Navigating the Cost of a Georgetown McCourt School MPP: A Comprehensive Guide

Pursuing a Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree is a significant investment in one's future, and understanding the associated costs is crucial for making informed decisions. This article delves into the tuition expenses at Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy, exploring various factors that influence the overall cost and available financial aid opportunities.

Understanding Georgetown McCourt School Tuition and Fees

The McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University is a top-ranked institution offering a variety of graduate programs, including the MPP, Master of International Development Policy (MIDP), Master of Policy Management (MPM), and Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy (MS-DSPP). Tuition is assessed based on the number of credit hours taken per semester.

For the academic year 2026-2027, the tuition rate is as follows:

Fall 2026 and Spring 2027: $2,758 per credit hour
Summer 2026 term: $2,652 per credit hour

In addition to tuition, students are required to pay mandatory fees, including a Graduate Student Activity fee and, for those registered for eight or more credit hours, a Georgetown University Health Insurance charge. The rates for the 2026-2027 Georgetown Health Insurance Plan have not yet been released, but students entering in the summer term will be required to have summer coverage at a proration.

To illustrate the overall cost, consider the Cost of Attendance table for Flex MBA:

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3
Enrollment Fall 2025 (Credit Hours/Semester)	9	7.5	6
Enrollment Spring 2026 (Credit Hours/Semester)	9	7.5	3
Enrollment Summer 2026 (Credit Hours/Semester)	6	3	N/A
Direct Expenses
Tuition & Mandatory Fees*	\$66,645	\$46,528	\$22,185
Indirect Expenses
Average Housing & Food	\$27,110	\$27,110	\$22,185
Average Personal	\$5,978	\$5,978	\$4,890
Average Books & Supplies	\$1,600	\$1,450	\$1,300
Average Transportation	\$3,930	\$3,930	\$3,130
Federal Direct Loan Fees	\$2,400	\$2,400	\$1,600
Subtotal	\$41,018	\$40,868	\$33,105
Total Cost of Attendance	\$107,663	\$87,396	\$64,141

*Includes Graduate Activity Fee and Health Insurance. Flex MBA Online is not assessed mandatory Health Insurance.

Georgetown University's tuition is $71,338. Compared with the national average cost of tuition of $47,097, Georgetown University is more expensive. These figures include both tuition and fees, also referred to as the sticker price. Fees differ by institution and may fund library services, student gym facilities, student centers, technology resources and campus health centers. As you’re comparing costs of different institutions, also consider the total cost and the net price. The total cost is the sticker price, plus the cost of food and housing, books and supplies, and transportation and personal expenses. At Georgetown University, the total cost is $94,850. The average need-based scholarship or grant awarded to first-year students at Georgetown University was $56,082. Additionally, 37% of first-year students received need-based financial aid in fall 2023. Need-based self-help aid includes federal loans and work-study. The average need-based self-help aid awarded to first-year students was $4,551. Georgetown University met 100% of its students’ financial aid need.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities at McCourt

The McCourt School of Public Policy is committed to making its programs accessible to talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. The school offers a variety of merit-based scholarships, assistantships, and award opportunities for both admitted and returning students.

Merit-Based Scholarships

All MPP, MPM, MIDP, MS-DSPP and EMPL admitted students (including part-time students) are eligible to be considered for merit-based assistance as long as they submit their application by the Early Action (December 1) or Priority (January 15) deadlines. Scholarship notification is sent in the same letter as the admissions notification. All merit scholarship awards are guaranteed for the student’s first year of study. Scholarships awarded for the first year of study are renewable at the same rate for the second year of study (and third year for MPP part-time students) contingent on satisfactory academic progress (i.e. maintaining at least a 3.0 grade point average).

The McCourt Scholars program is a prestigious award for promising future policymakers and scholars whose background, experience, and academic excellence qualify them. All full-time MPP, MPM, MIDP, and MS-DSPP applicants who apply by the December 1 or January 15 deadline are eligible.

Read also: Understanding Georgetown Tuition

Specific Scholarship Programs

Craig Newmark Scholars: With generous support from Craig Newmark Philanthropies and the Dr. Scholl Foundation, the McCourt School of Public Policy is proud to increase access to public policy education for active-duty servicemen and women, veterans and military-connected students. Scholars are enrolled in our full-time or part-time graduate programs and receive scholarships of $20,000 and access to networking and community building opportunities.
Howard University Scholarship: This scholarship, open to degree-seeking students and alumni from Howard University, began in Fall 2021. Each year, one qualified candidate will receive a full tuition scholarship to attend one of the following McCourt School degree programs: MIDP, MPM, MPP (full time or Evening Program), MS-DSPP or EMPL. Applicants need to apply through the regular application process by the December 1 early action deadline or the January 15 priority deadline in order to ensure consideration for this award.
Fogel Scholarship: Open to all incoming McCourt School students, the Fogel Scholarship will be awarded to one McCourt student, who will receive an annual tuition scholarship of up to $25,000 and a semester-long research internship with stipend to work with scholars, economists, political scientists and foreign policy specialists at the American Enterprise Institute.
Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Staff Association Scholarship: Admitted Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Staff Association members are eligible for a minimum 25% tuition scholarship award from McCourt.

Fellowships

The Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership (CPNL) Graduate Leadership Fellowship: was established in 2024 to honor the work of Dr. Kathy Kretman for her lifelong commitment to advancing leadership through teaching and mentoring current and future leaders. For more than two decades, Dr. Kretman has served in several significant roles, including the Executive Director of the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership, Waldemar A. Nielsen Chair in Philanthropy, and Research Professor at the McCourt School of Public Policy. CPNL Graduate Leadership Fellows will work at CPNL on a leadership-based research project and build their leadership skills through customized seminars and workshops.
Waldemar A. Nielsen Philanthropy Fellowship: awards an $8,000 to $10,000 Fellowship to a student who has a keen interest in nonprofit and philanthropic organizations focused on justice and systemic change.
The endowed Pablo Eisenberg Public Interest Fellowship: was created in 2006 to honor the work of McCourt School of Public Policy Senior Fellow Pablo Eisenberg. The fellowships (up to two each year) are awarded to McCourt School of Public Policy students who, through academic pursuits as well as volunteer and work experience, demonstrate a strong commitment to social and economic justice, and the potential to play a leadership role in the public interest arena. The award is designed to offer each Fellow a unique research experience working for and being mentored by a current leader in the field.
Bradley Fellowship: The Bradley Fellowship (formerly known as the Joint Chiefs of Staff/Office of the Secretary of Defense/Army Staff Internship) is the United States Army’s premier company-grade officer broadening program. Bradley Fellows begin the program with rigorous, graduate education at the McCourt School of Public Policy. Fellows earn a Master of Policy Management degree that culminates with a capstone report addressing national security issues. Upon graduation, Bradley Fellows are assigned to either the Office of the Secretary of Defense or the Joint Staff for one year. Assignments are nominative, and aligned with Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff priorities.
Tech & Public Policy Scholars Program: The Tech & Public Policy Scholars Program is a select group of emerging leaders at the McCourt School, committed to helping shape the future of technology policy. All current students and applicants to the MPP, MPM, MIDP, and MS-DSPP programs are eligible for consideration for scholarship and research opportunities.
The NUF application deadline is January 15. The Fellowship will be given to 2 incoming students and offers a tuition subsidy of 40,000 per year for two years (one for MPM students) as well as training and mentorship from Israeli public policy alumni. During their time on campus, Fellows are responsible for leading Israel-related activities with the goal of sharing with their classmates an authentic, balanced, nuanced, and informed view of Israel.

Assistantship Opportunities

Graduate Assistants (GAs) will support McCourt School staff typically in an administrative capacity for up to 20 hours per week and are paid hourly (current rate is $19 per hour). All students (including international students) may apply for graduate assistant positions in late August.
Research Assistants (RAs) will support tenure-line McCourt School faculty in their research for approximately 10 hours per week and are paid hourly (current rate is $23 per hour). Several of McCourt’s Research Centers hire RAs throughout the academic year and the summer. All students (including international students) may apply for research assistant positions in late August.
Teaching Assistants (TAs) McCourt hires returning students and alumni as Teaching Assistants (TAs) for the academic year to help support faculty and students in the quantitative, economics, and data science courses. The pay is $23/hour for approximately 8-11 hours per week, and TAs are expected to hold office hours, answer questions, conduct recitations, grade assignments, and/or provide other support for faculty and students.

External Scholarships and Fellowships

Many organizations offer grant and scholarship awards based on financial need, academic merit, and/or other criteria such as ethnic background, residency, or employment affiliation. The McCourt School provides a list of some external scholarships and fellowships that may be relevant for its students. Georgetown’s Office of Graduate Fellowships & Awards is responsible for promoting external grant opportunities, proposal development services, and oversight of external grants and fellowships awarded to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows on the Main and Medical campuses at Georgetown. They also offer special information sessions, grant-writing workshops, program-specific presentations, and other events of potential interest to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

One example is the National Academy of Public Administration, which annually awards one Herbert Roback Scholarship of up to $5,500 to a graduate student currently enrolled, or admitted for enrollment, in a full-time accredited master’s degree program in public administration, public and international affairs, public policy and/or political science. McCourt is allowed to nominate up to 2 students to compete at the university-level. Applications are typically due at the end of April.

Other Financial Aid Resources

Loans: U.S. citizens who take out federal loans can learn about repayment options, including Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs, at studentaid.gov.
Experiential Learning Fund: The McCourt School strongly believes in the value of experiential learning and internships for students who wish to apply their skills and gain experience while making a difference in their field of interest. This fund seeks to provide financial assistance to any student who wishes to pursue substantive and meaningful experiences and unpaid internships in and outside of Georgetown with a non-profit/NGO or public service employer. The Fund typically provides a stipend payment of approximately $3,000.
Dean’s Scholarships: was established by the family of Colin McCollester (G’14), who died on December 12, 2019 as a way to remember his generous spirit of doing good by serving others. All part-time and full-time McCourt School students who will be returning in the following academic year (Fall, Spring) and have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.33 or higher are eligible to apply for the Dean’s Scholarships awards. Students are typically awarded scholarships in the range of $1,000 to $10,000. Scholarships are for one academic year and students who are returning for a 3rd or 4th academic year will need to apply again in the next year’s process. Scholarships are competitive and based on merit, the amount of funding previously received, and the level involvement in the McCourt community.
The Whittington Scholarship: is awarded each year to an outstanding McCourt student in honor of Leslie Whittington, a professor of Economics and Public Finance who was killed during the attacks on 9/11. The scholarship, created in remembrance of Leslie and her family, is typically around $15,000 for one academic year. Only full-time students who have a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA are eligible to apply.
The McCourt School Leadership Fellows Program: is a year-long program to develop the leadership potential of outstanding returning McCourt students. The selected Leadership Fellows will take part in intensive training workshops in coaching and team-building during the summer. In the fall, Fellows will apply their skills to help incoming McCourt students and develop their own potential through community-building and individual identity exploration exercises. Throughout the year they will continue their personal development and build coaching skills through cohort-activities and continued engagement as they plan and lead activities for the McCourt community. Students will be able to apply in March to serve as a Fellow for the following year.

Weighing the Investment: A Personal Decision

The decision to pursue a graduate degree involves carefully considering the financial implications alongside the potential benefits. One individual's experience highlights the complexities of this decision-making process. They were admitted to Georgetown's Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) program with a $28.5k tuition scholarship for each year. They planned to cover room and board using savings, allocate $20k of savings directly towards tuition, and finance the remaining tuition cost and fees (approximately $42k) through loans. Furthermore, they intended to work 20 hours per week during the program, earning an estimated $30k over two years to contribute towards loan repayment.

Their primary concern revolved around depleting their savings. However, the program's appeal was undeniable, citing the director's personal engagement, a small cohort size, a diverse international student body, and a fully-funded summer internship abroad. Moreover, they were impressed by the career trajectories of recent MIDP graduates.

They also received offers from the University of Michigan's Master of Public Policy (MPP) program with a full tuition and stipend scholarship, and the University of Maryland's Master of Public Policy (MPP) program with a 50% assistantship. While Michigan offered the most generous financial package, the location was a deterrent. Maryland, while more affordable than Georgetown, was perceived as a lower-ranked program with a less organized admissions process.

This individual had accumulated roughly $65k in savings and was willing to invest in quality education and networking opportunities. However, they also sought to avoid being swayed solely by prestige and brand name. A significant personal factor was their relationship, as their partner needed to remain in the DMV area. Their career aspirations lay in the development sector, with interests in impact evaluation, environmental policy, and development policy.

This scenario underscores the multifaceted nature of the decision-making process. It involves balancing financial considerations, program quality, career goals, and personal circumstances.

Student Loan Debt at Georgetown University

How much student loan debt you accumulate can affect your financial life long after college ends. Ideally, your total student loan debt should fall below your anticipated starting salary once you graduate.

At Georgetown University, the median federal loan debt among borrowers who completed their undergraduate degree is $15,500. The median monthly federal loan payment (if it were repaid over 10 years at 5.05% interest) for student federal loan borrowers who graduated is $164.

Additionally, 7% of graduating students at Georgetown University took out private loans. Students with private loans had an average of $85,796 in private loan debt at graduation.

Average Total Indebtedness of 2024 Graduating Class $30,904. Graduating students who have borrowed (any loan type, 2024) 34%.

Jobs and Work-Study Programs

Working while in school can help lessen the burden of your student loans. Schools offer work-study programs to those who qualify and campus jobs to students looking to earn money in their free time. Some institutions match students with work-study positions, while others require them apply to the positions, like they would for any other job. Begin your job search by checking whether your college has in-person or online job boards.

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