HMI Gap
High Mountain Institute
Costs you
$15,400–$21,000
Spring 2027 HMI Gap semester tuition is $15,400, which HMI expresses as $256/day over 60 days - this figure is CONFIRMED. The fall gap semester runs about 80 days; at the same daily rate that implies roughly $20,500, but THAT FALL FIGURE IS DERIVED, NOT CONFIRMED - request it in writing. Do NOT confuse these with the separate HMI Semester for high schoolers, which is $40,550 for 2026-27; that is a different product. Tuition includes room, board and all domestic travel during the program. EXCLUDES all flights to the program start and from the program end, including INTERNATIONAL flights to Chile for the Patagonia section - budget $900-$1,600. Also excludes personal gear. A STUDENT ACCOUNT DEPOSIT is required: $1,200 for fall, $1,600 for spring, with unused funds returned. Realistic spring all-in is roughly $17,000-$18,000 including airfare, before the refundable deposit. Strong: HMI states it seeks to MEET THE FULL DEMONSTRATED NEED of every student accepted into an HMI program. This is a materially better aid posture than almost any commercial gap operator and makes HMI worth applying to even for families who assume they cannot afford it. Apply for aid concurrently with admission.
We take no commission if you enroll and have no relationship with the operator.
Wilderness expedition gap semesters travelling through Colorado, Utah and Chilean Patagonia in groups of 8-12 students with 2-3 instructors, focused on backcountry skills, conservation and leadership. Fall runs about 80 days and spring about 60 days.
- Term
- 8 wk–12 wk
- Housing
- Provided
- Meals
- Provided
- Airfare
- Not covered
- Selectivity
- Moderately competitive
- Age
- 17–22
- Citizenship
- Any citizenship
Deadlines
- 2027rollingRolling / no fixed deadline
Rolling admissions with limited cohort size (8-12 students), so effective deadlines are early.
Verified 8/26/2026 · hminet.org