Tuition & Fees
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The Ailey School’s curriculum-based programs offer the highest caliber of multidisciplinary training while encouraging students to explore their own creative voices. Review each program’s tuition and fee requirements before applying. Accepted students must pay tuition online. Tuition and fees are subject to change.
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 | $1,253 Due upon enrollment (includes registration fee and 10% discount) |
Bi-Annual Plan | $775 | $660 Two installments: The first upon enrollment including fees and the other paid January 15 |
Quarterly Plan | $445 | $330 | $330 | $330 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.
Tuition varies from $1,253/year to $5,773/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.
Payment Plans
Paid In Full Includes $65 registration fee & 10% discount | Bi-Annual Upon Enrollment & January 15 | Quarterly Upon Enrollment, November 1, January 15 & March 15 | Total | |
| Level 1 | $1,825.40 | $978 x 2 | $489 x 4 | $2,071 |
| Level 2B | $2,376.20 | $1,284 x 2 | $642 x 4 | $2,683 |
| Level 2A | $2,864 | $1,555 x 2 | $777.50 x 4 | $3,225 |
| Level 3B | $2,864 | $1,555 x 2 | $777.50 x 4 | $3,225 |
| Level 3A | $3,546.20 | $1,934 x 2 | $967 x 4 | $3,983 |
| Level 4-1, 4-3 | $4,455.20 | $2,439 x 2 | $1,219.50 x 4 | $4,993 |
| Level 4-2, 4-4 | $4,107.80 | $2,246 x 2 | $1,123 x 4 | $4,607 |
| Level 5 | $4,876.40 | $2,673 x 2 | $1,336.50 x 4 | $5,461 |
| Level 6 | $4,876.40 | $2,673 x 2 | $1,336.50 x 4 | $5,461 |
| Level 7 | $5,157.20 | $2,829 x 2 | $1,414.50 x 4 | $5,773 |
*A $65 non-refundable registration fee and $50 payment plan fee are due upon enrollment. Payment plans above 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
$2,401 (when paid in full by April 11, 2025* at 4pm)
$2,516 (when paid in full by May 9, 2025 at 4pm)
Total costs listed include a $65 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. Total costs include a $65 registration fee and $300 advance deposit. Discounts are available if paid by the early payment deadlines.
Housing
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.
2025 Housing costs
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
$2,747 (when paid in full by April 11, 2025* at 4pm)
$2,872 (when paid in full by May 9, 2025 at 4pm)
Total costs listed include a $65 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. Total costs include a $65 registration fee and $300 advance deposit. Discounts are available if paid by the early payment deadlines.
Housing
The Ailey School offers Professional Division students two options for housing, depending on the student's age.
2025 Housing costs
Fordham University’s McMahon Hall (ages 16 to 17): $2,980
Ludlow Residence (ages 18 and over): $2,835
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
| Level 1 | $720 ($360 per semester) |
| Level 2 | $1,020 ($510 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: $30 audition fee (one time), $50 international student fee (one time), $65 registration fee (annually), and $135 physical therapy fee (2x a year, with each semester).
Summer
| Level 1 | $265 (includes $65 registration fee) |
| Level 2 | $390 (includes $65 registration fee) |
This tuition is for the 5-week session only. 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: $30 audition fee (one time).
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 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.
$15,724 ($7,862 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: $30 audition fee (one time), $45 BFA audition fee (one time), $50 international student fee (one time), $65 registration fee (annually), $135 physical therapy fee (biannually, once per semester).
All fees and required tuition 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 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.
Federal financial aid is available for qualifying Certificate and Independent Study Program students.
$13,240 ($6,620 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: $30 audition fee (one time), $45 BFA audition fee (one time), $50 international student fee (one time), $65 registration fee (annually), $135 physical therapy fee (biannually, once per semester).
All fees and required tuition 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 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.
Federal financial aid is available for qualifying Certificate and Independent Study Program students.
Students attending the Ailey/Fordham BFA 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 $270.
How to Pay
Financial Aid
Junior Division
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 [email protected] ATTN: Tuition Assistance.
Professional Division
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?