The Executive Master of Public Administration tuition for new students starting in Summer 2025 is $89,536. Continuing EMPA students can find tuition rates for the 2025-2026 academic year on the Office of the Bursar’s website.

Note: The flat-rate tuition applies to the standard 18-month program. Students who extend beyond this period will incur additional costs.

Additional Notes

• A $105 application fee is due and payable when you submit your application.
• If you receive an offer of admission and want to accept it, you must officially do so through the online application system by the date indicated in your admission letter. When you accept your offer, you must also pay a non-refundable admission deposit of $500, which secures your place in the incoming class and will be credited toward your first-semester tuition bill. For more information, please visit the Office of the Bursar’s website.
• At this time, there are no general scholarships, fellowships, or grants awarded for this program; students are eligible to apply for federal loans. For questions about financial aid, including loan and grant eligibility, application, and disbursement, contact the Cornell University Office of Financial Aid.
• Alumni of our Pathways Program partners, including Teach for America and Peace Corps, may be considered for modest merit-based fellowship support.
• *Indirect costs are not billed by Cornell University and reflect estimated living and miscellaneous expenses incurred by students for books and residential intensive weeks; yours may vary and fluctuate marginally with inflation.
  • We estimate about $300 per term for books.
  • Accommodations for your residential intensive weeks are at your expense; you can make arrangements at any of several local hotels, inns, or bed and breakfasts. We offer recommendations regarding lodging, transportation, travel agencies, and more. Accommodation costs can vary; however, $200 per night is a reasonable estimate. More information about group hotel rates will be sent to admitted students in the future.
    • Incoming students will participate in two, one-week summer residential intensives and a graduation ceremony in May.
  • During the intensive, breakfast and lunch are provided, and students are expected to have dinner on their own most nights (budget approximately $25/dinner).
  • Travel costs will vary from student to student since some participants will need to fly to Ithaca or a nearby airport. Students should budget for travel to Ithaca and travel in/around Ithaca, which will depend on whether students drive their own car, rent a car, or rely on our bus system, the TCAT.
  • Room, board, and transportation costs for the Commencement Weekend in May will vary greatly from student to student. Very limited on-campus housing will be available; however, most individuals attending Commencement Weekend secure various types of accommodations within a 90-mile radius of campus. For more information about on-campus Commencement housing and local housing options, please the Commencement Office’s guest lodging webpage.