Value
There are many factors that make a high-quality Maxwell education affordable. Consider:
Time to completion. Our professional graduate programs are designed to be efficient to save both time and cost.
Accelerated midcareer options. Part- and full-time 30-credit executive master’s programs offer even more flexibility for the busy professional both online and on campus.
Cost of living and convenience. Syracuse, New York, is both affordable and close to major hubs, such as Albany, Boston, New York City, Toronto, and Washington, D.C. Our campus in Washington, D.C., provides even greater access to professional and academic resources.
Proven job placement. Our graduates consistently obtain positions in their desired fields within six months of graduation. The Palmer Career Center provides more employment data for recent graduates as well as expert career guidance for all Maxwell students and graduates.
Tuition and Fees
Syracuse University graduate tuition is charged by the credit hour. The graduate tuition rate is set by the Syracuse University Board of Trustees each year; while we don’t yet know the tuition for the 2026-27 academic year, you can use the current rate and knowledge that it typically increases by 3 to 5% to help with your planning. The 2025-26 graduate tuition rate is $2,015 per credit.
Students also have the option to stretch out their full-time enrollment to 1.5 years by taking fewer credits at a given time. While additional fees, such as health insurance and the student activities fee will apply, as tuition is charged on a per-credit basis, tuition costs are comparable under the 1- and 1.5-year plans.
We’ve developed the following tuition and fees worksheets to help you understand the direct costs associated with your graduate studies. Please note that these are just guides and that all official bills and student account information will come directly from the Syracuse University Office of the Bursar.
2025-2026* Tuition and Fees Details**
Public Administration, M.P.A. (40 credits, 1-year) Summer Start
| Billable Expenses | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026+ | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Billable Expenses Credits | 7 | 12 | 15 | 6 | 40 |
Tuition Charges ($2,015 per credit) | $14,105 | $24,180 | $30,225 | $12,090 | $80,600 |
Advance Enrollment Deposit | ($500) | - | - | - | ($500) |
Health and Wellness Fee | - | $445 | $445 | - | $890 |
Health Insurance*** | - | $2,664 | - | - | $2,664 |
Student Activity Fee | - | $60 | $60 | - | $120 |
Total | $13,605 | $27,349 | $30,730 | $12,090 | $83,774 |
Public Administration, M.P.A. (40 credits, 1-year option) Fall Start
| Billable Expenses | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026+ | Fall 2026+ | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Billable Expenses Credits | 16 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 40 |
Tuition Charges ($2,015 per credit) | $32,240 | $30,225 | $0 | $18,135 | $80,600 |
Advance Enrollment Deposit | ($500) | $0 | $0 | $0 | ($500) |
Health and Wellness Fee | $445 | $445 | - | $445 | $1,335 |
Health Insurance*** | $2,664 | $0 | $0 | $1,143 | $3,807 |
Student Activity Fee | $60 | $60 | - | $60 | $180 |
Billable Expenses Total | $33,394 | $30,730 | $0 | $19,783 | $83,774 |
***Required if proof of ACA compliant insurance is not provided. Rates shown are for the 2025-26 academic year.
+Please note that the tuition rate will increase for the second year of your program; increases are generally around 3-5%.
International Relations, M.A. (40 credits)
| Billable Expenses | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026+ | Fall 2026+ | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Billable Expenses Credits | Fall 2025 12 | Spring 2026 13 | Summer 2026+ 3 | Fall 2026+ 12 | Total 40 |
Tuition Charges ($2,015 per credit) | $24,180 | $26,195 | $6,045 | $24,180 | $80,600 |
Advance Enrollment Deposit | ($500) | $0 | $0 | $0 | ($500) |
Maxwell in Washington Program Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $400 | $400 |
Health and Wellness Fee | $445 | $445 | $0 | $445 | $1,335 |
Health Insurance*** | $2,664 | $0 | $0 | $1,143 | $3,807 |
Student Activity Fee | $60 | $60 | $0 | $60 | $180 |
Billable Expenses Total | $26,260 | $26,700 | $6,045 | $26,288 | $85,293 |
***Required if proof of ACA compliant insurance is not provided. Rates shown are for the 2025-26 academic year.
+Please note that the tuition rate will increase for the second year of your program; increases are generally around 3–5%.
International Relations, M.A. / Public Administration, M.P.A. dual degree (58 credits) Summer Start
| Billable Expenses | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026+ | Fall 2026+ | Spring 2027+ | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Billable Expenses Credits | 7 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 12 | 9 | 58 |
Tuition Charges ($2,015 per credit) | $14,105 | $24,180 | $24,180 | $12,090 | $24,180 | $18,135 | $116,870 |
Advance Enrollment Deposit | ($500) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ($500) |
Maxwell-in-Washington Program Fee | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $400 | $0 | $400 |
Health and Wellness Fee | $0 | $445 | $445 | $0 | $445 | $445 | $1,780 |
Health Insurance*** | $0 | $2,664 | $0 | $0 | $2,664 | $0 | $5,328 |
Student Activity Fee | $0 | $60 | $60 | $0 | $60 | $60 | $240 |
Billable Expenses Total | $13,605 | $27,349 | $24,685 | $12,090 | $27,749 | $18,640 | $124,118 |
International Relations, M.A. / Public Administration, M.P.A. dual degree (58 credits) Fall Start
| Billable Expenses | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026+ | Fall 2026+ | Spring 2027+ | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Billable Expenses Credits | 13 | 15 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 58 |
Tuition Charges ($2,015 per credit) | $26,195 | $30,225 | $12,090 | $24,180 | $24,180 | $116,870 |
Advance Enrollment Deposit | ($500) | – | – | – | – | ($500) |
Maxwell in Washington Program Fee | – | – | – | $400 | – | $400 |
Health and Wellness Fee | $445 | $445 | – | $445 | $445 | $1,780 |
Health Insurance*** | $2,664 | – | – | $2,664 | – | $5,328 |
Student Activity Fee | $60 | $60 | – | $60 | $60 | $240 |
Total | $28,864 | $30,730 | $12,090 | $27,749 | $24,685 | $124,118 |
***Required if proof of ACA compliant insurance is not provided. Rates shown are for the 2025-26 academic year.
+Please note that the tuition rate will increase for the second year of your program; increases are generally around 3–5%.
Public Diplomacy and Global Communications, M.A. (43 credits)
| Billable Expenses | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026+ | Fall 2026+ | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Credits | 6 | 12 | 13 | 3 | 9 | 43 |
Tuition Charges ($2,015 per credit) | $12,090 | $24,180 | $26,195 | $6,045 | $18,135 | $86,645 |
Advance Enrollment Deposit | ($500) | – | – | – | – | ($500) |
Program Fee | – | $600 | – | – | – | $600 |
Maxwell in Washington Fee | – | – | – | – | $400 | $400 |
Health and Wellness Fee | – | $445 | $445 | – | $445 | $1,335 |
Health Insurance*** | – | $2,664 | – | – | $1,143 | $3,807 |
Student Activity Fee | – | $60 | $60 | – | $60 | $180 |
Total | $11,590 | $27,949 | $26,700 | $6,045 | $20,183 | $92,467 |
***Required if proof of ACA compliant insurance is not provided. Rates shown are for the 2025-26 academic year.
+Please note that the tuition rate will increase for the second year of your program; increases are generally around 3-5%.
Sustainable Organizations and Policy, M.S. (30 credits)
| Billable Expenses | Fall 2025 | Spring 2026 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Credits | 15 | 15 | 30 |
Tuition Charges ($2,015 per credit) | $30,225 | $30,225 | $60,450 |
Advance Enrollment Deposit | ($500) | – | ($500) |
Health and Wellness Fee | $445 | $445 | $890 |
Health Insurance*** | $2,664 | – | $2,664 |
Student Activity Fee | $60 | $60 | $120 |
Total | $32,894 | $30,730 | $63,624 |
***Required if proof of ACA compliant insurance is not provided. Rates shown are for the 2025-26 academic year.
*The graduate tuition rate is set by the Syracuse University Board of Trustees each year, usually late in May or June. While we don’t yet know the tuition for the 2026-27 academic year, you can use the current rate to help with planning. We will update this chart for the 2026-27 academic year as soon as the new rates are announced.
**This worksheet is for planning purposes only. Official student account information is provided via the Office of the Bursar.
Other Costs
In addition to the direct cost of attendance, graduate students should anticipate indirect costs throughout the duration of their programs. These costs include books and supplies, housing, transportation, and others; they are not billed by Syracuse University.
Please see the Syracuse University Graduate Student Cost of Attendance page for other expenses such as mandatory health insurance and student fees.
Many affordable options for off-campus housing are available in the city of Syracuse. Additionally, be sure to consider the overall program length when comparing offers, as a 2-year program will have twice the living expense costs compared to a 1-year program.
For students completing their professional internship, costs of living will vary greatly during the affected summer and fall terms, depending on which U.S.-based or global program the student selects. Students may apply for competitive awards to assist with financing abroad internships.
Financial Aid
Syracuse University offers financial aid in two distinct ways: merit-based aid and need-based aid.
Merit-Based Aid
At the graduate level, merit-based aid is offered directly from the Public Administration and International Affairs Department. Students interested in merit-based aid should indicate this on the application for admission and apply by the priority deadline.
Professional Master’s Programs
Department awards are made at the time of admission, typically in the form of tuition scholarships that will cover a percentage of your tuition charges each semester for the duration of your program. Awards are merit-based and determined based on the application materials submitted. Awards continue to be made until all resources have been committed or we have reached our enrollment capacity. International students receive the same consideration for merit-based awards as U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
Maxwell has partnerships with many external organizations that will support students through financial aid. Some of these may require additional application materials or have additional eligibility requirements. See your program of interest for more information.
Ph.D. in Public Administration
All Ph.D. students receive department funding at the time of admission and are required to serve as graduate assistants with both research and teaching duties.
Executive Master’s Programs
Midcareer professionals interested in executive master’s degree programs can offset their tuition costs through employer contributions in addition to scholarships, loans and grants. Applications are reviewed year round, though students interested in being considered for funding are strongly encouraged to apply before the priority deadline.
Need-Based Aid
Need-based aid includes federal student loans, grants and more. Syracuse University’s Office of Financial Aid offers guidance on how to apply for loans and other types of aid. All U.S. citizens and permanent residents should complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form.
