Ed.D. Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for the 2025-2026 school year is $2,405.00 per credit hour. The cost of the 54-credit Ed.D. program is $129,870, not including fees and campus convenings. Please note that tuition and fees are subject to change and may rise each year.

In order to qualify for federal student aid, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be enrolled in a degree-seeking program with at least a half-time status. At the graduate level, eligible students may apply for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan.

International students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply for a private alternative educational loan. Some private education loan lenders may require the assistance of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a cosigner.

To learn more about applying for federal student aid, view our Financial Aid Checklist.

For more information on financial aid, including loan options and military benefits, view the Financial Aid FAQs page.

Starting July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS Loans will no longer be offered for new borrowers and borrowing limits will be introduced for new loans, meaning federal loans may no longer cover the full cost of attendance for many graduate students. If you’re planning to begin a graduate degree program in fall 2026 or later, start planning now (ideally before you apply) to find alternative funding options. This change will affect people seeking federal financial aid for the online Ed.D. in leadership and learning in organizations program at Vanderbilt Peabody College; primarily, those who enroll on or after July 1, 2026.

Federal borrowing for graduate students, including students enrolled in this program, will be subject to new federal loan limits. The incoming changes will also limit lifetime borrowing for graduate degrees to $100,000. If you do not plan to study full time, your annual loan eligibility may be lower. Learn more details here.

In addition, the incoming changes will also limit lifetime loans for graduate degrees to $100,000. If you do not plan to study full time, your loan limit may be lower. Learn more details here.

Early planning is the most important thing you can do. The financial aid office can help you build a plan:

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Speak with a financial aid advisor → [615-322-3591]

If you need help with your application or if you have questions about application deadlines, please contact an enrollment specialist at admissions@peabodyonline.vanderbilt.edu or +1-844-831-9373.

Request information to speak with an enrollment specialist about financial aid.