
Tuition and Fees
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. Please see the Course Fees section for courses with additional charges.
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Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total Direct Costs Tuition (12-15 credits per term) 35,684 35,684 71,368 Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 2,044 3,323 5,367 Health and Related Services Fee 723 723 1,446 SIPA Computer Lab Fee (See Columbia's fee details here) 208 208 416 University Services and Support Fee 618 618 1,236 Student Activity Fee 73 73 146 Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 39,350 40,629 79,979 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 52,399 56,785 109,184 -
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 $2,974 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.
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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.
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Course fees - applies to everyone taking the class MDP Class Fee -U4423- Fall 2025 term $ 1,000 EPD Workshop Class Fee-U9001- Spring 2026 term $ 400 English for SIPA Course-U6950- Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 terms $ 60 SIPA Workshop Class Fee U9000- Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 terms $ 400 Excel Class Fee-U4012- Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 terms $ 30 Int Finance & Monetary Theory-U6018- Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 terms $ 120 -
Program credits per term Flat rate charge for each credit taken above 15 credits per term MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP- Residence Unit 7.5 to 15 $34,200.00 $2,974 MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP- 1/2 Residence Unit 1 to 7 $19,950.00 MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP-- Extended Residence 1 to 4 $11,404.00
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.
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Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total Direct Costs Tuition (12-19 credits per term) 35,684 35,684 35,684 107,052 Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 1,252 2,044 3,323 6,619 Health and Related Services Fee 500 723 723 1,946 SIPA Computer Lab Fee 200 208 208 616 University Services and Support Fee 582 618 618 1,818 Student Activity Fee 0 73 73 146 Document Fee 105 0 0 105 Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 38,323 39,350 40,629 118,302 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 48,017 52,399 56,785 157,201 -
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 $2,974 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.
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Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total Direct Costs Tuition 15,264 15,264 15,264 45,792 Health and Related Services Fee 250 217 217 684 SIPA Computer Lab Fee 200 200 200 600 University Services and Support Fee 436 469 469 1,374 Student Activity Fee 0 70 70 140 Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 16,150 16,220 16,220 48,590 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 25,844 29,269 32,376 87,489 -
Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total Direct Costs Tuition 22,896 22,896 22,896 68,688 Health and Related Services Fee 250 217 217 684 SIPA IT/AV Fee 200 200 200 600 University Services and Support Fee 436 469 469 1,374 Student Activity Fee 0 70 70 140 Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 23,782 23,852 23,852 71,486 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 33,476 36,901 40,008 110,385 -
Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total Direct Costs Tuition 30,528 30,528 30,528 91,584 Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 1,252 2,044 3,323 6,619 Health and Related Services Fee 500 723 723 1,946 SIPA IT/AV Fee 200 200 200 600 University Services and Support Fee 582 618 618 1,818 Student Activity Fee 0 70 70 140 Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 33,062 34,183 35,462 102,707 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 42,756 47,232 51,618 141,606 -
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.
Document Fee: All students in their first semester of enrollment at Columbia University are charged a $105 Document Fee (formerly known as Transcript Fee).
Health Insurance: Students beginning the program in the summer term will be charged $1,252 for summer health insurance. Continuing students who were enrolled in the spring term and charged for health insurance will not be charged again for the summer.
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.
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Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total Direct Costs Tuition (12-19 credits per term) 32,750 32,750 32,750 98,250 Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 1,252 2,044 3,323 6,619 Health and Related Services Fee 500 723 723 1,946 SIPA Computer Lab Fee 250 250 250 750 University Services and Support Fee 582 618 618 1,818 Student Activity Fee 70 73 73 216 Document Fee 105 0 0 105 Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 35,509 36,458 37,737 109,704 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 45,203 49,507 53,893 148,603 -
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 $2,730per 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.
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Tuition and fees for PhD students at Columbia are set by the Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), and financial aid opportunities for PhD students are available through that office instead of the SIPA Financial Aid Office.
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.
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Summer 2025 Fall 2025 Spring 2026 Total ESTIMATED DIRECT COSTS Tuition (12-18 credits per term) 5,514 35,684 35,684 76,882 Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) - 2,044 3,323 5,367 Health and Related Services Fee 250 723 723 1,696 SIPA Computer Lab Fee 200 208 208 616 University Services and Support Fee 436 618 618 1,672 Student Activity Fee - 73 73 146 Document Fee 105 - - 105 Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 6,505 39,350 40,629 86,484 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 13,342 52,399 56,785 122,526 -
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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 $$2,974 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.
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SUPPLEMENTAL TUITION & FEES
- Students beginning the program in the summer term will be charged $1,252 for summer health insurance. Continuing students who were enrolled in the spring term and charged for health insurance will not be charged again for the summer.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.