ESP Cost of Attendance
The Master of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Policy (ESP) tuition for new students starting in Summer 2026 is $62,709.*
The MS in ESP is a 12-month, Tier 2 degree program. The academic year runs from June 2026 to May 2027.
| Direct Costs | Summer 2026 | Fall 2026/Winter 2027 | Spring 2027 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year | $9,332 | $29,115* | $24,262* | $62,709* |
| Fees | |
|---|---|
| Student Activity Fee | $110 |
| Student Health Fee | $580 |
| Student Health Insurance (can be waived if student has existing coverage) | $3,685 |
*Note: The final tuition rate for the 2026-2027 academic year will be set in March 2026 by the Board of Trustees.
The flat-rate tuition applies to the standard 12-month program. Students who extend beyond this period will incur additional costs.
Indirect Costs
Indirect costs, such as housing, are not billed by Cornell University. For more information on official costs and personal expenses, please visit the Graduate School’s Cost of Attendance page and the Office of Financial Aid’s Cost of Attendance page for a full breakdown of estimated costs.
Estimated living and miscellaneous expenses should be calculated for a 12-month period (an academic year); your expenses may vary, depending on your lifestyle and personal needs.
Student Health Fee
Students studying on Cornell’s Ithaca campus pay the university’s student health fee to help support affordable and equitable access to high-quality on-campus health services, available to all students.
Student Health Insurance
You are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. If you wish to waive this coverage, you must provide proof of coverage that meets university requirements for an insurance waiver. The Office of Student Health Benefits can provide further information on benefit particulars and enrollment deadlines.
Admitted International Students: Certifying Funds
Should you accept an offer of admission, you will receive an email inviting you to complete the Admission Supplement for International Students. This email will include an estimate of your annual expenses and provide you with the amount of funding that you will need to certify for visa purposes. Upon completion of the Admission Supplement, you will be enrolled in the Cornell Graduate School, and its admissions team will issue your I-20 or DS-2019 (if applicable). For more information about certifying funds and the 1-20 process visit the Graduate School’s admitted student information page.