American College of the Building Arts

What is the cost of studying for a year at American College of the Building Arts?

For 2024-25, ACBA reported full-time undergraduate tuition of $19,872 and required fees of $1,628 for both in-state and out-of-state students. Together, those published charges total $21,500 for the academic year, before living expenses, books, transportation, and personal costs.

• Full-time tuition: $19,872
• Required fees: $1,628
• Tuition and required fees combined: $21,500
• Reported books and supplies estimate: $750
• Reported part-time undergraduate charge: $828 per credit hour

Adding the reported books-and-supplies estimate produces $22,250, but that is not a complete annual cost of attendance. It excludes housing, food, transportation, and other expenses; students should also check whether their craft courses call for tools or materials beyond the general estimate.

Published charges differ from net price, which reflects qualifying aid. For students from families with annual income of $0-$48,000, ACBA reported an average net price of $29,454. A net price can exceed tuition and fees because it accounts for other attendance expenses. It is an average for a defined group, not an individual aid offer. In the same reporting period, 48% of students were recorded as receiving financial aid, and 39% had student loans. Eligible students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and review their individual aid offer, including grants, scholarships, and loans, before deciding what they would need to pay.

What are the work-study opportunities at American College of the Building Arts?

Students interested in paid work should distinguish a regular part-time job from Federal Work-Study. Work-Study, when included in an eligible student's aid offer and available through the college, provides a route to earn wages through approved employment; it is not a grant paid automatically against a tuition bill.

A student should ask ACBA's financial aid office whether Work-Study positions are currently offered, how jobs are assigned, and whether an aid offer includes eligibility. For other paid work, Charleston's construction and preservation fields may be relevant to a student's interests, but outside employment is separate from college credit or a guaranteed internship. ACBA's craft-focused curriculum makes scheduling worth considering before accepting a job with fixed daytime hours.