Tuition and Financial Aid

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 2025-26 academic year, you can use the current rate and knowledge that it typically increases by 3 to 5% to help with your planning. The 2024-25 graduate tuition rate is $1,945 per credit.

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.