Your tuition at the University of Pennsylvania is calculated at a per course unit (c.u.)* rate based on the program you choose and the number of course units for which you register unless otherwise indicated. All tuition and fee charges are subject to the approval of the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania and may change without notice.
Choose your program of interest to learn about the relevant tuition and fees.
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 tuition and fee rates for Master of Public Administration students
Tuition per semester is calculated based on student enrollment in four courses in the fall, four courses in the spring, and one course in the summer. Any additional courses have a $6,574 per c.u. tuition rate.
| Fall | Spring | *Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $26,296 | $26,296 | $6,574 |
| General Fee | $1,830 | $1,830 | $456 |
| Clinical Fee | $332 | $332 | N/A |
| Total | $28,458 | $28,458 | $7,030 |
*Cost of attendance for summer terms is estimated, as tuition and fees are adjusted during this term for the subsequent academic year.
The Full-time Master of Public Administration requires 9 c.u. to complete: tuition per term is calculated based on student enrollment in four courses (4 c.u.) in the fall, four courses (4 c.u.) in the spring, and one course (1 c.u.) in the summer. Cost of attendance for summer terms is estimated, as tuition and fees are adjusted during this term for the subsequent academic year.
Fall 2022 - Spring 2023 tuition and fee rates for Executive Master of Public Administration students
Tuition per semester covers the required two courses Executive MPA students take per term. Individual courses have a $6,574 per c.u. tuition rate.
| Fall | Spring | *Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,148 | $13,148 | $13,148 |
| General fee | $912 | $912 | $912 |
| Program fee | $600 | N/A | N/A |
| Total | $14,660 | $14,060 | $14,060 |
*Cost of attendance for summer terms is estimated, as tuition and fees are adjusted during this term for the subsequent academic year.
The Executive Master of Public Education requires 10 c.u. to complete: 2 c.u. per term for five terms. The chart above shows tuition and fees for three terms in the current academic year; tuition and fees for terms in the upcoming academic year may change. Cost of attendance for summer terms is estimated, as tuition and fees are adjusted during this term for the subsequent academic year.
Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 tuition and fee rates for Non-Degree students
| 1 c.u. | 2 c.u. | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $6,574 | $13,148 |
| General fee | $442 | $884 |
| Total | $7,016 | $14,032 |
Tuition is based on the number of courses taken per term.
*Academic credit is defined by the University of Pennsylvania as a course unit (c.u.). A course unit (c.u.) is a general measure of academic work over a period of time, typically a term (semester or summer). A c.u. (or a fraction of a c.u.) represents different types of academic work across different types of academic programs and is the basic unit of progress toward a degree. One c.u. is usually converted to a four-semester-hour course.
Fels offers a variety of scholarship opportunities to support students as they become the next generation of public sector leaders. Fels strives to support students who have demonstrated a commitment to public service, who bring perspectives and diversity to public sector leadership, and who show exceptional potential as future leaders.
Eligibility: Students in the Full-time MPA and Executive MPA degree programs are eligible for scholarships funds from the Fels Institute of Government. Scholarship amounts depend on the admission committee’s assessment of the applicant, the individual’s fit with Fels, and the amount of funding available. Penn employees who receive a tuition benefit are not eligible for scholarships. Applicants are considered for Fels scholarships through their admission application materials. Separate scholarship applications are not required.
We also encourage students to research their eligibility for federal financial aid opportunities listed below.
The 15 for 5 Scholarship is available to a limited number of Executive MPA applicants who are currently employed full-time in a branch of the US military or a federal, state, or local government agency, and who have accrued a total of at least five years of service to government and/or military agencies. Pending a resume review and fund availability, the scholarship awards qualified students $15,000 in financial aid disbursed throughout the program.
Students admitted to the Fels Institute of Government Full-time MPA or Executive MPA program who are current members or alumni of a Fels admissions partner organization may be eligible for an Admission Partner Grant of at least $8,000, and potentially more for some specially qualified candidates. Applicants who are awarded the 15 for 5 Scholarship are not eligible for the partner grant.
Current admission partners include:
Students with exceptional potential, academic ability, and/or track-records of public service who are not eligible for the Admissions Partner Grant or the 15 for 5 Scholarship may be considered for merit-based scholarships based on their application materials. Students will be contacted if additional information is needed. Fels Public Service Scholarships are typically between $1,000 and $15,000.
Open to all Full-time MPA students, the Fels Public Leadership and Service (PLAS) Fellowship Program provides students with financial support to pursue meaningful internships with government agencies and nonprofit organizations around the world that would otherwise be unpaid. Students can be awarded up to $5,000 to pursue their public sector internship.
If you intend to complete a Fels degree as a working professional, you may be able to take advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits offered by your employer. If you are a full-time Penn employee, learn more about Penn's tuition benefits on Penn’s Human Resources website. Applicants who are eligible for University of Pennsylvania employee tuition benefits are not eligible to apply for Fels scholarships or grants.
Penn honors the Yellow Ribbon Program, which is a provision of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. The program allows Penn to voluntarily enter into an agreement with the VA to fund tuition expenses for eligible veterans. There are limited openings in each school for Yellow Ribbon awards. To learn more about the Yellow Ribbon Program and how to apply, visit the Veterans at Penn page.
All domestic applicants interested in their federal loan eligibility should complete the FAFSA form after applying to the program. Visit the Department of Education’s website to start your FAFSA form.
Executive MPA applicants are eligible for federal loans as long as they matriculate in two classes during two academic terms in a single year. Enrollment in one class during the academic year will result in a withdrawal of federal loans.
Penn’s Student Financial Services office is available to prospective and current students for financial aid inquiries. For more information on financing your graduate studies, visit the Student Financial Services website to:
The Fels Institute of Government
3814 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 898-7326
felsinstitute@sas.upenn.edu
