The cost of attendance for the 2025-2026 academic year is outlined below to help domestic students plan financially for their year at Harvard Kennedy School.
These minimum budget amounts are conservative estimates of modest student living and lifestyle expenses in the Boston-Cambridge area. They do not include costs such as international travel or buying a personal computer.
Academic Year 2025-2026 Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice. It is important to note that tuition is expected to increase 3-4 percent each year.
Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $61,926 |
| Course materials fee | $618 |
| HKS student activity fee | $250 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,800 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,308 |
| Total tuition and fees | $68,902 |
| Estimated living expenses (9 months) | $25,146 |
| Personal expenses | $2,349 |
| Transportation | $1,035 |
| Books and supplies | $1,611 |
| Total indirect costs | $30,141 |
| Total cost of attendance | $99,043 |
Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $61,926 |
| Course materials fee | $618 |
| HKS student activity fee | $250 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,800 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,308 |
| Total tuition and fees | $68,902 |
| Estimated living expenses (9 months) | $25,146 |
| Personal expenses | $2,349 |
| Transportation | $1,035 |
| Books and supplies | $1,611 |
| Total indirect costs | $30,141 |
| Total cost of attendance | $99,043 |
Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $61,926 |
| MPA/ID Math Seminar** | $2,213 |
| Course materials fee | $618 |
| HKS student activity fee | $250 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,800 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,308 |
| Total tuition and fees | $71,115 |
| Estimated living expenses (9 months) | $25,146 |
| Personal expenses | $2,349 |
| Transportation | $1,035 |
| Books and supplies | $1,611 |
| Total indirect costs | $30,141 |
| Total cost of attendance | $101,256 |
** Incoming students entering the first year of the MPA/ID Program will be assessed the MPA/ID Math Seminar.
Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $61,926 |
| Mid-Career MPA Summer Program | $9,429 |
| Course materials fee | $618 |
| HKS student activity fee | $250 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,800 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,308 |
| University Health Services (optional July coverage)* | $543 |
| Total tuition and fees (excluding optional July health coverage) | $78,331 |
| Estimated living expenses (10 months) | $27,940 |
| Personal expenses | $2,610 |
| Transportation | $1,150 |
| Books and supplies | $1,895 |
| Total indirect costs | $33,595 |
| Total cost of attendance | $111,926 |
Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $61,926 |
| Mason Program Seminar | $4,115 |
| Mid-Career MPA Summer Program | $9,429 |
| Course materials fee | $618 |
| HKS student activity fee | $250 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $1,800 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $4,308 |
| University Health Services (optional July coverage)* | $543 |
| Total tuition and fees (excluding optional July health coverage) | $82,446 |
| Estimated living expenses (10 months) | $27,940 |
| Personal expenses | $2,610 |
| Transportation | $1,150 |
| Books and supplies | $1,895 |
| Total indirect costs | $33,595 |
| Total cost of attendance | $116,041 |
Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $39,013 |
| Mid-Career MPA Summer Program | $9,429 |
| Course materials fee | $389 |
| HKS student activity fee | $125 |
| HUHS Student Health Fee (SHF)* | $900 |
| Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)* | $2,154 |
| University Health Services (optional July coverage)* | $543 |
| Total tuition and fees (excluding optional July health coverage) | $52,010 |
| Mason Program Seminar (Mason Fellows only) | $4,115 |
| Total tuition and fees (Mason Fellows) | $56,125 |
| Estimated living and personal expenses | $13,970 |
| Books and supplies | $947 |
| Personal | $1,305 |
| Transportation | $575 |
| Total indirect costs | $16,797 |
| Total cost of attendance | $68,807 |
| Total cost of attendance (Mason Fellows) | $72,922 |
Dependent Costs
Federal regulations prohibit Harvard Kennedy School from including dependents’ day-to-day costs in a domestic student’s expense budget.
If you plan on bringing your partner, spouse, and/or children to HKS, you will need to demonstrate sufficient savings to cover your dependents’ costs during the academic year.