Johns Hopkins University Cost: Tuition, Financial Aid, and More

For the 2025–2026 school year, the total estimated Johns Hopkins University cost of attendance is around $91,830 if you’re living on campus as a freshman. Yes, it’s a hefty price tag, but most students don’t actually pay that full amount. Financial aid makes a huge difference.

This guide breaks down the full Johns Hopkins University cost per year, with detailed info on tuition, housing, meal plans, books, personal expenses, and more. You’ll also get a full picture of how financial aid, scholarships, and grants can bring those costs way down.

• Johns Hopkins University Cost of Attendance
• Johns Hopkins Financial Aid
• Johns Hopkins Scholarships and Grants
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Johns Hopkins University Cost of Attendance

The total cost of attendance for a first-year undergraduate living on campus is around $91,830 in 2025–2026. These numbers include tuition, housing, meals, books, personal expenses, and other fees. Here’s the full breakdown of the costs:

This is what it looks like if you’re living on campus as a first-year student. If you live off campus or at home, your costs will shift—especially housing and food—but tuition and fees stay the same. The Johns Hopkins University cost per year varies slightly based on where you live, but this is the baseline for a typical on-campus student.

Johns Hopkins tuition

Tuition is the biggest chunk of your Johns Hopkins University cost. For full-time undergraduates, tuition is $66,670 for 2025–2026. Part-time students pay about $2,222 per credit in 2025–26.

And here’s the key part: tuition is the same for both domestic and international students. So if you’re Googling “Johns Hopkins University tuition fees for international students,” there’s no extra international tuition surcharge. Everyone pays the same.

Also, new students pay a one-time $500 matriculation fee, but no recurring semester-based academic fees. So the Johns Hopkins University cost per year for tuition is a flat $64k–$66k depending on the year.

Johns Hopkins housing

Housing costs vary depending on whether you live on or off campus. For 2025–26, Johns Hopkins uses a housing allowance of $12,450 for on-campus freshmen as part of its estimated cost of attendance. But your actual room cost could be higher or lower, depending on the residence hall and room type you choose.

If you’re staying in JHU dorms, you’ll most likely live in a traditional double or suite-style setup with shared bathrooms. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Fall 2025 – Spring 2026 housing rates by dorm and room type:

As you can see, the Johns Hopkins University cost per year for housing can swing by several thousand dollars depending on what you choose. AMR triple rooms are the most budget-friendly, while apartment-style singles or one-bedroom units top the price range.

If you’re planning to live off campus, Hopkins estimates your annual rent and utilities at $11,762. Of course, what you actually pay will depend on your location, roommates, and lease terms.

So when asking how much it costs to go to Johns Hopkins University, remember that housing alone can take up anywhere from $10,000 to $14,000 of that total, especially if you’re living on campus in a higher-end dorm.

Johns Hopkins meal plans

If you live on campus, having a meal plan is required. Johns Hopkins offers multiple plans for first-year students, all designed to work with the main campus dining halls like Hopkins Café and Nolan’s on 33rd. You can also use meal swipes for grab-and-go items at Charles Street Market or dinners at Levering Kitchens.

The official cost of attendance includes an average meal plan budget of $8,552 for the year, but actual plan costs vary depending on what you pick. Here’s a breakdown of your options:

Here are some highlights:

• Anytime meal plan. $4,678 per semester. This gives you unlimited access to Hopkins Café and Nolan’s on 33rd. You can drop in any time, whether it’s a quick coffee or a full meal. Great for students with unpredictable schedules or frequent gym-goers.
• 21 Meals Per Week plan. $4,276 per semester. You get up to 3 meals per day, 7 days a week. Ideal if you like structured meals and plan to eat on campus most of the time.
• 14 Meals Per Week plan. Also $4,276 per semester. Perfect if you’re a lighter eater, cook occasionally in your room, or plan to go home on weekends. This plan gives more Dining Dollars than the 21-meal plan.

Even though the Johns Hopkins University cost per year uses $8,552 as the standard estimate for meals, the Anytime meal plan is more expensive than that. So if you’re budget-conscious, keep that in mind when choosing.

If you’re living off-campus, JHU assumes you’ll spend about $3,600 per year on groceries, takeout, and occasional campus meals. That’s significantly less than dorm-based plans, but you’ll be responsible for all your own meals and meal prep.

In short, the meal plan you choose can shift your total Johns Hopkins University cost per year by up to $800 or more. It’s one of the areas where you have some control, so choose the one that fits your eating habits and budget best.

Books and supplies

Books and academic supplies cost around $1,300–$1,400 per year. This includes textbooks, software, lab materials, and course-specific fees. You could save a little by renting or buying used books, but it’s smart to keep this number in your budget when calculating the Johns Hopkins University cost per year.

Personal expenses

Expect to spend about $1,500–$1,600 each year on your phone plan, laundry, clothes, toiletries, and occasional nights out. These expenses vary by lifestyle, but they’re part of the full Johns Hopkins experience—and part of your cost.

Other costs

Here are a few more expenses you should account for:

• Transportation. Plan for around $700–$750 per year. This covers travel to and from home, plus local transportation.
• Health fee. There’s a mandatory $900 annual health services fee, even if you have private insurance.
• Matriculation fee. A one-time $500 fee for all new students.
• Course or lab fees. Some classes (especially in science or engineering) may have small additional costs.

Johns Hopkins Financial Aid

Paying for college is a major concern for most families, but at Johns Hopkins, you’re not expected to do it all on your own. The university offers strong financial aid policies that aim to make a Hopkins education affordable without burying you in debt.

Johns Hopkins has a straightforward and generous approach to financial aid. They’re focused on making college affordable for all admitted students, no matter your background or income:

• Need-blind admissions. If you’re a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, DACA recipient, undocumented student, or eligible noncitizen, your financial situation does not affect your chances of getting in. For international applicants, Hopkins is need-aware but still meets full demonstrated need if you’re admitted.
• 100% need met. If your family can’t cover college costs—or even just part of them—Hopkins will fill in the rest.
• No loans. Hopkins financial aid packages don’t include loans. You’ll receive grants and work-study instead, so you can graduate without debt from institutional borrowing.

The numbers speak for themselves

You don’t have to guess whether Hopkins puts real money behind its aid promises. These financial aid numbers make it clear:

• The average need-based scholarship for first-year students at Johns Hopkins is $64,000.
• The university awarded a total of $168 million in need-based scholarships last year.
• About 53% of undergraduates at Hopkins receive need-based financial aid.

The Johns Hopkins University cost can be high at first glance, but the real price tag often drops dramatically once aid is factored in.

Johns Hopkins Scholarships and Grants

Johns Hopkins offers a wide range of scholarships and grants to help make your education more affordable. Some are automatically included in your financial aid offer, while others are awarded based on where you’re from, your background, or academic achievements.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s available:

Need-based scholarships

These scholarships are awarded based on your family’s financial situation, and you don’t need to apply for them separately. Hopkins considers your FAFSA and CSS Profile when building your aid package.

• Hopkins Scholarship. This scholarship is funded through university endowments and awarded to students with demonstrated financial need. It is renewable each year based on your continued eligibility.
• Cummings Scholars Program. This program supports public high school graduates from Baltimore City or Washington, DC who have lived and studied in the area for at least three years. Students with family incomes of $80,000 or less may qualify for a full cost-of-attendance scholarship. Students with incomes between $80,000 and $150,000 may see their expected contribution capped at 10% of family income.
• Clark Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to students with financial need who are pursuing degrees in engineering. It is part of a broader initiative to support future engineers from underserved backgrounds.
• Davis United World College (UWC) Scholars Program. This program is for international students who have graduated from a UWC high school and have demonstrated financial need.
• Hodson Gilliam Success Scholarship. This scholarship supports students who have overcome personal or educational challenges, with a focus on increasing college access for underrepresented groups.

• QuestBridge Scholars Program. Johns Hopkins partners with QuestBridge to offer full scholarships to high-achieving, low-income students through the National College Match program.
• International Scholarship. International students can receive need-based aid through this scholarship, which covers a portion—or sometimes the entirety—of their demonstrated need. Admission for international applicants is need-aware, but Hopkins still commits to meeting full demonstrated need for those admitted.
• Federal Pell Grant. This federal grant is available to U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens with exceptional financial need. It does not have to be repaid and is awarded through the FAFSA.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). This federal grant is awarded to students with the greatest financial need, often in combination with a Pell Grant.
• State Aid. Maryland residents may qualify for state-funded scholarships and grants, depending on income and academic performance. Students should complete the Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) or FAFSA to be considered.

Merit-based scholarships

Merit-based scholarships don’t require a separate application and are awarded based on your academic and personal achievements. Some are awarded during the freshman admissions process and can be renewed annually:

• The Hodson Trust Scholarship. Awarded to high-achieving students; renewal is based on continued academic performance.
• Charles R. Westgate Scholarship in Engineering. This scholarship is specifically for outstanding engineering students and covers a significant portion of tuition.
• National Fellowships Program. Provides support for students pursuing national-level academic awards.
• Army and Air Force ROTC Scholarships. These cover tuition and fees for students enrolled in Reserve Officer Training Corps programs, with a commitment to military service after graduation.

Private scholarships

You can also bring in outside scholarships from private organizations. Hopkins allows freshmen to apply up to $4,500 in private scholarship money before any adjustment is made to your institutional aid. For returning students, that cap goes up to $5,300.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

• These scholarships can reduce your summer savings and work-study expectations first.
• Any amount beyond those limits will reduce your Hopkins Grant on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
• Make sure to report all private scholarships to the Student Financial Support office.

Whether your aid comes from JHU itself or an external organization, scholarships and grants can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket Johns Hopkins University cost per year—and none of it has to be paid back.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much does Johns Hopkins University cost per year for undergraduates?

The Johns Hopkins University cost per year for a first-year undergraduate living on campus is around $91,830 for 2025–2026. This total includes tuition, housing, meals, personal expenses, and more.

2. Is the Johns Hopkins University cost the same for international students?

Yes, Johns Hopkins University tuition fees for international students are the same as for domestic students. Tuition is $66,670, plus additional costs for housing, meals, and other expenses.

3. Do most students pay the full Johns Hopkins University cost?

No, most students do not pay the full Johns Hopkins University cost thanks to generous financial aid. About 53% of undergraduates at Hopkins receive need-based financial aid. The university meets 100% of demonstrated need and offers an average need-based scholarship of around $64,000.

4. Can I lower my Johns Hopkins University cost with outside scholarships?

Yes, you can apply up to $4,500 in outside scholarships as a freshman without reducing your Hopkins Grant. This can help lower your Johns Hopkins University cost per year, especially if you bring in additional awards.

Takeaways

Still trying to make sense of the numbers? Here are the key points to remember about the Johns Hopkins University cost and how financial aid changes the game:

• The Johns Hopkins University cost per year for a freshman living on campus is about $91,830 for 2025–2026. This includes tuition, housing, meals, books, and personal expenses.
• Most students don’t pay that full price. Financial aid covers 100% of demonstrated need, and over half of undergrads receive some form of need-based aid.
• Tuition is the same for domestic and international students, and many generous grants, scholarships, and external awards are available to reduce your actual cost.
• Housing and meal plan choices make a difference. Your room type and meal plan can shift your Johns Hopkins University cost per year by thousands of dollars.

Want help estimating your real Johns Hopkins University cost, reviewing your aid chances, or building a strong application? A college admissions consultant can offer expert, personalized advice to maximize your chances of admission and affordability.