Tuition & Fees
Hero Credit: Photo by Nir Arieli
Hero Credit: Photo by Nir Arieli
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A $65 annual registration fee is required for all students upon enrollment and a $50 fee is added if you choose to pay via a payment plan.
You can save 10% when you pay tuition in full upon enrollment.
Junior Division
| Paid in Full | $1,335.90 Due upon enrollment (includes registration fee and 10% discount) |
| Bi-Annual Plan | $825.50 | $700.50 Two installments: The first upon enrollment including fees and the other paid January 15 |
| Quarterly Plan | $475.25 | $350.25 | $350.25 | $350.25 Four installments: The first upon enrollment including fees and the others paid November 1, January 15, and March 15 |
Tuition and fees are subject to change. All enrolling students are committing to the entire school year. Written notice is needed to withdraw. After withdrawing the refund amount is based on the policy noted here.
This is a tuition-free program, fees are nominal.
2026-27 School Year
Tuition varies from $1,401/year to $6,002/year depending on level and number of classes per week. The minimum payment required to complete registration is the first tuition installment and required fees.
Paid In Full Includes $75 registration fee & 10% discount | Bi-Annual* Upon Enrollment & January 15 | Quarterly* Upon Enrollment, November 1, January 15 & March 15 | Total | |
| Level 1 | $1,941.60 | $1037 x 2 | $518.50 x 4 | $2,199 |
| Level 2B | $2,527.50 | $1,362.50 x 2 | $681.25 x 4 | $2,850 |
| Level 2A | $3,044.10 | $1,649.50 x 2 | $824.75 x 4 | $3,424 |
| Level 3B | $3,044.10 | $1,649.50 x 2 | $824.75 x 4 | $3,424 |
| Level 3A | $3,768.60 | $2,052 x 2 | $1,026 x 4 | $4,229 |
| Level 4-1, 4-3 | $4,732.50 | $2,587.50 x 2 | $1,293.75 x 4 | $5,300 |
| Level 4-2, 4-4 | $4,364.40 | $2,383 x 2 | $1,191.50 x 4 | $4,891 |
| Level 5 | $5,178.90 | $2,835.50 x 2 | $1,417.75 x 4 | $5,796 |
| Level 6 | $5,476.80 | $3,001 x 2 | $1,500.50 x 4 | $6,127 |
| Level 7 | $5,476.80 | $3,001 x 2 | $1,500.50 x 4 | $6,127 |
*A $75 non-refundable registration fee and $50 payment plan fee are due upon enrollment. Amounts listed above under the bi-annual and quarterly payment plan do not include these fees.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. All enrolling students are committing to the entire school year. Written notice is needed to withdraw. After withdrawing the refund amount is based on the policy noted here.
Tuition 2027
$2,606 (when paid in full by April 9, 2027* at 4pm, Eastern Standard Time)
$2,721 (when paid in full by May 7, 2027 at 4pm, Eastern Standard Time)
Total costs listed include a $95 registration fee and $300 advance deposit. *Discounts are available if paid by the early payment deadlines.
There is no guarantee that the Intensive will not fill to capacity before the final payment deadlines. Therefore, a non-refundable/non-transferrable $300 deposit is required two weeks after acceptance to reserve a place. We strongly recommend making the non-refundable deposit as early as possible. Discounts are available if paid by the early payment deadlines.
Summer 2027 Scholarship fees
Students may be awarded a merit-based scholarship based on their audition. Scholarship awards cover the cost of tuition only. Students pay the nominal participation fees listed below only. Housing costs are not included.
| Level 1 | $326 (includes $95 registration fee) |
| Level 2 | $463 (includes $95 registration fee) |
Fees listed above are for the 4-week session only and do not include a $35 audition fee. Housing costs are the sole responsibility of the award recipient.
Scholarship fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable and are due in full two weeks after notification of acceptance.
All fees are subject to change. All fees and required deposits are non-refundable and will be deducted from the total tuition refund. Refunds will be pro-rated according to The Ailey School's published refund policy. To officially withdraw from the program, written notice of withdrawal must be sent to Bursar@ailey.org. The tuition charge will be assessed according to the date that notice is received by the Bursar's office and the School's published refund policy.
The Ailey School offers summer housing at Fordham University’s McMahon Hall, a short distance from the studios. A chaperone program is offered for students ages 14 to 15. Resident assistants also live on-site to monitor students and plan activities on weekends and evenings.
2026 Housing costs
(2027 costs TBD)
Fordham University’s McMahon Hall (ages 14 to 15): $2,570
Directions on how to apply for summer housing are sent to accepted students after they have made a tuition deposit. Space is limited—we strongly recommend that you reserve housing as early as possible!
Students must be 14 years of age or older by June 23 (there are NO exceptions to this policy). It is not possible to apply for housing prior to being accepted and submitting a tuition deposit.
This program is a part of the New York City Public Schools. Additional costs may apply.
Professional Division
Tuition 2027
$2,977 (when paid in full by April 9, 2027* at 4pm, Eastern Standard Time)
$3,102 (when paid in full by May 7, 2027 at 4pm, Eastern Standard Time)
Total costs listed include a $95 registration fee and $300 advance deposit. *Discounts are available if paid by the early payment deadlines.
There is no guarantee that the Intensive will not fill to capacity before the final payment deadlines. Therefore, a non-refundable $300 deposit is required two weeks after acceptance to reserve a place. We strongly recommend making the non-refundable deposit as early as possible. Discounts are available if paid by the early payment deadlines.
All fees are subject to change. All fees and required deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable and will be deducted from the total tuition refund. Refunds will be pro-rated according to The Ailey School's published refund policy. To officially withdraw from the program, written notice of withdrawal must be sent to Bursar@ailey.org. The tuition charge will be assessed according to the date that notice is received by the Bursar's office and the School's published refund policy.
The Ailey School offers Professional Division students two options for housing, depending on the student's age.
2026 Housing costs
(2027 Housing costs TBD)
Fordham University’s McMahon Hall (ages 16 to 17): $2,980
Ludlow Residence (ages 18 and over): TBD
Directions on how to apply for summer housing are sent to accepted students after they have made a tuition deposit. Space is limited—we strongly recommend that you reserve housing as early as possible!
Students must be 16 years of age or older for McMahon Hall and 18 years of age or older for the Ludlow Residence by June 23 (there are NO exceptions to this policy). It is not possible to apply for housing prior to being accepted and submitting a tuition deposit.
School Year- 2027-2028
| Level 1 | $794 ($397 per semester) |
| Level 2 | $1,102 ($551 per semester) |
| Level 3 | $8,591 ($4295.50 per semester) |
Scholarship awards cover tuition only. Students pay nominal participation fees only. Housing costs are the sole responsibility of the award recipient. Does not include other fees: $35 audition fee (one time), $75 international student fee (one time), $95 registration fee (annually), and $140 physical therapy fee (2x a year, with each semester). Scholarship program participants are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid or Veteran Benefits.
Summer Scholarship 2027
Students may be awarded a merit-based scholarship based on their audition. Scholarship awards cover the cost of tuition only. Students pay the nominal participation fees listed below only. Housing costs are not included.
| Level 1 | $360 (includes $95 registration fee) |
| Level 2 | $516 (includes $95 registration fee) |
Fees listed above are for the 5-week session only and do not include a $35 audition fee. Housing costs are the sole responsibility of the award recipient.
Scholarship fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable and are due in full two weeks after notification of acceptance. Federal Financial Aid is not applicable during the summer.
All fees are subject to change. All fees and required deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable and will be deducted from the total tuition refund. Refunds will be pro-rated according to The Ailey School's published refund policy. To officially withdraw from the program, written notice of withdrawal must be sent to Bursar@ailey.org. The tuition charge will be assessed according to the date that notice is received by the Bursar's office and the School's published refund policy.
School Year- 2027-2028
$17,182 ($8,591 per semester)
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Refunds are issued according to The Ailey School’s published refund policy. Does not include other fees: $35 audition fee (one time), $45 BFA audition fee (one time), $75 international student fee (one time), $95 registration fee (annually), $140 physical therapy fee (biannually, once per semester).
All fees and required tuition deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable and will be deducted from the total tuition refund. Refunds will be pro-rated according to The Ailey School's published refund policy. To obtain an official withdrawal, students must submit a Withdrawal Form to their Faculty Advisor, who will then submit it to the School Directors. The tuition charge will be assessed according to the student's last date of attendance and the School's published refund policy. If you receive Federal Financial Aid you may owe a cash payment to The Ailey School or the Federal Government by withdrawing from school. You have not “earned” the aid you have received until you complete 60% of the term in which you receive aid. The amount of aid that you can keep (i.e., earned) is calculated as follows: Aid You Can Keep = (No. of Days Completed ÷ No. of Days in the Term Including Weekends) x Aid Received.
Cost of Attendance 2026-2027*
(2027-2028 COA- TBD)
*Cost of Attendance estimates are based on the The Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) Family Budget Calculator, for the NYC metro area and assume a student’s moderate standard of living. Our federal financial aid packaging refers to these rates to give students adequate access to available funds. Compared with the federal poverty line and the Supplemental Poverty Measure, EPI’s family budgets provide a more accurate measure by location.
Federal financial aid is available for qualifying Certificate and Independent Study Program students.
School Year- 2027-2028
$14,466 ($7,233 per semester)
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Refunds are issued according to The Ailey School’s published refund policy. Does not include other fees: $35 audition fee (one time), $45 BFA audition fee (one time), $75 international student fee (one time), $95 registration fee (annually), $140 physical therapy fee (biannually, once per semester).
All fees and required tuition deposits are non-refundable and non-transferrable and will be deducted from the total tuition refund. Refunds will be pro-rated according to The Ailey School's published refund policy. To obtain an official withdrawal, students must submit a Withdrawal Form to their Faculty Advisor, who will then submit it to the School Directors. The tuition charge will be assessed according to the student's last date of attendance and the School's published refund policy. If you receive Federal Financial Aid you may owe a cash payment to The Ailey School or the Federal Government by withdrawing from school. You have not “earned” the aid you have received until you complete 60% of the term in which you receive aid. The amount of aid that you can keep (i.e., earned) is calculated as follows: Aid You Can Keep = (No. of Days Completed ÷ No. of Days in the Term Including Weekends) x Aid Received.
Cost of Attendance 2026-2027*
(2027-2028 COA- TBD)
*Cost of Attendance estimates are based on the The Economic Policy Institute’s (EPI) Family Budget Calculator, for the NYC metro area and assume a student’s moderate standard of living. Our federal financial aid packaging refers to these rates to give students adequate access to available funds. Compared with the federal poverty line and the Supplemental Poverty Measure, EPI’s family budgets provide a more accurate measure by location.
Federal financial aid is available for qualifying Certificate and Independent Study Program students.
Students attending the Ailey/Fordham BFA in Dance program pay tuition directly to Fordham University. Please visit Fordham University's website for information on tuition and fees.
The only fees paid to The Ailey School are an annual physical therapy fee of $280.
How to Pay
Financial Aid
Partial Tuition Assistance is available for students re-enrolling in Levels III and above and is awarded based on need, attendance record, and student progress. To request an application for tuition assistance, please email juniordivisionregistrar@alvinailey.org ATTN: Tuition Assistance.
Once per year, to fulfill your payment requirements, you must sign and return your Aid Offer Letter. (This letter is sent to you after requesting Federal Aid through your FAFSA each year.) The Bursar will use your signed Aid Offer Letter to reduce the out-of-pocket payment(s) normally required before classes start.
If a disbursement is expected for your cost of living, the Bursar will contact the aid recipient directly when payment is available, usually about a month after the first day of class.
Questions?