Costs and affordability
Why is AMBS affordable?
It is our goal to keep our base tuition rates low so we can make theological education affordable and accessible for a diverse body of students and offer a wide range of financial aid and scholarships. We want to support developing leaders to freely serve the church—unencumbered by large student debt loads.
Yes, you can afford seminary!
AMBS’s low base tuition rate
+ generous need-based financial aid
+ scholarships for full- or part-time students
+ church matching grants
= an affordable seminary degree

Did you know theological education is accessible?
- Less than 5% of our degree-seeking students borrow to pay for their AMBS studies, on average. (According to the Association for Theological Schools, in general, an average of 40% of U.S. and Canadian students borrow to attend seminary.)
- The average amount of student tuition costs covered by need-based financial aid and scholarships at AMBS is more than 65%.
- More than 95 full- and part-time students receive scholarships and need-based financial aid from AMBS.
- AMBS matches congregational contributions, up to $2,000 per year per student, made by churches or conferences/regional churches toward a student’s tuition costs.
Tuition and fee information
Tuition and fees for 2024–25
Course tuition and fees for 2024–25
Regular tuition per credit hour | $590 |
Audit tuition per credit hour—AMBS graduates | $98 |
Audit tuition per credit hour—regular | $133 |
Independent study tuition per credit hour | $627 |
Student Services Fee per credit hour (applies to all tuition types) | $21 |
Tuition for each semester, including student services fee (12 credit hours) | $7,332 |
Tuition cost for one year of full-time study: 27 credit hours (including 12 credit hours per semester plus 3 Intensive Term credit hours and corresponding student services fees) | $16,497 |
Other student fees/discounts for 2024–25
Application fee (nonrefundable) | $50 |
Course change fee (after close of registration) | $40 |
Deferred tuition payment plan setup fee | $18 |
Late payment fee (tuition/rent not paid on time); monthly charge for past-due accounts | $40 |
LEAP assessment fee | $80 |
MDiv Thesis Extension fee (equal to one credit hour) | $590 |
Mission and Ministry Experience (MME) fee per credit hour | $590 |
Registration fee (charged each term for returning admitted students only) | $100 |
Early registration discount (for returning admitted students only) | ($100) |
Tuition and fees for 2025–26
Course tuition and fees for 2025–26
Regular tuition per credit hour | $600 |
Audit tuition per credit hour—AMBS graduates | $98 |
Audit tuition per credit hour—regular | $133 |
Independent study tuition per credit hour | $637 |
Student Services Fee per credit hour (applies to all tuition types) | $21 |
Tuition for each semester, including student services fee (12 credit hours) | $7,452 |
Tuition cost for one year of full-time study: 27 credit hours (including 12 credit hours per semester plus 3 Intensive Term credit hours and corresponding student services fees) | $16,767 |
Other student fees/discounts for 2025–26
Application fee (nonrefundable) | $50 |
Course change fee (after close of registration) | $40 |
Deferred tuition payment plan setup fee | $18 |
Late payment fee (tuition/rent not paid on time); monthly charge for past-due accounts | $40 |
LEAP assessment fee | $80 |
MDiv Thesis Extension fee (equal to one credit hour) | $600 |
Mission and Ministry Experience (MME) fee per credit hour | $600 |
Registration fee (charged each term for returning admitted students only) | $100 |
Early registration discount (for returning admitted students only) | ($100) |
Payment of tuition and fees for admitted students
- Payment of tuition and fees is due at the beginning of each term. Payment may be made online by credit card (VISA, MasterCard or Discover) or by check sent to Business Office, AMBS, 3003 Benham Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46517.
- Students who are taking four or more credit hours a semester may apply to pay tuition and fees in installments by contacting the Business Office Manager (audit hours do not qualify). Late payments are subject to a late fee.
- Full-time study consists of nine or more credit hours per semester. Students with a full-time load take from nine to 14 hours per semester, with 12 hours being a typical load.
- All admitted students may apply for AMBS need-based financial aid.
- Returning/continuing students are charged a $100 registration fee at the beginning of each term. If they register by the early registration date noted on the Academic Calendar for that term, they receive a $100 early registration discount, which offsets this fee. (The registration fee and the early registration discount do not apply to newly admitted or nonadmitted students.)
Payment of tuition and fees for nonadmitted students and graduates
- Payment of tuition and fees is due at the time of registration. Payment may be made online by credit card (VISA, MasterCard or Discover) or by check sent to Business Office, AMBS, 3003 Benham Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46517.
- Financial aid and payment plans are not available.
Looking for more information?
Meet the AMBS Admissions Team
From your first inquiry about seminary study to your transition from applicant to student, we’re here to help you.

Janeen Bertsche Johnson, MDiv
Admissions Counselor

Paul Keim, PhD
Student Services Coordinator

Joe Liechty, PhD
Student Services Associate

Teresa Thompson Sherrill, MDiv
Financial Aid Manager and Enrollment Coordinator