How much does a TCM degree cost?
Cost is usually the question underneath the question — people aren't just curious about a number, they're quietly asking "can I actually afford four years of this without wrecking my finances? " So here's the real shape of it, as Five Branches University publishes it.
Cost is usually the question underneath the question — people aren't just curious about a number, they're quietly asking "can I actually afford four years of this without wrecking my finances?" So here's the real shape of it, as Five Branches University publishes it.
Tuition by program (school's own 2025–26 catalog, as we last checked it 07/2026 — always confirm the live figure before committing, since schools revise these):
| Program | Total Tuition | Per Year | Per Trimester |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAcHM/MAcHM Dual-Degree | $72,822 (3,435 hrs) | ≈$18,205 | ≈$6,068 |
| DAc/MAc Dual-Degree (acupuncture-only) | $56,127 (2,647.5 hrs) | ≈$18,709 | ≈$6,236 |
| DAcHM/DAc Bridge Completion (for existing master's-holders) | $8,505 (315 hrs); 20% alumni discount → $6,804 | — | — |
| DAOM (advanced doctorate, hybrid format) | $25,000 over 2 years | $12,500 | ≈$4,167 |
Beyond tuition — required books run about $1,000 total, and the school's own estimate for room/board/misc is roughly $2,000/month. There's also a $100 non-refundable application fee. These are all program estimates, not fixed charges, so treat them as planning figures rather than a quote.
What doesn't change year to year: tuition is billed per trimester, not all at once, and an installment plan exists if paying in full up front isn't realistic — so you're financing a few months at a time, not four years in one lump sum.
On aid: Five Branches reports that financial aid helps over 80% of its students cover costs — federal loans and work-study for U.S. citizens/permanent residents, plus scholarships ranging $500–$5,000/year from private donors. One honest caveat: students on an F-1 visa are not eligible for federal aid at any U.S. TCM school, Five Branches included — that's federal policy, not a school choice.
Is it the total sticker price you're weighing, or more how it'd fit month to month alongside other bills?
Sources
- Five Branches University — Accreditation Degrees Programs checked 2026-08
- Five Branches University — Financial Aid checked 2026-08
- Five Branches University — Tuition Fee checked 2026-08
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