Tuition & Fees

The Harvard Kennedy School cost of attendance for the 2026-2027 academic year is outlined below to help you plan financially for our master’s degree programs. 

The cost of attendance includes direct and indirect expenses. Direct expenses—tuition and fees—are charged to your student account. Indirect expenses, such as living expenses, are based on residence in Cambridge and include the estimated cost of rent, utilities, and food. There may be other costs and/or expenses associated with attending HKS.

Full-time tuition covers enrollment in 12 to 24 credits per semester HKS tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. The 2027-2028 academic year rates will be published in March 2027.

2026-2027 Tuition and Fees by Program

* 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.

Dependent Maintenance Costs

HUSHP Rates for Dependents

*The HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF) and Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) are required for all dependents.