<p>Out of state tuition at the University of Michigan is comparable to that of any private university in the US. And that’s ok, you go to UM for a good education and terrific “go blue” experience. But the school has some financial policies that are unjust and not found in any other comparable school around the country.</p>
<p>If your major requires field work experience (eg, geoscience, environmental studies, geology,…) you will find that (1) the field experience courses are only offered in teh summer session, and (2) you get charged an additional full summer term term tuition for the one course. In other institutions it is appreciated that this is inherently unfair and the course credits for the <em>mandatory</em> summer course are charged against the following fall (or preceding spring) term.</p>
<p>SO if you happen to be interested in one of those majors, add another 10K to your tab… if you choose U of M.</p>
<p>Limitcycle, an 8 week spring or summer session for OSS costs that for tuition and lower for in-state. How many credits are you taking/earning during that session? When my oldest wanted to take a summer session at his out of state public, I told him to maximize the costs and not take just one class. If you can do/take more than a field class you should do so since you might be paying the same tuition for 1 field class as you would for taking the field class plus some other classes. I don’t have time to look up UofM’s policy, but if you haven’t you should.</p>
<p>Michigan’s charge for a 6-9 credit half-term (summer) is exactly half that of a 12-18 credit full-term (fall or winter).</p>
<p>[Tuition</a> and Registration Fees - Office of the Registrar](<a href=“http://www.ro.umich.edu/tuition/tuition-fees.php]Tuition”>Tuition & Fees | Office of the Registrar)</p>
<p>Of course, a student whose major has summer-only courses can do things like take an additional summer and graduate after seven semesters and two summers for the same cost as eight semesters (maybe slightly less cost if living expenses are lower in the summer due to lower demand for housing normally occupied by students).</p>
<p>^^My middle son is doing that (not at UofM) but will graduate early and the summer sessions are cheaper - his college has 2 summer sessions with 6-9 credits each summer session and is less expensive than 12-18 credits during a normal semester. His lease on his apartment is all year so housing is neutral. So, yes. agree UCB, if you swing it correctly it correctly summer sessions can work in your favor. </p>
<p>It’s the possible the OP is looking at a semester away from campus at the biological station or an internship or co-op type program but again, much would depend on what credits are being earned for the tuition being paid.</p>
<p>Something else to watch for, Junior+ tuition is higher than Sophomore- tuition. However, because of how they define Junior status, most people come in starting as “Juniors” or become “Juniors” after only one or two semesters. The tuition jump can be a lot, especially in you’re in CoE. For instate it’s a difference of a little over $2000/semester.</p>
<p>There is nothing “unfair” about UMich billing for this at all. It is their policy. If you do not like the schedule and fee structure for these field study courses at UMich, go to one of the other schools offering these at no additional cost.</p>