Tuition & Aid

• Tuition and fees for the 2026-27 school year (one year of the two-year program):
  • In-State: $27,149
  • Out-of-State: $27,839
• Tuition and fees are subject to change. We’ll update tuition and fees for the upcoming year when it’s available. Visit VCU Student Financial Services for tuition and fee details.
• Parking, room and board, and meal plans are not included in tuition.

Most Brandcenter students live off campus, though a limited number of on-campus housing options are available. If you have questions about living off campus, visit VCU Off-Campus Housing.

• Our students walk, bike, drive, take the bus—free for students—or carpool to campus.
• There are three university parking lots near our building, and parking passes can be purchased for any of these lots through the VCU Parking & Transportation office.

• Scholarships are awarded annually to eligible Brandcenter students in the full-time master’s program.
• Scholarships typically range between $500 and $5,000.
• After submitting your application for admission, you’ll receive a link to apply for scholarships within your Brandcenter portal. Your admissions and scholarship application must be completed by the March 17 deadline.
• Students who wish to be considered for need-based scholarships must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid if they are eligible to do so. View the FAFSA eligibility criteria.
• Visit Brandcenter Tuition & Aid and VCU Student Financial Services for more information and resources.

• If you are eligible to receive federal loans or are applying for scholarships to help fund your Brandcenter education, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
• The VCU school code for the FAFSA is 003735.
• Brandcenter applicants should submit the FAFSA as soon as possible, even if your admission status is undetermined.
• Visit VCU Student Financial Services for more information and resources.

Visit VCU Graduate School Funding for more information and resources for funding your education.

• Eligible students can apply for both graduate assistantships and other part-time job opportunities at the university via the Handshake career resource tool, once they’ve registered for classes.
• August/September is the best time to look for graduate assistantship positions. 

We share external scholarship or freelance work opportunities with current students as soon as the information is available.

• Junior (Junior Art Director, Junior Designer, Junior Graphic Designer)  – $67,300. 
• Mid (Art Director, Designer, Associate Creative Director) – $87,250
• Senior (Senior Creative, Senior Art Director, Creative Director, Group Creative Director) – $147,700
• Director (Executive Creative Director, VP of Creative) – $ 211,600
• Executive (Chief Creative Officer)

• Junior (Junior Copywriter, Junior Designer, Junior Graphic Designer) – $67,000
• Mid (Copywriter, Associate Creative Director) – $85,800
• Senior (Senior Creative, Senior Copywriter, Creative Director, Group Creative Director) – $129,400
• Director (Executive Creative Director, VP of Creative) – $207,000
• Executive (Chief Creative Officer) – $355,350

• Junior  (Junior Account Manager, Account Executive, Account Manager, Project Coordinator) – $60,500
• Mid (Account Manager, Account Executive, Marketing Manager) – $96,450
• Senior (Senior Account Manager, Account Supervisor) – $168,600
• Director (Group Account Director, Brand Director, Head of Marketing) – $210,500
• Executive (CEO, Director of Marketing and Communications) – $260,100

• Junior (Junior Strategist, Account Planner) – $65,000
• Mid ( Strategist) – $90,800
• Senior (Senior Strategist) – $126,200
• Director (Strategy Director, Group Strategy Director, Strategic Advertising Director) – $210, 000
• Executive (Chief Strategy Officer) – $236,450