A Private University Education — at a Price That Makes Sense

Affordability isn’t an afterthought at Trinity at THEARC. Making your education accessible is the whole point. We’ve kept tuition as low as possible because we know our students are working adults, often supporting families, who don’t have room for financial risk.

Tuition at a Glance

  • $195 per credit hour
  • $585 per course (each course = 3 credit hours)
  • $1,170 per semester (recommended pace of 2 courses)

At the recommended pace of two courses per semester, a full Associate’s degree — 61 credit hours, 20 courses — costs approximately $11,895 in tuition total. For a private university degree. That’s not a typo.

For the most current tuition rates, see the School of Professional & Graduate Studies tuition table on Trinity’s Affordability page.

Financial Aid: Your Costs Could Be Even Lower

Most students at THEARC qualify for some form of financial aid. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is your first step, and Trinity’s financial aid team will work with you to identify every option available.

Federal & DC Aid Programs

  • FAFSA grants (Pell Grant and others) — money you don’t have to pay back
  • DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DC TAG) — up to $2,500/year for DC residents
  • DC Mayor’s Scholars Undergraduate Program — up to $4,000/year
  • DC College Access Program (Ward 7 & 8 Scholarship) — up to $12,000/year for residents of Wards 7 and 8
  • DC LEAD Grant — funding for students pursuing careers in education

Employee Tuition Discounts

Employees of the District of Columbia and select partner organizations may qualify for additional tuition discounts. Contact Enrollment Services to find out if your employer is a partner.

Payment Plans

Can’t pay all at once? Trinity offers flexible payment plans so you can spread costs over the semester. Contact Enrollment Services to set one up.

Contact Enrollment Services / Financial Aid:
Phone: (202) 884-9530
Email: EnrollmentServices@TrinityDC.edu
Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM

Any Other Fees?

Here’s an honest look at other potential costs to plan for:

  • Books: Most are free; budget up to $150/course as a buffer
  • Technology: Free Chromebook for eligible students; discounted options available
  • Wi-Fi: Available at THEARC and public libraries; reliable home internet access recommended
  • Course-specific fees: A small number of courses may have fees for lab supplies, software licenses, or printing
  • Childcare: Classes are in the evening, but children cannot attend classes or be left unattended on campus — factor this into your planning if needed

“The ability to apply for FAFSA significantly supported my enrollment in the health services programs. THEARC was also very affordable — and having access to the Tutoring Center and Writing Center was invaluable.”

— Gina Pryor, AA in Health Services graduate

Apply Now — No Application Fee    Talk to Financial Aid    See Current Tuition Rates

Books Are Free for Most Courses

Trinity at THEARC uses open-source textbooks for most courses — meaning no textbook costs for the majority of your classes. We recommend setting aside up to $150 per course as a buffer for courses that may require supplemental materials, but for many students, textbook costs are zero.

Technology Support

You should not have to choose between a laptop and a class. Trinity provides Chromebooks to eligible students in need at no cost. For students who don’t qualify for the free Chromebook program, Trinity has arranged special pricing on laptops and software.