Families comparing summer pre-college programs often find that the advertised price covers only part of the experience. At Tulane Pre-College Programs, tuition is tied to two choices: whether a student takes an enrichment or credit-bearing course, and whether the student attends as a commuter or a residential participant. Our tuition is one flat rate per session that covers course instruction, all course supplies and materials, daily college workshops, course field excursions, and campus dining, with residential rates also covering a room in a Tulane residence hall as well as evening and weekend programming.
Keep reading to learn more about our pre-college program tuition, or get in touch with our office by emailing summer@tulane.edu or calling (504) 314-7619 to ask any questions you may have.
Summer 2027 Tuition for Tulane Pre-College Programs
Tuition cost depends upon the course and experience type for Tulane Pre-College Programs, as shown below. There is no fee to apply, and financial aid awards are communicated with admission decisions.
| Experience | Length | Tuition | Core Inclusions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commuter Enrichment | 1 week | $995 | Course instruction, supplies and materials, daily college workshop, lunch at the Malkin Sacks Commons, course field excursions, and afternoon social programming |
| Commuter Credit-Bearing | 2 weeks | $2,595 | Everything from the commuter enrichment experience, plus a college-level course carrying three Tulane credits and an official transcript |
| Residential Enrichment | 2 weeks | $5,795 | Two enrichment courses, supplies and materials, campus housing, dining, evening activities, and weekend excursions |
| Residential Credit-Bearing | 2 weeks | $6,795 | One credit-bearing course, supplies and materials, campus housing, dining, evening activities, and weekend excursions |
Families may request financial aid within the application itself. Tulane Pre-College offers a limited number of need-based scholarships to admitted students, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. More information about our current tuition rates can be found on our Tuition & Financial Aid page, along with details about our opportunities for aid.
What Every Tulane Pre-College Tuition Rate Covers
Regardless of format, tuition covers the academic program itself for all Tulane Pre-College Programs. All course supplies and materials are included with the cost of the program as well, so students don’t need to shop for lab kits, studio materials, or texts before they arrive.
Every Tulane Pre-College student also receives:
- A daily college resource workshop covering applications and the transition to college
- Classes from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a lunch break
- Optional drop-in social programming from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays
- A Tulane email account and access to Tulane’s academic systems
- Either three Tulane credits and an official transcript for credit-bearing courses, or a certificate of completion for enrichment courses
What Is Included in the Commuter Rate for Tulane Pre-College Programs?
Commuter students in Tulane Pre-College Programs engage in the same academic programming as residential students. Lunch at the Malkin Sacks Commons, which has options for all dietary needs, is included in tuition. Commuters may arrive as early as 8:30 a.m. and use study spaces in the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, along with drop-in social programming after class until 5:30 p.m.
What Else Is Covered by the Residential Tuition Rate for Tulane Pre-College Programs?
Tulane Pre-College residential students live in a single-point-of-entry residence hall with a roommate, eat at the Malkin Sacks Commons, and use university facilities including the Reily Student Recreation Center, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, and the Lavin-Bernick Center. Live-in professional staff supervise the community, and Tulane students serve as mentors. Co-curricular programming, evening activities, and weekend excursions round out the two-week session, described in greater detail on our Residential Student Experience page.
A Few Costs to Confirm Before You Enroll
There are a few items that fall outside the standard tuition figure to be aware of:
- Students who attend more than one course or session pay additional fees for subsequent sessions.
- Families of residential students arrange their own travel to New Orleans using the travel guidance Tulane Pre-College provides.
- Families should set a spending money budget before students arrive, since souvenirs, Tulane merch from the bookstore, and other personal purchases fall outside tuition.
Understanding what a price covers is one of the standard steps counselors recommend when families evaluate options, a point echoed in Forbes’ reporting on competitive academic summer programs. If you think of anything not listed here, our office can answer your questions at summer@tulane.edu or (504) 314-7619.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Pre-College Program Tuition
Are meals included in Tulane Pre-College tuition?
Yes. Lunch at the Malkin Sacks Commons is included in tuition for Tulane Pre-College commuter students, and residential participants also dine at the Commons, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with vegan options at every meal. Students also receive Wavebuck$ to spend on snacks at on-campus dining locations like PJ’s and QuickEats.
Do I have to buy course materials for Tulane Pre-College Programs separately?
No. All course supplies and materials are included with the cost of the program.
Is there an application fee for pre-college programs?
While some pre-college programs may charge an application fee, Tulane Pre-College has no cost to apply, making the application process as accessible as possible.
Does pre-college program tuition include college credit?
Not always. Our credit-bearing courses grant three college credits and an official Tulane transcript, while our enrichment courses are noncredit and end with a certificate of completion.
When is tuition due for Tulane Pre-College Programs?
Admitted students pay a 10% non-refundable deposit within two weeks of accepting the offer of admission, then submit the remaining program payment by May 14. Payments must be made through the student portal or parent portal. You can find more details about our financial aid and other frequently asked questions on our program FAQs page.