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Cornell University Cornell Brooks Public Policy

Cost of Attendance

Tuition for the 2023-2024 MPA cohort is $42,688.

The student health insurance, health fee, and estimated indirect attendance costs for the 2023-2024 academic year have not yet been finalized. This page will be updated on or before June 10.

Direct Costs

Total

Tuition and Fees (2022-2023)

$42,688

Student Activity Fee

$85

Student Health Fee 

$434

A final direct cost will be posted after the student health fee is determined on or before June 10.

Student Health Insurance (can be waived if student has existing coverage)

Estimated range is $3,756 to $3,864.

Final rates will be posted on or before June 10 once Cornell receives approval from New York State.

Total Direct Costs

$46,963 – $47,071**

A final direct cost will be posted after the student health insurance rate is determined on or before June 10.

Estimated Indirect Costs*

Total

Room and Board (9 months)

$17,534

Books and Supplies

$1,482

Personal Expenses and Transportation

$8,388

Total Estimated Indirect Costs *

$27,404

Estimated indirect costs have not been finalized yet by the university. Final estimated indirect costs will be posted in the near future.

Total Estimated Cost of Attendance (Direct Costs + Estimated Indirect Costs)= $74,367 – $74,475**

*Indirect costs are not billed by Cornell University and reflect estimated living and miscellaneous expenses incurred; yours may vary, depending on your lifestyle and personal needs.

** The student health insurance, health fee, and estimated indirect attendance costs for the 2023-2024 academic year have not yet been finalized. This page will be updated on or before June 10.

The following information is an explanation of your costs. 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.

Student Health Insurance

You are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. To appeal enrollment in the student plan, you must show that you have comparable coverage through another plan. The Office of Student Health Benefits can provide further information on benefit particulars and enrollment deadlines.

Student Health Fee

The student health fee, combined with other funding sources, enables Cornell Health to offer all students the same access to affordable on-campus care, no matter what health insurance they have. It also helps support campus-wide health initiatives that benefit the whole Cornell community.

Health fees are standard administrative fees at universities nationwide. Among Cornell’s Ivy Plus peers, those with exposed (listed separately) health fees typically range from $500 to $1,000 a year.  Please visit the Cornell Health website to view a comprehensive FAQ about the Student Health Fee. 

Room and Board

Your room and board budget is based on 9-months of estimated housing and food expenses for the academic year.  Summer costs will vary by student and are not included in this calculation.

Personal expenses

The personal allowance covers necessary student-related living expenses other than room and board and student health insurance, such as routine costs of transportation to and from campus (including parking fees) and basic telephone service.

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.