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Tuition and Fees

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MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP

Estimated cost of attendance for the Master of Public Administration, Master of International Affairs, and MPA in Development Practice programs for the 2025-2026 academic year. Other fees may be applicable to certain courses or activities selected by some students.

  •   Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total
    Direct Costs      
    Tuition 35,682 35,682 71,364
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 2,077 3,374 5,451
    Health Service Fee 715 715 1,430
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee  (See Columbia's fee details here) 208 208 416
    University Services and Support Fee 626 626 1252
    Student Activity Fee  73 73 146
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 39,381 40,678 80,059
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs      
    Rent and Food 10,276 12,846 23,122
    Books and Supplies 625 625 1,250
    Personal Expenses 1,560 1,950 3,510
    Transportation 588 735 1,323
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 13,049 16,156 29,205
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 52,430 56,834 109,264

  • All students in their first semester of enrollment at Columbia University are charged a $105 Document Fee (formerly known as Transcript Fee).

    International students must pay:

    • medical insurance
    • $170 per semester International Students Fee
    • $118 I-20 fee only during their first semester of enrollment

    New students in the MPA-DP program are charged an additional $1,000 in their first term of enrollment, which contributes to the cost of the 12 week summer professional field placement, one week Getting Started Program, and 3 day MPA-DP retreat.

    Total Estimated Cost of Attendance includes both direct and indirect costs.

    • The figures presented herein are provisional estimates as of March 1, 2025, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year.
    • Direct costs are those charged by Columbia University. The tuition and fees indicated above are for the stated year only. All tuition and fees assume full-time attendance; your costs may vary if you do not enroll full-time.  Additional tuition charges for enrollment in excess of 18 credits in a semester are $2,858 per credit.  For information on billing and payments, please visit the University's Student Financial Services website.
    • Indirect costs are those not billed by Columbia (unless you live in University housing) and reflect estimated living and miscellaneous expenses incurred by students for the 9-month academic year (September through May only); yours may vary. If you find that your costs exceed these estimates and you would like to increase your student loan eligibility, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.   
    • Figures above do not include the costs of relocating to New York, if applicable.

  • Students enrolled in international dual degree programs  with our GPPN partner schools will be charged tuition and fees by the school they are attending at that school's rates for tuition. 

    During their first year abroad, students will face additional costs with Columbia University, even though they are not physically on campus including:

    • A one-time, non-refundable $105 Document Fee, which is charged to all students in their first term, regardless of their program.
    • All students, including those in hybrid, online-only, and study abroad programs, are required to pay the Columbia Health and Related Services Fee, which is $715 per term. This fee provides access to a variety of health and wellness resources through Columbia Health and its partners. The fee is mandatory, non-refundable, and cannot be waived or pro-rated. You can learn more about the services included here.

MPA-EPM

Estimated cost of attendance for the MPA-EPM program for the 2025-2026 academic year. Other fees may be applicable to certain courses or activities selected by some students.

  •   Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition 35,682 35,682 35,682 107,046
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 1,145 2,077 3,374 6,596
    Health Service Fee 500 715 715 1,930
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee 200 208 208 616
    University Services and Support Fee 582 626 626 1,834
    Student Activity Fee  0 73 73 146
    Document Fee 105 0 0 105
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 38,214 39,381 40,678 118,273
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 7,458 10,276 12,846 30,580
    Books and Supplies 625 625 625 1,875
    Personal Expenses 1,170 1,560 1,950 4,680
    Transportation 441 588 735 1,764
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 9,694 13,049 16,156 38,899
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 47,908 52,430 56834 157,172

  • All students in their first semester of enrollment at Columbia University are charged a $105 Document Fee (formerly known as Transcript Fee).

    International students must pay:

    • medical insurance
    • $170 per semester International Students Fee
    • $118 I-20 fee only during their first semester of enrollment

    Total Estimated Cost of Attendance includes both direct and indirect costs.

    • The figures presented herein are provisional estimates as of March 1, 2025, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year.
    • Direct costs are those charged by Columbia University. The tuition and fees indicated above are for the stated year only. All tuition and fees assume full-time attendance; your costs may vary if you do not enroll full-time.  Additional tuition charges for enrollment in excess of 19 credits in a semester are $2,858 per credit.  For information on billing and payments, please visit the University's Student Financial Services website.
    • Indirect costs are those not billed by Columbia (unless you live in University housing) and reflect estimated living and miscellaneous expenses incurred by students for the 12-month academic year; yours may vary. If you find that your costs exceed these estimates and you would like to increase your student loan eligibility, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.      
    • Figures above do not include the costs of relocating to New York, if applicable.

EMPA

Estimated cost of attendance for the Executive MPA program for the 2025-2026 academic year. Other fees may be applicable to certain courses or activities selected by some students.

  •   Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition 15,264 15,264 15,264 45,792
    Health Service Fee 147 208 208 563
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee 200 200 200 600
    University Services and Support Fee 400 292 292 984
    Student Activity Fee  0 70 70 140
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 16,011 16,034 16,034 48,079
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 7,458 10,276 12,846 30,580
    Books and Supplies 625 625 625 1,875
    Personal Expenses 1,170 1,560 1,950 4,680
    Transportation 441 588 735 1,764
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 9,694 13,049 16,156 38,899
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 25,705 29,083 32,190 86,978
  •   Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition 22,896 22,896 22,896 68,688
    Health Service Fee 147 208 208 563
    SIPA IT/AV Fee 200 200 200 600
    University Services and Support Fee 400 292 292 984
    Student Activity Fee 0 70 70 140
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 23,643 23,666 23,666 70,975
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 7,458 10,276 12,846 30,580
    Books and Supplies 625 625 625 1,875
    Personal Expenses 1,170 1,560 1,950 4,680
    Transportation 441 588 735 1,764
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 9,694 13,049 16,156 38,899
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 33,337 36,715 39,822 109,874
  •   Summer 2024 Fall 2024 Spring 2025 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition 30,528 30,528 30,528 91,584
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 0 2,077 3,374 5,451
    Health Service Fee 147 715 715 1,577
    SIPA IT/AV Fee 200 200 200 600
    University Services and Support Fee 400 626 626 1,652
    Student Activity Fee  0 70 70 140
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 31,275 34,216 35,513 101,004
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 7,458 10,276 12,846 30,580
    Books and Supplies 625 625 625 1,875
    Personal Expenses 1,170 1,560 1,950 4,680
    Transportation 441 588 735 1,764
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 9,694 13,049 16,156 38,899
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 40,969 47,265 51,669 139,903

  • EMPA students are charged tuition at a rate of $2,544 per credit. The examples in the different tabs show tuition rates for 6, 9, or 12 credits per semester; actual tuition charges will vary each semester depending on students' individual course loads.  Please note that some fees become applicable when students enroll for 12 credits (officially a full-time course load) that are not charged to students enrolled for fewer than 12 credits.

    All students in their first semester of enrollment at Columbia University are charged a $105 Document Fee (formerly known as Transcript Fee).

    All international students are charged a $170 International Student Fee each semester as well as an additional $118 I-20 fee during their first semester of enrollment at Columbia.

    Total Estimated Cost of Attendance includes both direct and indirect costs.

    • The figures presented herein are provisional estimates as of March 1, 2025, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year.
    • Direct costs are those charged by Columbia University. The tuition and fees indicated above are for the stated year only. For information on billing and payments, please visit the University's Student Financial Services website.
    • Indirect costs are those not billed by Columbia (unless you live in University housing) and reflect estimated living and miscellaneous expenses incurred by students for the 12-month academic year; yours may vary. If you find that your costs exceed these estimates and you would like to increase your student loan eligibility, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.     
    • Figures above do not include expenses of relocating to New York, if applicable.

MPA-ESP

Estimated cost of attendance for the MPA-ESP program for the 2025-2026 academic year. Other fees may be applicable to certain courses or activities selected by some students.

  •   Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition 32,750 32,750 32,750 98,250
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 1,145 2,077 3,374 6,596
    Health Service Fee 500 715 715 1,930
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee 250 250 250 750
    University Services and Support Fee 582 626 626 1,834
    Student Activity Fee  70 73 73 216
    Document Fee 105 0 0 105
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 35,402 36,491 37,788 109,681
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 7,458 10,276 12,846 30,580
    Books and Supplies 625 625 625 1,875
    Personal Expenses 1,170 1,560 1,950 4,680
    Transportation 441 588 735 1,764
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 9,694 13,049 16,156 38,899
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 45,096 49,540 53,944 148,580

  • All students in their first semester of enrollment at Columbia University are charged a $105 Document Fee (formerly known as Transcript Fee).

    International students must pay:

    • medical insurance
    • $170 per semester International Students Fee
    • $118 I-20 fee only during their first semester of enrollment

    Total Estimated Cost of Attendance includes both direct and indirect costs.

    • The figures presented herein are provisional estimates as of March 1, 2025, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year.
    • Direct costs are those charged by Columbia University. The tuition and fees indicated above are for the stated year only. All tuition and fees assume full-time attendance; your costs may vary if you do not enroll full-time.  Additional tuition charges for enrollment in excess of 19 credits in a semester are $2,618 per credit.  For information on billing and payments, please visit the University's Student Financial Services website.
    • Indirect costs are those not billed by Columbia (unless you live in University housing) and reflect estimated living and miscellaneous expenses incurred by students for the 12-month academic year; yours may vary. If you find that your costs exceed these estimates and you would like to increase your student loan eligibility, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.         
    • Figures above do not include the costs of relocating to New York, if applicable.

PhD in Sustainable Development

Where to find cost of attendance information for the PhD in Sustainable Development program.

MPA-GL

Estimated cost of attendance for the MPA Global Leadership program for the 2025-2026 academic year. Other fees may be applicable to certain courses or activities selected by some students.

  •   Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total
    ESTIMATED DIRECT COSTS        
    Tuition 5,514 35,682 35,682 76,878
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) - 2,077 3,374 5,451
    Health Service Fee 147 715 715 1,577
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee 200 208 208 616
    University Services and Support Fee 414 626 626 1,666
    Student Activity Fee - 73 73 146
    Document Fee 105 - - 105
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 6,380 39,381 40,678 86,439
    ESTIMATED INDIRECT COSTS        
    Rent and Food 5,138 10,276 12,846 28,260
    Books and Supplies 625 625 625 1,875
    Personal Expenses 780 1,560 1,950 4,290
    Transportation 294 588 735 1,617
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 6,837 13,049 16,156 36,042
             
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS 13,217 52,430 56,834 122,481

    • All students in their first semester of enrollment at Columbia University are charged a $105 Document Fee (formerly known as Transcript Fee).

      International students must pay:

    • medical insurance
    • $170 per semester International Students Fee
    • $118 I-20 fee only during their first semester of enrollment
    • Total Estimated Cost of Attendance includes both direct and indirect costs.
    • The figures presented herein are provisional estimates as of March 1, 2025, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2025-2026 academic year.
    • Direct costs are those charged by Columbia University. The tuition and fees indicated above are for the stated year only. All tuition and fees assume full-time attendance; your costs may vary if you do not enroll full-time (the summer course load in this program is part-time; fall and spring are full-time).  Additional tuition charges for enrollment in excess of 18 credits in the fall and spring semesters are $2,858 per credit.  For information on billing and payments, please visit the University's Student Financial Services website.
    • Indirect costs are those not billed by Columbia (unless you live in University housing) and reflect estimated living and miscellaneous expenses incurred by students for the 11-month academic year (July through May only); yours may vary. If you find that your costs exceed these estimates and you would like to increase your student loan eligibility, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.      
    • Figures above do not include the costs of relocating to New York, if applicable.

SUPPLEMENTAL TUITION & FEES

  1. ALP Fee ($60): This fee applies to any student who needs English language prep before entry at SIPA. Since ALP is not part of SIPA and the courses are in addition to their SIPA degree requirements, this nominal course fee helps offset the charges SIPA incurs from ALP for instruction.
  2. International Travel Fee for Capstone Workshop ($400): This fee applies to students registered for the Capstone Workshop who are traveling internationally as part of their project.
  3. MPA-DP ‘Getting Started’ Fee ($1,000): This applies to all incoming MPA-DP students. ‘Getting Started’ is the orientation program for the MPA-DP program.
  4. Excel Workshop ($30): We offer a series of 0-credit Excel courses to help students build their skills. One of these is an advanced Excel course on financial modeling, provided through an external vendor, Training the Street. This course fee helps bring Training the Street to SIPA.
  5. International Finance & Monetary Theory Fee ($120): Covers the cost of the e-textbook and resources for the course. This fee was introduced in response to student concerns about the high cost of the textbook and difficulties in purchasing it. The course fee allows students to use financial aid to cover the cost and enables SIPA to manage the distribution of e-resources for the course centrally.