How much does it cost to be in a sorority?

Written by

Holly D. Johnson,

Edited by

Jennifer Lee

Published on May 07, 2025 | 4 min read

Bankrate is always editorially independent.

Key takeaways

Being part of a sorority may cost between $400 and $4,750 per semester, although the exact amount varies by school and sorority.
Greek life offers college students a sense of community and networking opportunities, along with other potential benefits.
Sorority members may face steep financial costs and membership can be time consuming.

Joining a sorority is an excellent way to make new friends and build a lasting network during your college years. The bonds you create have the potential to last well into your professional career, leading to better job and networking opportunities.

Unfortunately, joining a sorority typically comes with a steep financial commitment. Before joining a sorority, weigh the costs and benefits to decide if it is the right move for you. Here’s what to expect with sorority dues, what you get for the investment and how to decide if joining a sorority is worth it.

How much do sororities cost?

Sorority costs vary by school and the sorority you want to join. Once you decide on a school, some research can help you figure out which sorority might fit your needs. From there, you can check the sorority or school website for information on pricing for your first year.

On average, being part of a sorority may cost between $400 and $4,750 per semester, which is an extremely broad range. Living in a sorority house can also add to the expense. You typically do not have to live onsite to be a member, so skipping that experience could save you money.

Money tip: Living in a sorority house may be cheaper than living in a dorm. The average cost of living in a sorority house ranges from $7,500 to $12,100 at the University of Iowa, while other on-campus housing costs around $13,680.

Sorority members also have to pay fees every year. Initial fees for new sorority members tend to be higher than fees for returning members. For example, at Ball State University, students typically pay between $600 and $886 per semester for the first year of membership, but active members pay a lower amount of $400 to $686 per semester, depending on the sorority.

What do sorority costs cover?

Costs covered by sorority dues depend on the sorority chosen, the year of membership and a range of other factors. Here’s a rundown of most costs sorority dues can cover depending on the program:

Membership fees: Sorority costs tend to cover the fees required for membership, which are typically charged on a semester basis.
Social event fees: Social expenses can cover the costs associated with social engagements, including parties and events.
Housing: Some sorority members pay more to live in sorority housing on campus, although doing so is typically not required.
Meal plans: Sorority housing plans can include meal costs, although these plans typically include a specific number of meals per week.
Apparel: Some sorority dues cover merchandise and apparel, whereas other sororities charge for these costs separately.
Transportation costs: Sorority dues may also cover transportation to required events.
Operational expenses: Sorority fees can also be used to pay for operational expenses, including accounting fees, fundraising activities and more.

Sorority dues breakdown

While sorority costs vary widely by school and the specific sorority you join, there are some typical expenses associated with taking part in Greek life. The chart below offers a general guideline of typical sorority expenses, what they are and how much they can cost.

Sorority costs	What is it?	Example costs
Registration fee	Fees paid to join the recruitment process for a specific sorority	Typically $30 and up
First year member dues	Dues required to belong to a sorority the first year	Varies, but may be between $600 and $886 per semester on the low end and $2,548 to $3,986 per semester or more on the high end
Active member dues	Dues required to belong to a sorority for subsequent years of membership	Varies, but may be between $400 to $686 per semester on the low end and $2,600 to $4,000 per semester or more on the high end
Room and board	Costs for housing and a certain number of meals per week (costs may be bundled into sorority dues at some schools)	Varies, but may cost $7,500 to $12,100 per year at some schools and potentially more
Social expenses	Costs for attending and participating in Greek events	Varies by school (may or may not be included in sorority dues)
Alumni dues	Fees paid by sorority alumni after graduation	Typically $35 to $50 per year

Pros and cons: Is a sorority worth it?

Sororities come with some benefits you can’t find elsewhere on campus. Sorority membership perks can vary based on your unique experience, where you live, the program you join and other factors.

Pros

Friendship and camaraderie
Potential academic benefits
Networking opportunities

Cons

High cost
Time commitment and academic distractions
Unhealthy behavior

- Friendship and camaraderie: If you are heading off to college and worried about making friends, joining a sorority can help tremendously. Joining means you will instantly belong to an organization with many members who may share common goals. While each sorority is different, joining Greek life means you’ll have a full roster of events you can attend while you build friendships.
- Potential academic benefits: Fraternities and sororities tend to help with the transition from a structured learning environment to a more flexible college campus since they can help you find study partners and connect you with upperclassmen who have found a way to make college work.
- Networking opportunities: Joining a sorority is also a great way to set yourself up for career success since you’ll graduate college with a nationwide network of alumni members.
- High cost: Attending college can already be expensive, but being part of a sorority comes with substantial fees. If you live in sorority housing, you’ll typically pay more. Most sororities have membership fees – which are typically more expensive for new members – and additional expenses like shirts, membership pins, tickets to sorority events and more.
- Time commitment and academic distractions: When you join a sorority, you are often expected to attend meetings, social activities and outreach events. While these opportunities can help expand your social circle, the time commitments can take away time spent studying or preparing for class. If your course load is heavy, you might struggle to fulfill your sorority requirements.
- Unhealthy behaviors: Being part of a sorority can offer a sense of belonging, but there have been reports of encouraging dangerous or irresponsible behaviors, like hazing or partying. Many schools now have antihazing policies in place to help protect new members. Even though President Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act into law in December 2024, you may not be immune to these practices if you decide to join.

5 Ways to pay for a sorority

Paying for college can be a hardship on its own, but the costs increase significantly when you add being in a sorority into the mix. If you’re hoping to join Greek life but not sure how you’ll afford it, these options may be available to help:

Credit cards: Credit cards offer a convenient way to pay for sorority fees that cannot be covered in other ways, but the high interest rates they charge make them an expensive option. Some credit cards come with 0 percent interest offers for a limited time, but the zero-interest periods last for 21 months at most. For the most part, you should only use a credit card to pay sorority dues if you have a plan to pay the balance down quickly.
Part-time jobs: Working a part-time job can help you cover sorority dues, although it may be difficult to keep up with school, sorority activities and work all at the same time. Side gigs like online tutoring may be easier to manage since you can do your work online and during your spare time.
Payment plans: Some fraternities and sororities offer payment plans you can participate in to cover dues, although terms and costs vary widely.
Scholarships: Some sororities offer scholarships to new or active members, although opportunities vary by school.
Student loans: You typically cannot use federal student loans to cover sorority costs, although you may be able to use funding from private student loans in some scenarios. You may also be able to use student loans to cover sorority housing in some cases.

Bottom line

Sorority membership isn’t free, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not worth it. Individuals considering Greek life should consider what they hope to gain from joining a sorority before making a financial commitment.

Calculating your financial aid and budgeting for the year may also help you decide. Even if sorority costs are equal to or greater than what you’d pay for other housing, the social and academic benefits could be enough to persuade you to rush.

Written by

Holly D. Johnson

Author, Award-Winning Writer