⚠ Policy change effective July 1, 2026: Grad PLUS loans eliminated for new borrowers. Read the law →
Graduate · $20,500/yr cap

Lipscomb University

Graduate Studies (MA)
Annual Funding Gap
$42,886
per year you must fund outside federal loans
$20,500
$42,886
COA: $63,386/yrCap: $20,500/yr
89th percentile#1524 of 1717 MA programs
LIPSCOMB’s MA gap of $42,886 is 176% above the national MA median of $15,563. Among 1717 MA programs, LIPSCOMB ranks #1524 from lowest to highest gap. COA of $63,386 is $27,323 above the national median.

Cost of Attendance Breakdown

Annual Cost of Attendance$63,386
Tuition & Fees$44,486
Living Expenses$18,900
Books, Supplies & Other$0
Federal Loan Cap (Graduate)$20,500
Annual Funding Gap$42,886
These numbers assume…
⚠ Full-time enrollment⚠ No scholarships or grants applied⚠ No prior federal debtSingle residency rate
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Cover Your $42,886/yr Gap

Lipscomb University Graduate Studies students typically need $85,772 in private loans over 2 years to bridge the gap between federal aid and cost of attendance.

College AveOur Pick
Flexible repayment + law-specific grace periods
Fixed APR2.84 – 15.99%
Variable APR3.89 – 15.99%
Min. CreditMid-600s
Max Loan100% of COA
Decision: 3 min pre-qualification
Check Your Rate →
Earnest
Skip-a-payment flexibility + no late fees
Fixed APR3.43 – 14.83%
Variable APR4.64 – 15.86%
Min. CreditMid-600s
Max Loan100% of COA
Decision: 2 min pre-qualification
Check Your Rate →
SoFi
Member benefits + career coaching included
Fixed APR3.49 – 15.26%
Variable APR4.36 – 15.07%
Min. CreditMid-600s
Max Loan100% of COA
Decision: 2 min pre-qualification
Check Your Rate →

We research and compare lenders so you don’t have to. Rates verified as of January 2026.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation when you click on links to lender products. Rates shown are not guaranteed and depend on creditworthiness, cosigner status, and loan terms. Check with individual lenders for current rates.

What This Means for You

Large gap — private loans likely required

At $42,886/year ($85,772 total), the funding gap for Lipscomb University Graduate Studies is substantial. Most students in this situation use a combination of private loans, institutional aid, and personal resources.

  • Shop private loans carefully — a cosigner can significantly reduce your rate
  • Ask Lipscomb University about institutional scholarships, especially merit-based awards
  • Consider whether a funded alternative (research/teaching assistantship) exists in your field
  • File FAFSA early to maximize eligibility for any need-based institutional aid

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the federal loan limit for Lipscomb University Graduate Studies students?

Under the OBBBA (effective July 1, 2026), Lipscomb University Graduate Studies students can borrow up to $20,500 per year in federal Direct Loans. This is the graduate annual cap. The aggregate lifetime limit is $100,000 for graduate students.

Can I still get a Grad PLUS loan for Lipscomb University?

No. Starting July 1, 2026, the Grad PLUS loan program is eliminated under the OBBBA. All graduate and professional students are subject to fixed annual borrowing caps ($20,500/year for graduate programs). Students who need additional funding beyond the cap must use private loans, institutional aid, scholarships, or personal funds.

How much does Lipscomb University Graduate Studies cost per year?

The total cost of attendance for Lipscomb University Graduate Studies is $63,386 per year. Over the full 2-year program, the total cost is $126,772.

What is the funding gap for Lipscomb University Graduate Studies?

The annual funding gap is $42,886, calculated as the difference between the total cost of attendance ($63,386) and the federal loan cap ($20,500). Over the full 2-year program, the total gap is $85,772. This is above the national median of $15,563 for Graduate (General) programs.

Is Lipscomb University Graduate Studies classified as graduate or professional?

Lipscomb University Graduate Studies (MA) is classified as graduate under 34 CFR § 668.2. This means the annual federal loan cap is $20,500/year, with an aggregate limit of $100,000.

Sources & Methodology

Data Sources

  • Cost of attendance: Sourced from Lipscomb University’s official tuition and fees page for the 2025–2026 academic year.
  • Federal loan caps: Defined by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119-21, Title VIII, Subtitle B, Section 81001, amending 20 U.S.C. § 1087e(a), paragraph 4(A)(i).
  • IPEDS data: Institutional characteristics from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (NCES), Unit ID: 219976.
  • Program classification: MA is classified as graduate per 34 CFR § 668.2, with an annual federal loan cap of $20,500.

Methodology

  • Funding gap = Cost of Attendance − Federal Loan Cap. Negative values are reported as $0.
  • Cost of attendance includes tuition, mandatory fees, and estimated living expenses (housing, food, books, transportation, personal).
  • Rankings compare programs within the same degree type nationally, sorted by annual funding gap from lowest to highest.
  • Default COA assumes full-time enrollment, out-of-state residency (where applicable), no scholarships or grants, and no prior federal debt.

Data last updated: January 2026. Effective date for OBBBA loan caps: July 1, 2026.