Block Tuition
At the beginning of the Fall 2022 semester, DBU was thrilled to launch a new block tuition model that will enhance the student learning experience while potentially accelerating the graduation for students and potentially reducing the overall cost of a degree.
For undergraduate students taking between 12-18 hours, students will be charged a block-rate per semester for the fall semester and also for the spring semester.
Summer classes are charged on a per-credit-hour basis, and part-time students taking below 12 hours will be charged on a per-credit-hour basis.
For those students taking above 18 hours, you will be charged the block tuition rate and then will pay the per-credit-hour rate for any additional hours above 18.
The spring semester block consists of courses that are considered winter term and spring term. The fall semester block consists of August mini terms, Thanksgiving mini terms, and the fall term. Summer and May mini term courses are not included in any block tuition calculations
Benefits of Block Tuition
Increased Flexibility
The new block tuition model allows students to choose their 12-18 credit hours over the course of expanded semester offerings.
For those taking courses in the fall, you can select your classes from among our many August mini-term offerings, fall long-semester offerings, fall 8-week offerings, and even fall break offerings.
For those taking courses in the spring, you can choose from among our many winter term courses, as well as the long-semester spring courses, spring 8-week courses, and spring break courses.
Moves Students towards Graduation Quicker
By averaging at least 15 hours per semester, students can dramatically decrease the amount of time that they are in school and can accelerate their graduation. This means that you cannot only potentially save money in the long-term by graduating on time or even a semester early, but you are able to earn your degree and necessary job skills to begin your career earlier.
Improves Graduation Rates
In many cases, students who maintain at least 15 hours per semester are more likely to move along their degree plan with a higher GPA and also graduate on-time, if not earlier. This is especially true for students who enter into DBU with hours earned from community colleges and/or dual-credit programs, such as DBU's Pre-College Academy. By accelerating the time to graduate, students are able to more quickly decide what their next stage is, whether that be entering the job field; pursuing graduate-level education in business, teaching, or the arts; or pursuing a professional degree, such as law school, medical school, or engineering school.
Simplifies the Overall Cost of Education
Over the years, many students have described that it has been challenging to predict their annual cost of tuition because many factors may play into it, namely how many courses they take each semester. With the block tuition model, students can easily identify the overall cost for the year and are able to more clearly see how much scholarship and grant aid apply to their bill, thus giving them a clear bottom line even before registration.
Opens the Door to Travel Trips
One of the most exciting aspects of the block tuition model is the ability for students to take advantage of DBU's Global Studies program, which provides opportunities to travel domestically or abroad and earn college credit while also exploring some of the amazing wonders of our world. Tuition cost for any travel trips that take place during the block tuition timeframes have already been paid, meaning that you do not have to add any extra cost for your semester learning. If you want to take 12 hours for the fall and add a trip to Boston at Fall Break, your only cost is the travel fee because the tuition cost is a part of your block price. For more details about this amazing perk of the program, please contact your advisor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Effective Fall 2022, DBU is moving to a block tuition model. Under block tuition, undergraduate students taking 12-18 credit hours in either the fall or the winter/spring semesters will pay a fixed tuition rate of $19,170 based on 2024-25 tuition rates.
Students taking less than 12 credit hours will continue to pay $1,278 per credit hour based on 2024-25 tuition rates. Students taking more than 18 credit hours will pay the block tuition rate plus $1,278 per-credit-hour charge for the hours above 18 credit hours.
Many private universities in Texas employ block tuition, and for those students taking full advantage of the plan, it helps students shorten the length of time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree and streamlines the financial planning process by simplifying the cost of a DBU degree.
Block tuition is one part of a broader student success strategy. Block tuition provides a financial incentive to graduate in four or fewer years and provide those that do a reduced cost of attendance. Graduating in four years also saves on other educational expenses and increases students’ earning potential by allowing them to enter the workforce sooner.
A students’ financial aid package adjusts when students add or drop classes under the per credit hour tuition model. With block tuition, students that add/drop classes but maintain at least 12 credit hours will not see a change in their financial aid award.
Students who enroll part-time (less than 12 credit hours) already receive modified aid awards compared to students attending full-time due to lower tuition costs and financial aid requirements. These students will see no change in their financial aid awards.
After accepting their initial financial aid award, students who add or drop classes may see changes in their financial aid package. Changes in tuition costs based on the number of credit hours enrolled will impact some students. The exact change will depend on each student’s specific financial aid package. However, the block tuition model will minimize how many students will be affected by changes to their financial aid package because of add/drop.
Students who receive a percentage-based on per credit-hour-based scholarship will be awarded based on an assumed credit load of 30 credit hours across the fall and winter/spring semesters.
The block tuition rate applies only to undergraduate students taking 12-18 credit hours toward a specific degree during the fall or winter/spring semesters.
Those undergraduate students taking less than 12 hours and graduate students will not be charged the block tuition rate.
If a student maintains 12-18 undergraduate credit hours during either fall or winter/spring semesters, adding or dropping courses within that range will not change their tuition costs prior to the first day of classes. After the first-class meeting, students are subject to the published partial tuition refund policy located on the Cashier's Refund Webpage.
Suppose a student drops below 12 credit hours during the add/drop period or after the first day of classes. In that case, DBU will adjust the student’s bill to remove the block tuition charge and reflect a per-credit hour charge for the remaining enrolled classes.
Don’t worry! No action is needed on your part. By June 1st your student account will be updated to reflect the new block tuition rate charges. If you have already signed up for a payment plan, your payment plan will be automatically updated to reflect the new block tuition as well.
The block tuition model can save students more than $6,000 per year. For instance, students who take 18 hours in the fall and the winter/spring term will pay the equivalent of taking 30 credit hours based on the previous per credit hour tuition model.
Students can graduate sooner and reduce their overall tuition cost by taking advantage of the flexibility to take up to 18 hours per semester. The block tuition model will also allow students to get a head start on a graduate degree or entering the workforce.
Block tuition only applies to undergraduate classes taken for credit. Graduate-level courses or courses taken for Audit purposes will continue to be billed by credit hour.
Accelerated degree program students will be billed on a case-by-case basis according to the number of undergraduate and graduate hours taken within a given semester. Accelerated degree students should contact the Cashier’s Office with any questions about tuition charges for blended semesters where they are taking both undergraduate and graduate courses.
Students with 100% tuition covered by Ch. 33 (Post-9/11 + Yellow Ribbon Program) or Ch. 31 (VR&E) benefits should not experience any adverse effects to their tuition coverage.
Students seeking approval for Ch. 31 (VR&E) should consult with the VA School Certifying Officials (SCOs) in Military & Veteran Services to determine if their enrollment goals will exceed the annual cost threshold of their Voc-Rehab Counselor (VRC) PO authorization.
Students with less than 100% Ch. 33 tuition entitlement or other VA benefits that do not pay anything towards cost of tuition (Ch. 30 MGIB-AD, Ch. 35 DEA, Ch. 1606 MGIB-SR) should review goals with the VA School Certifying Officials in Military & Veteran Services as well as the designated military point of contact in Financial Aid.
Regardless of VA/military benefits, all students are strongly encouraged to pursue any/all additional financial aid (institutional awards, private scholarships, grants, etc.).
2024-2025
| Enrolled Hours | Block Tuition | Average Tuition Rate Per Hour |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | $19,170.00 | $1,597.50 |
| 12.5 | $19,170.00 | $1,533.60 |
| 13 | $19,170.00 | $1,474.62 |
| 13.5 | $19,170.00 | $1,420.00 |
| 14 | $19,170.00 | $1,369.29 |
| 14.5 | $19,170.00 | $1,322.07 |
| 15 | $19,170.00 | $1,278.00 |
| 15.5 | $19,170.00 | $1,236.77 |
| 16 | $19,170.00 | $1,198.13 |
| 16.5 | $19,170.00 | $1,161.82 |
| 17 | $19,170.00 | $1,127.65 |
| 17.5 | $19,170.00 | $1,095.43 |
| 18 | $19,170.00 | $1,065.00 |
| 18.5 | $19,170.00 | $1,036.22 |
| 19 | $19,170.00 | $1,008.95 |
| 19.5 | $19,170.00 | $983.08 |
| 20 | $19,170.00 | $958.50 |
| 20.5 | $19,170.00 | $935.12 |
| 21 | $19,170.00 | $912.86 |
If you have any questions about Block Tuition or about your account, please contact the Cashier's Office at (214) 333-5336 or cashier@dbu.edu.