Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| matrícula | /maˈtɾikula/ | feminine |
| colegiatura | /kolexjaˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
The term refers to the sum of money paid for instruction. Depending on the context and region, it can refer specifically to enrollment fees, ongoing school fees or academic charges.
Which one should you use?
While often used interchangeably for tuition, matrícula specifically refers to the fee paid to register or enroll in a course or institution. In contrast, colegiatura is more specifically used for the ongoing periodic fees paid for instruction, often in private schools.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, matrícula is the most common term for fees paid to a university or educational institution. In Mexico, colegiatura is widely used to refer to tuition fees, especially in private schools. In some Latin American countries, pensión can refer to the cost of attending a private school or university and arancel is a formal term for tuition fees in countries like Chile and Argentina. In the Dominican Republic, mensualidad is commonly used to mean the monthly payment made for education.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both colegiatura and matrícula are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈtɾikula/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using tutoría to mean 'tuition'. In Spanish, tutoría actually refers to a tutoring session or a tutorial.
Did you know?
- While matrícula means 'tuition' in a school context, it is also the standard word for a vehicle's 'license plate' in Spain.
- The word matrícula comes from the Latin mātrīx, which means 'womb' or 'source' and was used to describe the original record from which copies were made.
- The term arancel used in Chile and Argentina is also the standard word for a 'tariff' or 'customs duty' on imported goods.
Examples in context
- Solo por ser un alumno aplicado, puedes ganarte toda tu colegiatura de regreso.Just by being a hardworking student, you can earn back all of your tuition.This sentence is useful for illustrating how one might earn back their colegiatura through academic performance.Tatoeba #9077689 by dpcossio, translation #9073570 by DJ_Saidez
- Me gustaría obtener información sobre las tasas académicas del programa que me interesa.I would like to obtain information about the academic fees of the program I'm interested in.
- Voy a solicitar una beca para poder cubrir la cuota de este año.I'm going to apply for a scholarship to cover this year's tuition.
- La matrícula de la universidad es muy cara.The university tuition is very expensive.
- Debes pagar la matrícula antes del lunes.You must pay the tuition before Monday.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are talking about university costs.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿ya pagaste la matrícula este semestre?Lucía, did you already pay the tuition this semester?
- LucíaTodavía no, Alejandro. Estoy esperando una beca.Not yet, Alejandro. I am waiting for a scholarship.
- AlejandroEntiendo, la matrícula es un gasto muy alto.I understand, the tuition is a very high expense.
- LucíaSí, espero recibir la noticia pronto.Yes, I hope to receive the news soon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tuition” translations and entries matrícula, colegiatura, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries matrícula, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
