For Virginia-domiciled students, tuition and fees rose from $72,200 in 2022–23 to $75,600 in 2023–24, marking a 4.7% increase. The following year saw another 4.1% rise to $78,700 for the Class of 2026 (2024–25), and by 2025–26, the tuition had increased to $79,598, a more modest 1.1% year-over-year jump.
In this in-depth cost trend analysis of Darden MBA, we cover cost trends in:
Tuition Fee Increase – At a Moderate 12.5% over four years
Over four years, this results in a total tuition hike of $7,398, or approximately 10.24%.
For non-Virginia students, tuition and fees followed a similar pattern, increasing from $75,200 in 2022–23 to $78,600 in 2023–24 (4.53%), then to $81,700 in 2024–25 (3.94%), and finally to $84,598 in 2025–26 (3.54%). This four-year span reflects a total increase of $9,398 or 12.5%.
International students experienced a nearly identical trajectory, with tuition and fees rising from $75,400 in 2022–23 to $78,800 in 2023–24 (4.5%), $81,940 in 2024–25 (3.98%), and $84,838 in 2025–26 (3.53%), totaling a 12.5% increase over the four years.
Living Expense Increase – 27.64% over four years: The high inflation Expense
Living expenses, which include room, board, and miscellaneous personal costs, have seen the most significant growth. The combined cost of living rose from $19,720 in 2022–23 to $22,870 in 2023–24, a sharp 15.97% increase. This was followed by a 7.43% rise in 2024–25 to $24,570 and another 2.44% increase to $25,170 in 2025–26.
Across four years, the total increase in living expenses amounted to $5,450, or 27.64%, reflecting higher housing and food costs in Charlottesville.
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Health Insurance Cost Increase – 20.9% over four years
Health insurance costs have also risen each year. The Aetna student health plan cost $3,309 in 2022–23, increasing by 11% to $3,673 in 2023–24. This remained flat in 2024–25 but rose again to $4,000 in 2025–26, a total increase of 20.9% over four years. The cost of required technology (computer) also went from $1,600 to $2,000 during the same period (25% increase), though this category remained unchanged after 2024–25.
Transportation Cost Increase – 80% Jump then Flat
Transportation costs doubled in the first year, jumping from $1,000 in 2022–23 to $1,800 in 2023–24 (80%), and then remained flat through 2025–26.
Federal Loan Fees - 20.6% over four years
Federal loan fees fluctuated slightly, decreasing from $2,268 to $2,108 in 2023–24 (–7.06%), then rising gradually to $2,170 in 2024–25 (2.94%) and to $2,618 in 2025–26 (20.65% year-over-year).
Total Cost of Attendance – 15 to 16% Increase over Four years
As a result of these year-on-year increases, the total cost of attendance for Virginia-domiciled students rose from $101,197 in 2022–23 to $108,951 in 2023–24 (7.66%), $114,013 in 2024–25 (4.65%), and finally $116,286 in 2025–26 (2%). This represents a total increase of 14.89% over four years.
For non-Virginia students, the cost rose from $104,197 in 2022–23 to $111,951 in 2023–24 (7.44%), $117,013 in 2024–25 (4.52%), and $121,286 in 2025–26 (3.65%), showing an overall increase of 16.39%.
International students saw their cost of attendance increase from $105,129 in 2022–23 to $112,243 in 2023–24 (6.76%), then to $117,283 in 2024–25 (4.49%), and finally to $121,108 in 2025–26 (3.26%), resulting in a total four-year increase of 15.2%.
| Expenses | Class of 2024 (2022-23) | Class of 2025 (2023-24) | Class of 2026 (2024-25) |
| Tuition & Fees (Virginia Domicile) | $72,200 | $75,600 | $78,700 |
| Tuition & Fees (Non-Virginia Domicile) | $75,200 | $78,600 | $81,700 |
| Tuition & Fees (International Students) | $75,400 | $78,800 | $81,940 |
| Darden MBA Case Fees | $1,100 | $1,100 | $1,100 |
| Aetna Student Health Insurance | $3,309 | $3,673 | $3,673 |
| Living Expenses | $19,720 | $22,870 | $24,570 |
| Computer | $1,600 | $1,800 | $2,000 |
| Transportation | $1,000 | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Federal Loan Fees | $2,268 | $2,108 | $2,170 |
| Total Cost of Attendance | $101,197 (For Virginia Domicile); $104,197 (for non-Virginian Domicile); $105,129 (For International Students) | $108,951 (For Virginia Domicile); $111,951 (for non-Virginian Domicile); $112,243 (For International Students) | $114,013 (For Virginia Domicile); $117,013 (for non-Virginian Domicile); $117,283 (For International Students) |
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