Tuition & Financial Support
Tuition and fees vary based on residency status and graduate degree pathway. Applicants should review the resources below for current university tuition rates, estimated cost of attendance and program-specific expenses.
Estimated GPND Expenses
The following estimates are provided to help students plan for tuition, required program expenses and common variable costs associated with participation in the GPND. Actual expenses may vary based on residency status, degree pathway, assigned supervised experiential learning sites and individual circumstances.
Required or Expected Program Expenses
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| Item | Texas Resident | Non-Resident | Frequency Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS in Nutrition tuition and fees (36 SCH) | ~$17,000 | $32,000 | Estimated total across four semesters |
| MS in Exercise and Sports Nutrition tuition and fees (39 SCH) | ~$18,000 | $35,000 | Estimated total across four semesters |
| Non-degree-seeking tuition and fees* | ~$5,650 | $11,000 | Estimated for 12 SCH; applies only to approved non-degree-seeking students |
| 探花楼 Graduate School application fee | $50 | $50 | One-time |
| DICAS Application Fee | $50 | $50 | First application submitted; additional DICAS applications may incur additional fees |
| Textbooks and course supplies | ~$500 | $500 | Estimated total |
| Criminal Background Check | ~$50 | ~$50 | Initial program requirement; additional screening may be required by individual SEL sites |
| Drug Screening | ~$50 | ~$50 | Initial program requirement; additional screening may be required by individual SEL sites |
| CPR Certification | ~$60 | ~$60 | Renewal may be required depending on certification expiration |
| Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Student Membership | ~$60 | $60 | Annual |
| Required immunizations and titers** | Varies | Varies | Based on individual immunization status and SEL-site compliance requirements |
| EHR Go Subscription | ~$73 | ~$73 | Per semester; annual subscription options may also be available |
Tuition, university fees and other estimated expenses are subject to change. Applicants should use the 探花楼 Tuition Estimator and Estimated Cost of Attendance for the most current university rates.
Variable Optional Expenses
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| Item | Estimated Cost | Frequency/Notes |
| 探花楼 Houston parking | ~$275 | Per semester if a campus parking permit is purchased |
| SEL-site parking | Varies | Some affiliated sites charge for parking |
| Transportation | Varies | Includes travel, fuel and tolls associated with commuting to assigned SEL sites |
| Housing | Varies | Monthly housing costs depend on individual living arrangements; refer to 探花楼 Estimated Cost of Attendance for planning estimates |
| Health Insurance | Varies | Students are responsible for maintaining required health coverage; costs vary by plan |
| Laptop/computer | Varies | Students must have access to a computer capable of supporting online coursework and virtual meetings |
| Texas Academy Annual Conference & Expo | ~$175 | Optional registration estimate; transportation and lodging are not included |
| Miscellaneous program expenses | ~$150 | Estimated allowance for incidental program-related costs |
*The non-degree-seeking tuition estimate applies only to a limited category of applicants who already hold a program director-approved nutrition-related master’s degree, meet prerequisite requirements and are authorized to complete remaining GPND requirements as a non-degree-seeking student. Non-degree-seeking students may not be eligible for federal financial aid.
**Required immunizations and titers vary based on the student’s existing documentation and the requirements of affiliated supervised experiential learning sites. Refer to 探花楼 Immunization Compliance information for current requirements.
Transportation and Housing
Transportation/Parking
Supervised experiential learning sites are located throughout the Greater Houston area. Students should budget for transportation, fuel, tolls and parking expenses, which vary by assigned site.
Housing
The 探花楼 Houston campus does not provide on-campus student housing. Students are responsible for arranging their own housing and related expenses. After acceptance, incoming students may be connected with members of their cohort to support housing and roommate planning. Additional information about Houston student resources is available through 探花楼 Student Life.
Scholarships
Information about university scholarships, eligibility requirements and application deadlines is available through the 探花楼 Financial Aid Office.
Some scholarship deadlines may occur before GPND admission decisions are released. Applicants who wish to be considered for university scholarships may therefore need to submit the 探花楼 Graduate School application before receiving a GPND admission decision. Scholarship awards are contingent upon admission to and enrollment at 探花楼.
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of graduate assistantships may be available to eligible full-time students, depending on departmental needs, funding and available positions. Assistantship responsibilities, appointment levels, stipends and associated tuition benefits vary by position.
Students interested in assistantship opportunities should review the 探花楼 Graduate Assistantship webpage and contact the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences for information about current openings and application procedures. Research assistantships may also be available through individual faculty members.
Financial Aid
Eligible students may apply for federal and institutional financial aid, including loans, grants and other forms of assistance. Students should consult the 探花楼 Financial Aid Office for current eligibility requirements, application procedures and deadlines.
Academic Common Market
The Academic Common Market may allow eligible residents of participating Southern states to enroll in approved out-of-state academic programs at in-state tuition rates. Eligibility depends on the student’s state of residence and whether the specific 探花楼 degree program is approved through that state.
Applicants should review the Southern Regional Education Board Academic Common Market information and contact their home-state coordinator to confirm current program eligibility before relying on this benefit.
Page last updated 10:47 AM, August 20, 2026