2022-2023 academic year cost of attendance at Harvard Kennedy School
2023-2024 Tuition and Fees
The Harvard Kennedy School cost of attendance for the 2023-2024 academic year is outlined below to help you plan financially for our master’s degree programs. Living expense costs are based on residence in Cambridge.
HKS tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. The 2024-2025 academic year rates will be published in March 2024.
2023-2024 Tuition and Fees by Program
Master in Public Policy
Master in Public Policy (MPP)
| Tuition | $57,660 |
| Course materials fee | $574 |
| HKS student activity fee | $220 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,408 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,120 |
| Total tuition and fees | $63,982 |
| Estimated living expenses (9 months) | $21,258 |
| Personal expenses and travel | $4,806 |
| Books and supplies | $1,548 |
| Total indirect costs | $27,612 |
| Total cost of attendance | $91,594 |
Master in Public Administration
Master in Public Administration (MPA)
| Tuition | $57,660 |
| Course materials fee | $574 |
| HKS student activity fee | $220 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,408 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,120 |
| Total tuition and fees | $63,982 |
| Estimated living expenses (9 months) | $21,258 |
| Personal expenses and travel | $4,806 |
| Books and supplies | $1,548 |
| Total indirect costs | $27,612 |
| Total cost of attendance | $91,594 |
Master in Public Administration in International Development
Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID)
| Tuition | $57,660 |
| MPA/ID Math Seminar** | $2,060 |
| Course materials fee | $574 |
| HKS student activity fee | $220 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,408 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,120 |
| Total tuition and fees | $66,042 |
| Estimated living expenses (9 months) | $21,258 |
| Personal expenses and travel | $4,806 |
| Books and supplies | $1,548 |
| Total indirect costs | $27,612 |
| Total cost of attendance | $93,654 |
** Incoming students entering the first year of the MPA/ID program will be assessed the MPA/ID Math Seminar .
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA)
| Tuition | $57,660 |
| Mid-Career MPA Summer Program | $8,818 |
| Course materials fee | $574 |
| HKS student activity fee | $220 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,408 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,120 |
| University Health Services (optional July coverage)* | $507 |
| Total tuition and fees (excluding optional July health coverage) | $72,800 |
| Estimated living expenses (10 months) | $23,620 |
| Personal expenses and travel | $5,340 |
| Books and supplies | $1,820 |
| Total indirect costs | $30,780 |
| Total cost of attendance | $103,580 |
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration Mason Program
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) Edward S. Mason Program
| Tuition | $57,660 |
| Mason Program Seminar | $3,832 |
| Mid-Career MPA Summer Program | $8,818 |
| Course materials fee | $574 |
| HKS student activity fee | $220 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,408 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,120 |
| University Health Services (optional July coverage)* | $507 |
| Total tuition and fees (excluding optional July health coverage) | $76,632 |
| Estimated living expenses (10 months) | $23,620 |
| Personal expenses and travel | $5,340 |
| Books and supplies | $1,820 |
| Total indirect costs | $30,780 |
| Total cost of attendance | $107,412 |
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration PLC Pathway
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) PLC Pathway
Summer & Fall
| Tuition |
$36,326 |
| Mason Program Seminar | $2,414 |
| Mid-Career MPA Summer Program | $8,818 |
| Course materials fee | $362 |
| HKS student activity fee | $110 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $704 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $2,060 |
| Total tuition and fees | $48,380 |
| Total tuition and fees (Mason Fellows) | $50,794 |
| Estimated living and personal expenses | $17,715 |
| Books and supplies | $910 |
| Total indirect costs | $18,625 |
| Total cost of attendance | $67,005 |
| Total cost of attendance (Mason Fellows) | $69,419 |
Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA) PLC Pathway
Summer & Spring
Summer
| Mason Program Seminar | $2,414 |
| Mid-Career MPA Summer Program | $8,818 |
| Estimated living and personal expenses | $4,828 |
| Total tuition and fees | $13,646 |
| Total tuition and fees (Mason Fellows) | $16,060 |
Spring
| Tuition | $36,326 |
| Course materials fee | $362 |
| HKS student activity fee | $110 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $704 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $2,060 |
| Total tuition and fees | $39,562 |
| Estimated living and personal expenses | $12,887 |
| Books and supplies | $910 |
| Total indirect costs | $13,797 |
| Total cost of attendance | $53,359 |
* It is mandatory that you hold health insurance while enrolled full time at HKS. If you are enrolled in a comparable health insurance plan, you may be eligible to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan. Dental coverage is not included as part of the university health plan; it can be purchased at an additional cost. Visit the Harvard University Health Services website for details.
Note on Medical Insurance
Students will automatically be enrolled in the Harvard Student Health Plan unless proof of comparable alternative insurance coverage is provided. Comparable insurance might include:
- Coverage under a parent’s health plan
- Employer provided health insurance
- Coverage under a spouse’s plan
- Coverage through MassHealth
- Coverage for active duty military personnel from the VA
Visit the Harvard University Health Services website for more information.
Only the cost of the Harvard Student Health Insurance Plan—or a plan that you, personally, are paying—can be included in your cost of attendance. Additionally, if you receive HKS scholarship assistance that covers the Student Health Insurance Plan, waiving it will result in a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your award.
Childcare
If you will need childcare, we encourage you to consider that expense when you plan your time at HKS. In keeping with the general cost of living in the Cambridge/Boston area, the cost of childcare can be quite high. The type of childcare that is appropriate for a family will vary, however this website for Harvard-affiliated day care centers provides a fair example of the average cost of childcare in Cambridge.
Dependent Costs
The cost breakdown below is for international students’ reference only and cannot be used to increase the amount of scholarship, fellowship, or loan funding for which an international student is eligible. U.S. federal regulations prohibit HKS from including dependents’ day-to-day costs in domestic students’ cost of attendance.
U.S. health care costs are very high. Lacking medical insurance or being unable to pay for health care services may prevent spouses or children from receiving medical care.
| Number of Dependents | Maintenance | Mandatory Health Fees (academic year)* |
Mandatory Summer Health Fees (monthly) |
| One | $900 per month | $8,464 | $736 |
| Two | $1,600 per month | $12,962 | $1,153 |
| Three | $2,100 per month | $15,224 | $1,384 |
| More than three | $2,100 per month plus $4,500 per dependent beyond three per academic year |
$15,224 |
$1,384 |
*The HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF) and Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) are required for all dependents.
For reference