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Let’s be real: looking at the sticker price for a private university in Los Angeles is enough to make anyone’s stomach drop. If you've been eyeing the bluff, you've probably seen the numbers floating around. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the tuition at Loyola Marymount University is officially set at $64,470 for full-time undergraduate students.
That’s a 5.74% jump from last year. It sounds like a lot because, well, it is.
But here’s the thing—hardly anyone actually pays that. Between the "sticker price" and the "net price," there’s a massive gap that most families don't talk about until they're staring at a financial aid award letter. LMU is expensive, yeah, but the way the costs break down—from the $1,190 international student fees to the price of a double in Del Rey North—is more nuanced than a single big number on a website.
Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Costs
When you’re budgeting for LMU, you can’t just look at the tuition. The university's Board of Trustees recently locked in the budget, and it's not just the classes getting pricier.
If you're living on campus, you’re looking at a total estimated cost of attendance (COA) that pushes toward $90,000 to $95,000. That covers the basics: tuition, the mandatory fees, a bed, and the food you’ll eat at the Lair.
The Mandatory "Extras"
You’ve got the $64,470 base tuition for 12-18 units. If you go over 18 units? That’ll cost you an extra $2,691 per unit.
Then come the fees. They feel like paper cuts, but they add up:
- Registration Fee: $65 per semester.
- Student Activity Fee: $144 per semester.
- Student Programming Fee: $107.50 per semester.
- New Student Fee: $490 (a one-time hit for freshmen).
The Housing and Food Situation
Honestly, housing in Westchester is a nightmare, which is why LMU's on-campus rates—even with a 5% increase this year—actually look okay compared to some off-campus apartments.
A standard double in Desmond, Doheny, or Whelan will run you about $13,724 for the year. If you want a bit more space or a newer vibe, the Palm South apartments can climb all the way to $21,528. It’s a wide range. You’ve basically got to decide if having your own kitchen is worth an extra eight grand.
The New Dining Era
The university is switching to Aramark for dining services—the first change in over 50 years. Because of this, meal plans are going up about 7.5%. They’re prepping for an "All-You-Care-to-Eat" model coming in Fall 2026. For now, the standard Plan L costs $6,904 for the year.
If you’re a commuter or living in an apartment, you might opt for a smaller plan like Plan A at $1,392, but most freshmen are locked into the bigger options.
Graduate School is a Different Beast
If you’re coming for a Master’s or a Doctorate, the math changes completely. Graduate tuition isn't a flat rate; it’s billed per unit and depends heavily on your college.
The Seaver College of Science and Engineering and the School of Film and Television (SFTV) are currently at $1,719 per unit. Meanwhile, the College of Business Administration (CBA) programs like the MBA or MS in Accounting are slightly higher at $1,802 per unit.
Then you have the Loyola Law School, which is a whole different animal located downtown. Their tuition for the 2024-2025 year was over $71,000, and that generally trends upward each year.
The Financial Aid Reality Check
This is where the "what most people get wrong" part comes in. LMU’s average financial aid package for first-time students is roughly $24,000 to $25,000.
About 88% to 90% of students receive some form of aid. If you have a high GPA or a killer portfolio for SFTV, merit scholarships can shave a massive chunk off that $64k tuition. These aren't just for the top 1% of the class, either. LMU uses "institutional aid" to attract a diverse student body, so the net price—the actual check your parents write—is often closer to **$65,000 total** (including housing) for those receiving aid, rather than the $94k sticker price.
Important Deadlines for 2026
- FAFSA Priority Deadline: Usually February 1 for returning students and November 1 for early action freshmen.
- Cal Grant Deadline: California residents must submit the GPA Verification Form by March 3.
- Summer Aid: If you’re planning on taking summer classes in 2026, you need to submit a separate Summer Financial Aid Application by April 1, 2026.
Is It Actually Worth It?
That’s the $90,000 question.
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You’re paying for the location, the small class sizes (the 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio is real), and the alumni network in industries like film and tech. If you’re comparing it to USC or Santa Clara, LMU’s tuition hikes have actually been slightly higher recently—5.7% versus the roughly 5% at those other schools.
But LMU doesn't have the same massive endowment as some of those schools, so they rely more on tuition to keep the lights on and the bluff looking pretty.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re serious about LMU, don’t just stare at the tuition page and panic.
- Use the Net Price Calculator: LMU has a specific tool on their financial aid site. Plug in your real tax info and grades. It’s surprisingly accurate.
- Check the Major-Specific Fees: If you’re in the School of Film and Television or Engineering, you’re going to have lab fees that can add hundreds per semester. Factor those in early.
- Apply Early for Merit: You don’t need a separate application for most merit scholarships—you’re automatically considered when you apply for admission. But you must hit the early deadlines.
- Compare Housing Tiers: Don't just pick the newest dorm. Selecting a "Standard" dorm over a "Premium" apartment can save you $7,000 a year, which is basically the cost of your books and food combined.
- Appeal Your Award: If your family's financial situation changed since you filed your FAFSA, LMU has a formal appeal process. They won't always give you more, but they definitely won't if you don't ask.