Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
Tuition and Scholarships
SCU Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee
$69,000 in tuition to complete the program.*
SCU’s Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee for degree programs allows you to plan your educational investment.
Benefits of our Fixed Tuition Guarantee:
- Guarantees your per-credit-hour rate for the scheduled duration of your program**
- Eliminates tuition price uncertainty
- Allows you to plan your finances in advance
If you would like to learn more about fixed rate tuition, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at FinancialAid@scuhs.edu.
You can also visit the Office of Financial Aid website to learn more about available scholarships, loans, and more.
* Tuition rate reflected above represents the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2025-2026 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on this website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information.
** Some limitations apply. View the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee page for more information.
Master of Science in Genetic Counseling 5 Terms
| Term | Credits | Tuition* | Program Fees** | EXXAT Fees | Petition toGraduate Fee** | Background Check (Charge from Third Party) | Total Term Cost*** |
| 1 | 12 | $13,800 | $280 | $263 | $14,343 | ||
| 2 | 12 | $13,800 | $280 | $14,080 | |||
| 3 | 12 | $13,800 | $280 | $14,080 | |||
| 4 | 12 | $13,800 | $280 | $14,080 | |||
| 5 | 12 | $13,800 | $280 | $225 | $150 | $14,455 | |
| Totals | 60 | $69,000 | $1,400 | $263 | $225 | $150 | $71,038 |
Per term tuition amounts listed above were calculated using the current curriculum plan for credit hours in the term shown times the rate per credit hour and assumes that the student stays on cohort and follows the normal academic progression.
* Tuition is charged at $1,150 per credit hour. Tuition is billed by credit hour and rates reflected above represent the fixed rate for a student entering during the 2025/2026 academic year. Tuition rates are subject to change and may not be reflected on the website or other SCU materials. Please contact us for the most updated information. Restrictions on our fixed rate tuition guarantee apply. To remain eligible for the fixed rate guarantee, students must graduate either on time or within one additional term of the published program length they are enrolled in. Refer to the Fixed Rate Tuition Guarantee section of the academic catalog for more information. Actual tuition per term will vary depending upon the number of credit hours enrolled.
** Program fees listed are for the 2025/2026 academic year and are subject to change. Program fees include charges for technology, malpractice insurance, student health, professional affiliation, and ASB, and are charged every term that a student is enrolled.
** Books, supplies, and other equipment not included in this tuition and fee schedule may be required for this program.
*** Fieldwork travel expenses are dependent on the location and duration at the clinical rotation site. The leadership team will work with students directly, starting in the first semester of the first year, to identify clinical rotation sites that are as convenient and cost-effective as possible for students.
Breakdown of Additional Costs Not Associated with Tuition and Fees
SCU’s course structure has additional expenses students need to plan for outside of charges that come directly from the university. The SCU curricular model can have cost savings for students vs. the traditional fully on-campus mode.
- SCU’s MSGC program offers a limited residency model that should offer cost savings versus the traditional, fully on-campus model.
- Most of the coursework is delivered online, and there is no cost for relocation during online courses. In addition, students are not charged an application fee.
- Students should plan for additional, variable costs. Specifically, students should plan at least $5,000 for fieldwork travel, as all students are required to do at least one on-ground, in-person fieldwork practicum. Others may be required. Travel associated with fieldwork placement is eligible for financial assistance through the Financial Aid Department.
- Remote clinical rotations for practicum rotations may be available based on supervisor availability, and the program will strive to make these as accessible as possible to students; however, remote placements are not guaranteed. The program will also strive to provide on-ground rotations near the student’s place of residence; however, this is also not guaranteed.
Total Cost of Attendance & Value of the MSGC Degree
Understanding the full cost of your Master of Science in Genetic Counseling education is an important part of your enrollment decision. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) establishes a new federal financial-aid framework scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, with anticipated implications for how SCU graduate students fund their education starting in the 2026–2027 academic year.1
Under OBBBA, students may use a combination of federal unsubsidized loans, private education loans, scholarships, and personal resources to cover their total cost of attendance (COA).
The estimates below reflect a typical California-based student and are provided for planning purposes only. Actual costs vary based on individual living arrangements, transportation choices, and personal spending decisions. To determine your personalized cost of attendance, please contact SCU’s Financial Aid Office at financialaid@scuhs.edu.
Estimated Annual Cost of Attendance (COA)
SCU’s Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program runs 3 terms per academic year, and the estimated annual cost of attendance includes both direct costs (paid to SCU) and indirect costs associated with living and studying in California.2 These figures are estimates for planning purposes only, additional fees may be required and may change annually. Visit mySCU for additional details.
| Category | Estimated Annual Cost With Parent/Relative | Estimated Annual Cost Off-Campus |
| Tuition | $41,400 | $41,400 |
| University Fees3 | $1,103 | $1,103 |
| Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment | $2,301 | $2,301 |
| Living Expenses | – | $32,748 |
| Transportation | $2,208 | $2,208 |
| Personal Expenses | $7,608 | $7,608 |
| Loan Fees4 | $1,245 | $1,245 |
| Total Estimated Annual COA | $55,865 | $55,865 |
Financing Your Education Under OBBBA (Effective July 1, 2026)
Beginning in 2026, OBBBA introduces a new financial aid structure for graduate students. As an SCU DC student, your financing plan may include the following:
- Federal Unsubsidized Loan: Anticipated caps of up to $10,250 per term (3 terms per academic year) or $30,750 a year, subject to applicable federal annual5/lifetime limits in effect for the award year. Interest accrues from the time of disbursement, and these loans often serve as the foundation of a student’s borrowing plan.
- Private Education Loans: Offered through participating lenders; terms vary. Some lenders may subsidize interest while you are enrolled, and terms are credit-based and vary by private lender. SCU provides students with access to private lenders through the FastChoice website6.
- Scholarships: SCU offers merit and need-based awards that reduce total borrowing. Visit Scholarships for details.
- Remaining Costs: Typically covered through scholarships, private loans, or personal resources.
SCU’s Financial Aid team is available to help you evaluate options and build a personalized financing approach.
Evaluating the Return on Investment
A Master of Science in Genetic Counseling degree offers professional and financial value, particularly in California’s health-care environment. Individual outcomes vary widely based on geographic location, practice setting, hours worked, and business ownership.
- California Genetic Counselors earnings: Range from $135,090 average to $171,9107 at the 90% percentile annually.
- Repayment considerations: Loan-repayment timelines depend on total borrowing, income, and repayment plan selection.
- Long-term outlook: Over a multi-decade career, chiropractors may generate substantial lifetime earnings, depending on market conditions and professional trajectory.
Your results will differ. SCU’s Financial Aid team can help you model scenarios based on your anticipated borrowing and career goals.
1 The information provided reflects current understanding of the federal financial aid changes under OBBBA as of 2/10/26 and is not intended to be legal advice. Many aspects of implementation, including transition rules, eligibility criteria, and timelines, are still subject to rulemaking and guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. Policies, processes, and guidance may change as new details emerge, and SCU will update this page. Please also consult federal resources at studentaid.gov for additional information or contact the SCU Financial Aid Team directly at financialaid@scuhs.edu.
2 COA is a budgeting and financial aid eligibility figure. Your actual bill from SCU typically only includes direct costs.
3 Typical fees on an annual basis
4 Loan fees vary based on federal rates and borrowing amounts in a given academic year.
5 SCU’s MSGC program runs 3 terms per academic year; the “annual” COA reflects three terms.
6 SCU does not endorse any specific lender; terms vary by borrower’s creditworthiness.
7 Source: O*Net California Wages Genetic Counselors.