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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 2026-2027 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.

  •   Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Total
    Direct Costs      
    Tuition (12-16.5 credits per term) 37,111 37,111 74,222
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 2,248 3,655 5,903
    Health and Related Services Fee  752 752 1,504
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee  (See Columbia's fee details here) 200 200 400
    University Services and Support Fee 643 643 1,286
    Student Activity Fee  70 70 140
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 41,024 42,431 83,455
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs      
    Rent and Food 11,278 14,100 25,378
    Books and Supplies 645 645 1,290
    Personal Expenses 1,616 2,020 3,636
    Transportation 604 755 1,359
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 14,143 17,520 31,663
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 55,167 59,951 115,118

  • SIPA has launched an Accelerated Spring Entry for MIA and MPA students in Spring 2026, enabling degree completion in 16 months five months faster than the traditional path through an added summer term.

    The Accelerated Program has the same per-term tuition and fees as our 21-month program. You would be billed as a full-time student for Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Spring 2027 terms. Current tuition and fee estimates are available for the 2026–2027 academic year; costs for Summer 2026 (the first term of the 2026–2027 academic year) are current as of February 2026. We anticipate tuition and fees for the 2027–2028 academic year will increase by approximately 4% from the current published rates.

     

  • 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 February 13, 2026, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 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 16.5 credits in a semester are $3,093 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.
  • Course fees - applies to all students enrolled in these classes    
    MPA-DP "Getting Started" (DVPR IA5000)   $1,000 
    American Language Program - English for SIPA (SIPA IA5000)   $60 
    Capstone Workshops with international student travel (DVGO IA9000 and SIPA IA9000)   $450 
    Excel - Financial Modeling, Training the Street (SIPA IA0412)   $30 
    International Finance & Monetary Theory (IFEP IA7600)   $120 
  • Program credits per term
    MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP- Residence Unit 12 to 16.5
    MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP- 1/2 Residence Unit 1 to 11.5 
    MIA, MPA, and MPA-DP-- Extended Residence 1 to 4

  • Students enrolled in the Master of International Affairs (MIA) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs are required to complete 54 credits and earn 4 Residence Units to qualify for their degree. Full-time enrollment is defined as 12 to 16.5 points per term, and one full-time term earns one Residence Unit. Enrollment in 11.5 points or fewer earns one-half Residence Unit. After a student has either graduated or completed all 4 Residence Units, they may register for Extended Residence with permission from the SIPA Dean of Students.

MPA-EPM

Estimated cost of attendance for the MPA-EPM program for the 2026-2027 academic year. Other fees may be applicable to certain courses or activities selected by some students.

  •   Summer 2026 Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition (12-19 credits per term) 37,111 37,111 37,111 111,333
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 1,377 2,248 3,655 7,280
    Health and Related Services Fee  500 752 752 2,004
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee 200 200 200 600
    University Services and Support Fee 582 643 643 1,868
    Student Activity Fee  0 70 70 140
    Document Fee 105 0 0 105
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 39,875 41,024 42,431 123,330
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 8,459 11,278 14,100 33,837
    Books and Supplies 645 645 645 1,935
    Personal Expenses 1,212 1,616 2,020 4,848
    Transportation 453 604 755 1,812
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 10,769 14,143 17,520 42,432
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 50,644 55,167 59,951 165,762

  • 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 February 13, 2026, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 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 $3,093 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 2026-2027 academic year. Other fees may be applicable to certain courses or activities selected by some students.

  •   Summer 2026 Fall 2027 Spring 2028 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition 15,875 15,875 15,875 47,625
    Health and Related Services Fee  250 226 226 702
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee 200 200 200 600
    University Services and Support Fee 453 488 488 1,429
    Student Activity Fee  0 70 70 140
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 16,778 16,859 16,859 50,496
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 8,459 11,278 14,100 33,837
    Books and Supplies 645 645 645 1,935
    Personal Expenses 1,212 1,616 2,020 4,848
    Transportation 453 604 755 1,812
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 10,769 14,143 17,520 42,432
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 27,547 31,002 34,379 92,928
  •   Summer 2026 Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition 23,811 23,811 23,811 71,433
    Health and Related Services Fee  250 226 226 702
    SIPA IT/AV Fee 200 200 200 600
    University Services and Support Fee 453 488 488 1,429
    Student Activity Fee 0 70 70 140
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 24,714 24,795 24,795 74,304
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 8,459 11,278 14,100 33,837
    Books and Supplies 645 645 645 1,935
    Personal Expenses 1,212 1,616 2,020 4,848
    Transportation 453 604 755 1,812
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 10,769 14,143 17,520 42,432
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 35,483 38,938 42,315 116,736
  •   Summer 2026 Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition 31,749 31,749 31,749 95,247
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 1,377 2,248 3,655 7,280
    Health and Related Services Fee  500 752 752 2,004
    SIPA IT/AV Fee 200 200 200 600
    University Services and Support Fee 582 643 643 1,868
    Student Activity Fee  0 70 70 140
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 34,408 35,662 37,069 107,139
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 8,459 11,278 14,100 33,837
    Books and Supplies 645 645 645 1,935
    Personal Expenses 1,212 1,616 2,020 4,848
    Transportation 453 604 755 1,812
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 10,769 14,143 17,520 42,432
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 45,177 49,805 54,589 149,571

  • EMPA students are charged tuition at a rate of $2,645 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 February 13, 2026, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 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 2026-2027 academic year. Other fees may be applicable to certain courses or activities selected by some students.

  •   Summer 2026 Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Total
    Direct Costs        
    Tuition (12-19 credits per term) 34,072 34,072 34,072 102,216
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) 1,377 2,248 3,655 7,280
    Health and Related Services Fee  500 752 752 2,004
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee 250 250 250 750
    University Services and Support Fee 582 643 643 1,868
    Student Activity Fee  70 70 70 210
    Document Fee 105 0 0 105
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 36,956 38,035 39,442 114,433
    ESTIMATED Indirect Costs        
    Rent and Food 8,459 11,278 14,100 33,837
    Books and Supplies 645 645 645 1,935
    Personal Expenses 1,212 1,616 2,020 4,848
    Transportation 453 604 755 1,812
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 10,769 14,143 17,520 42,432
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COST 47,725 52,178 56,962 156,865

  • 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 February 13, 2026, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 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 $2,840 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.

MPA-GL

Estimated cost of attendance for the MPA Global Leadership program for the 2026-2027 academic year. Other fees may be applicable to certain courses or activities selected by some students.

  •   Summer 2026 Fall 2026 Spring 2027 Total
    ESTIMATED DIRECT COSTS        
    Tuition (12-18 credits per term) 5,734 37,111 37,111 79,956
    Medical Insurance (may be waived by some students) - 2,248 3,655 5,903
    Health and Related Services Fee  152 752 752 1,656
    SIPA Computer Lab Fee 200 200 200 600
    University Services and Support Fee 430 643 643 1,716
    Student Activity Fee - 70 70 140
    Document Fee 105 - - 105
    Total Direct Costs (charged by Columbia University) 6,621 41,024 42,431 90,076
    ESTIMATED INDIRECT COSTS        
    Rent and Food 5,640 11,278 14,100 31,803
    Books and Supplies 645 645 645 1,935
    Personal Expenses 808 1,616 2,020 4,444
    Transportation 302 604 755 1,661
    Total Estimated Indirect Costs 7,395 14,143 17,520 39,058
             
    TOTAL ESTIMATED COSTS 14,016 55,337 60,121 129,762

    • 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 February 13, 2026, and are subject to revision as the University finalizes its schedule of tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 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 $3,093 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.

PhD in Sustainable Development

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