistance in addition to millions in federal and state aid.
Will my financial aid be impacted if I choose to move off campus?
Moving off campus may affect your financial aid. Please consult with Student Financial Services (sfs@lindenwood.edu) before making any final decisions.
FAQ - Fees
What is the Lion Fee?
The Lion Fee is a single fee that covers various services and resources to support your education at Lindenwood.
Will the Lion Fee increase for the 2025-26 academic year?
The Lion Fee is not increasing for the 2025-26 year. The Lion Fee is $1700 annually, billed in equal increments of $850 per semester.
Do I have to pay the Lion Fee?
All traditional undergraduate students, both part-time and full-time, will be assessed the Lion Fee as part of their student bill. This is assessed to both domestic and international students.
Graduate students will not pay the Lion Fee. Students enrolled in a fully online program do not pay a Lion Fee.
Do part-time students pay the Lion Fee?
Yes, part-time students are assessed the Lion Fee.
Are there any fees for online students?
All online students will pay $500 per academic year for technology fees. Because our online learners utilize services in different ways than traditional undergraduate students, we developed a separate fee at $500/year called our Online Student Technology Fee. This reduced fee covers the necessary costs of service to support online student success and eliminates the cost for the broader scope of services included in the Lion Fee. This fee is used to cover the technology support and systems utilized by our online learners including Canvas, Microsoft 365, Apporto Virtual Computer Labs, online tutoring resources, and more.
Will this be separate from my tuition, or included?
Tuition is one cost on your student bill. Any fees will be a separate line item. They will be assessed at the same time.
What does the Lion Fee cover?
The Lion Fee is a single fee that covers various services and resources to support a student’s education at Lindenwood.
Your Lion Fee will include services such as orientation, mental health and wellness services, student activities, fitness facilities, academic support (like writing and math help), technology on campus, library resources, tech support, and even athletic event fees.
- The Lion Fee does not include books and course materials.
- Some specialized courses / academic programs will continue to have individual charges. These include paramedicine, student teaching, and applied music courses. The complete list can be found on the tuition and fees webpage under “Other Charges and Penalties”
How does the Lion Fee work?
Since every student's experience is unique, we can't break down the fee for each service individually. Instead, the Lion Fee is a flat rate applied to your semester bill, so it's easy to see in your overall charges.
Does the Lion Fee cover the housing fee (deposit) / housing costs?
No, the Lion Fee does not cover the housing deposit or on-campus accommodations.
Is the student health insurance plan included in the Lion Fee?
No, student health insurance is not included in the Lion Fee.
Why are my fees the same as other students when we are in different classes?
The Lion Fee streamlines fees for students – it covers academic fees, parking, tech support, and more. All traditional undergraduate students are assessed the same fee because they have access to the same resources.
Can I opt-out of the fee? Can I file a complaint if my major does not have fees or if I don’t want to use the gym / bring a car, etc.?
No, students cannot opt-out of, or appeal, the fee. Students must pay the fee in full.
What if I don’t want to access services? Can I opt out of paying for them?
We understand that each student’s needs are different, and students will access a range of services at different times, and at varying levels. The Lion Fee is designed to continue to provide a robust offering of campus resources with this understanding.
Are there any exceptions to paying the Lion Fee?
Students who study abroad, teach full-time, or participate in full-time clinical rotations for a semester are not assessed a Lion Fee for that semester.
What is NOT included in the Lion Fee?
Note that fees, credits, etc., assessed to graduate and non-traditional students are not listed, as those students do not pay the Lion Fee.
For all students paying the Lion Fee:
Fines incurred by student including parking, housing, campus violation and library fines – Cost varies
Late Payment Penalty - $55 per month
ID Replacements - $15
For students who choose to participate in the below programs or majors:
Study Abroad Administration Charge - $310
Study Abroad Trip Charges – cost varies
Applied Music Course Charge (per credit hour) - $300
Student Teaching Administration Charge - $300
Paramedicine Administration Charge - $500
RN to BSN Administration Charge - $250
If an employee is using the Tuition Grant or has a dependent enrolled at the University as a traditional undergraduate student, do they pay the Lion Fee?
Traditional undergraduate students enrolled at Lindenwood under the Tuition Grant policy will be responsible for paying the Lion Fee and all other fees out-of-pocket. Fees are not included in the Tuition Grant policy.