What is the total cost of studying at Chicago Booth MFin, including tuition and living expenses in Chicago?Is it higher than Columbia or NYU finance programs?

Question

Mansih K · Accepted Answer

The total cost of the Chicago Booth MFin for 2025/26 is estimated at about $128,943 for three quarters (roughly one year). This includes $90,564 tuition, $26,010 for housing and food, plus fees, transportation, and personal expenses. If you take the four-quarter version, the tuition rises to $120,752, which pushes the all-in cost closer to $140,000.
When stacked against Columbia MFE or NYU&rsquo;s finance programs, Booth&rsquo;s one-year bill looks high, but the New York schools usually cost more overall because they run longer and NYC living is pricier. Columbia MFE tuition is around $70,000 per year, and with two years of Manhattan living, total costs climb past $150,000. Booth is still expensive, but the shorter program length and lower Chicago rent make it slightly more manageable than a full two years in New York.

Shruti T · Answer

One thing that catches people off guard is how Booth charges tuition per quarter, and that changes the math.
&bull; For 2025/26, tuition is $90,564 for three quarters, with total cost of attendance listed as $128,943. &bull; If you opt for four quarters, tuition alone is $120,752, which pushes the final cost toward $145,000 with living expenses. &bull; Living in Chicago is significantly cheaper than New York&mdash;Booth budgets $26,010 for housing/food, while Columbia and NYU students often spend $35,000+ yearly. &bull; Columbia MFE and NYU finance programs stretch 1.5&ndash;2 years, so even though annual tuition looks lower, two years of tuition plus Manhattan costs push totals into the $150,000&ndash;170,000 range.
So Booth feels heavy in one shot, but in most cases it&rsquo;s still cheaper overall than completing two years in New York.