Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The Professional Master of Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems (MECPS) is a full-time, in-person program. It lasts 15 months and is completed over four quarters. Students begin in the Fall, continue through Winter and Spring, and graduate in the following Fall.
Tuition and fees are the same for both domestic and international students, with no distinction between in-state and out-of-state rates. The total tuition and fees are divided across the four quarters and are charged once per quarter at the beginning of each term. The program cost is not billed as a lump sum.
Understanding Your Costs: Two Categories
Your quarterly bill has two distinct categories, and it is important to understand the difference between them.
Program CostThis is the cost of the MECPS program itself, and it is set for each academic year. Once you are admitted, your program cost will remain the same for the duration of your program. Cohort entering Fall 2025: $49,500.00 Program Fee ($12,375.00 per quarter) Incoming cohort rate: Pending |
University FeesThese fees are set by the University of California, Irvine, not by the MECPS program. They are reviewed each academic year and may increase. This means that even for currently enrolled students, the university fees in your final Fall quarter may be higher than what you paid in your first three quarters. Includes: Student Services, Student Center, Bren Events Center, Recreation, Grad Students, and Health Insurance fees. |
Current 2025-2026 : Complete Fee Schedule
The table below reflects the confirmed tuition and fees for 2025-2026, for students who entered the MECPS program in Fall 2025. Please visit the Registrar website for current costs.
This cohort’s program cost of $12,375.00 per quarter is fixed for all four required quarters. University fees for the final Fall 2026 quarter, which falls in the 2026–2027 academic year, are pending the UC Irvine Registrar’s Office annual review and will be updated here once confirmed, typically in mid to late August.
On smaller screens, the table below is scrollable.
| Fee | Fall 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Fall 2026 † | Notes |
| PROGRAM COST — Fixed for the duration of your enrollment | |||||
| Program Fee | $12,375.00 | $12,375.00 | $12,375.00 | $12,375.00 | Fixed for 2025-2026 Cohort |
| UNIVERSITY FEES — Subject to change each academic year | |||||
| Student Services Access Fee | $263.00 | $263.00 | $263.00 | TBD | |
| Assoc. Grad Students Fee | $9.00 | $9.00 | $9.00 | TBD | |
| Student Center Fee | $152.35 | $152.35 | $152.35 | TBD | |
| Bren Events Center Fee | $23.00 | $23.00 | $23.00 | TBD | |
| Recreation Fee | $88.00 | $88.00 | $88.00 | TBD | |
| Student Health Insurance (GSHIP) ‡ | $2,282.42 | $2,282.42 | $2,282.42 | TBD | Waivable |
| Total Per Quarter (incl. GSHIP) | $15,192.77 | $15,192.77 | $15,192.77 | TBD | |
| UCGPC Systemwide Fee § | $3.00 | $2.00 | $2.00 | TBD | Optional |
‡ Student Health Insurance (GSHIP): Automatically assessed each quarter. May be waived if you carry qualifying coverage. See the Health Insurance section below.
§ UCGPC Systemwide Fee: This fee is optional. Students may opt out each quarter. Once the opt-out is elected, the fee will not be charged in future quarters unless the student changes that preference.
Estimated Living Expenses
The living expenses links below are provided to help you plan for the cost of living in Irvine during the academic year. This figure is not a program charge; it is an independently sourced estimate intended to give you a realistic picture of your total financial commitment.
For estimated cost of living for a new graduate student include tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, and miscellaneous items, please visit:
- Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships: https://www.ofas.uci.edu/cost/graduate-costs/new-students.php
For housing resources, please visit:
- On-Campus Graduate Housing: https://housing.uci.edu/grad/
- Off-Campus Housing (Anteater Housing Network): https://housing.uci.edu/och/
Veterans:
Please contact the UCI School Certifying Official (SCO):
Emily McCollister, MLIS
Veteran Benefits Program Director
Office of Enrollment Management
University of California, Irvine
Email: veteran@uci.edu
phone: 949-824-3500
Website: https://veteranbenefits.uci.edu/
International Students:
The below Living Expenses amount is required by the International Center for the submission of the New Graduate Student Request – Student form to apply for an I-20.
On smaller screens, the table below is scrollable.
| Category | Estimated Amount | Details |
| Living Expenses (9 months) | $27,000.00 | 1 academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring) |
| Monthly Estimate | ~$3,000.00 / month | Based on 9-month period |
| Source | UCI International Center | 2026–2027 visa/I-20 funding documents |
| Covers | 1 academic year only | Fall, Winter and Spring |
This estimate covers one academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring, approximately 9 months).
Graduate Student Health Insurance (GSHIP)
All registered UCI graduate students are automatically assessed Graduate Student Health Insurance Plan (GSHIP) fees each quarter. For 2025–2026, this is $2,282.42 per quarter. The 2026–2027 rate will be set by UCI and posted here once confirmed.
Waiving GSHIP
If you carry qualifying health coverage, you may apply to waive GSHIP each academic year. Your plan must meet all of UC Irvine’s waiver criteria, including providing in-network access to a hospital, primary care provider, and mental health provider within 50 miles of campus.
- Waiver applications must be submitted online during the open waiver period, before the posted deadline.
- A new waiver request is required at the start of each academic year.
- If approved, the USHIP fee is credited to your ZOT Account within 7 to 10 business days.
- A $50.00 late fee applies if you submit after the deadline but are ultimately approved. No fee is charged if a late application is denied.
- Travel insurance plans do not qualify for a waiver.
- Pay your full fee amount before your waiver is confirmed. Deducting the USHIP fee before approval could result in classes being dropped if the waiver is denied.
Waiver applications are managed by Academic Health Plans (AHP). Processing typically takes 5 to 7 business days. Visit the UCI Student Health Center Insurance Services page for deadlines and to apply.
Important Notice: UC Irvine reserves the right to adjust university-level tuition and fees as determined necessary. Figures presented here reflect currently approved or estimated amounts and may be updated. Living expense estimates are provided for planning purposes only and are sourced from UCI International Center documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my program cost go up if I am already enrolled?
No. Once you are admitted, your program cost is locked in at the rate set for your cohort. Students who entered in Fall 2025 will pay $12,375.00 per quarter for all four required quarters.
University fees, however, are set annually by UC Irvine. This means that the university fees in your final Fall quarter, which falls in the 2026–2027 academic year, may be slightly higher than what you paid in your first three quarters.
What is the program cost for incoming students?
The program cost for cohort entering Fall 2026 has not yet been set. Each cohort’s program cost is fixed at the time of enrollment. The program fee, for the upcoming academic school year, is usually posted to the Registrar’s tuition and fees page in mid to late August.
Why are the Fall 2026 university fees listed as TBD?
University fees for the 2026–2027 academic year are reviewed and approved by the University of California, Irvine annually, typically in mid to late August. The Fall 2026 quarter falls within that academic year, so those amounts are not yet confirmed. This page will be updated as soon as the figures are posted by the UC Irvine Registrar’s Office.
Is the summer quarter required?
No. The summer quarter is optional. The MECPS degree requires four quarters: Fall, Winter, Spring, and the following Fall. The summer quarter between the two academic years is not required for graduation.
Is tuition different for international students?
No. The MECPS program charges the same tuition and fees for both domestic and international students. There is no in-state or out-of-state distinction.
What is the UCGPC fee and do I have to pay it?
The UC Graduate and Professional Council (UCGPC) systemwide fee supports graduate student governance across the University of California system. It is optional; you may opt out each quarter.
Where does the $27,000 living expense estimate come from?
The $27,000 figure is sourced from the UC Irvine International Center’s 2026–2027 visa and I-20 funding documents. It represents an estimate for one academic year (approximately nine months: Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters). It does not include the optional summer quarter.
Can I waive health insurance?
Yes, if your current plan meets UC Irvine’s waiver criteria. You must apply online during the open waiver period each academic year. Please refer to the Health Insurance section above for full details on eligibility and the process.