Tuition and Financial Support for MNSP Students
As part of our commitment to making Pardee RAND's programs accessible and affordable for all our students, we offer:
- Generous scholarships up to $35,000
- A program designed to be completed in one academic year—as little as 9 months
We believe that financial barriers should not prevent talented individuals from pursuing a policy career. That's why we are proud to offer these resources to our students.
MNSP Tuition and Scholarships
| Full-time Tuition | Scholarship |
|---|---|
| $50,000 | Up to $35,000 |
Scholarships are also available for part-time students. The full tuition rate is $4,167 per unit/course.
Pardee RAND does not charge any student services fees.
Health Insurance and Other Benefits
We offer student health insurance to all enrolled students at no additional cost.
Estimated Cost of Living
We estimate the cost of living for a single student in the Los Angeles area to be $30,300 for the 2024-2025 academic year (mid-September through mid-June); in the Washington area, our estimate is $29,952. The cost of living includes the following expenses:
| Expense | Cost (LA) | Cost (DC) |
|---|---|---|
| Housing, Internet, and Utilities | $16,650 | $16,330 |
| Food | $6,750 | $6,183 |
| Required Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment | $2,500 | $2,500 |
| Transportation | $2,220 | $2,652 |
| Loan Fees | $200 | $200 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses (clothing, personal items, mobile phone, recreation/entertainment) | $1,980 | $2,087 |
| Total | $30,300 | $29,952 |
Please note that these are estimates and admitted students' actual costs will vary depending on their individual circumstances. We estimate the annual cost of living in Los Angeles to be an additional $14,253 for a spouse/partner, and $7,127 for each dependent. The Washington area equivalent would be $14,890 and $7,445.
Health insurance coverage is required. Incoming students must provide proof of insurance before arrival on campus.
Estimating the Cost of Attendance
To estimate their total cost of attendance for the academic year (mid-September through mid-June), admitted students should add their cost of living expenses and tuition, then subtract any scholarships they may receive.
For example, the total cost of attendance for a student who receives a $25,000 scholarship would be $55,300 in the Los Angeles area or $54,952 in the Washington area.
| Example Scenario | Cost (LA) | Cost (DC) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $50,000 | $50,000 |
| Cost of Living | $30,300 | $29,952 |
| Scholarship | –$25,000 | –$25,000 |
| Total | $55,300 | $54,952 |
International students will need to show proof of funds to cover a 9-month period.
We encourage students to carefully consider their financial situation and explore all available resources, including scholarships, fellowships, and financial aid loans, to help cover the cost of attendance.
Other Financial Aid
Pardee RAND is authorized to facilitate other grant and external funding sources.
Alternative Student Loans
Alternative loans are a type of non-Federal loan that is provided by private lenders. These loans are designed to provide specialized student loans with reasonable terms for U.S. citizens, nationals, permanent residents, and international students who have a credit-worthy, U.S. citizen cosigner.
Private or alternative loans are not federally guaranteed and should only be considered after eligibility for all other types of aid has been exhausted. While alternative loans can be a good option for some students, it's important to carefully consider the terms and conditions of the loan before applying. The repayment terms of federal loan programs may be more favorable than the terms of private loans. Alternative student loans may not be included in Federal Direct Consolidation Loans and are not eligible for Federal Income-Based Repayment Plan or for Federal Economic Hardship deferments.
External Funding Opportunities
External funding is any funding that does not come from the school or federal or state government. There are many external funding opportunities available to graduate students. These opportunities include grants, fellowships, and scholarships from a variety of sources, including government agencies, private foundations, and corporations.
The following websites may be useful to students in their search for funding opportunities that match their interests and qualifications:
- Grants.gov: A database of grants offered by federal agencies
- Foundation Center: A database of grants offered by private foundations
- Fastweb: A scholarship search engine that matches students with scholarships based on their profile
- ProFellow: A database of fellowships and other professional development opportunities
- Science.org: Links to funding opportunities in biomedical research and science education (formerly GrantsNet)
- National Science Foundation: A federal agency that offers funding opportunities for research and education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields
- National Institutes of Health: A federal agency that offers funding opportunities for biomedical and behavioral research
- American Association of University Women: A nonprofit organization that offers fellowships and grants to support women in graduate and postgraduate studies
- The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans: A fellowship program that supports immigrants and children of immigrants pursuing graduate studies in the United States
- The Ford Foundation Fellowship Programs: A fellowship program that supports graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are committed to diversity and social justice
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar Program: A scholarship program that supports Hispanic students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in a wide range of fields. The program provides funding for tuition, books, and living expenses
International students may find these websites useful in their search for funding opportunities to attend graduate school in the United States:
- Institute of International Education (IIE): A nonprofit organization that offers a range of programs and services to support international education and cultural exchange. IIE's website provides information on scholarships, fellowships, and other funding opportunities for international students studying in the United States.
- EducationUSA: A U.S. Department of State network of over 400 international student advising centers in more than 170 countries. EducationUSA provides information and resources to help international students navigate the U.S. higher education system, including information on scholarships and financial aid.
- International Education Financial Aid (IEFA): A database of scholarships, grants, and fellowships for international students studying in the United States.
- EduPass: A website that provides information on financial aid and scholarships for international students studying in the United States
- International Scholarships: A website that provides information on scholarships and grants for international students studying in the United States and other countries
- Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program: A scholarship program that supports students from developing countries who are pursuing postgraduate studies in the United States and other countries
We encourage students to explore these resources and other external funding opportunities to help cover the cost of attendance.
Estimated Cost of Living
We understand that the cost of living can be a significant factor in a student's decision to pursue a graduate degree.
We estimate the annual cost of living in Los Angeles for a single student to be $27,885 in 2023-2024. This includes the following expenses:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Housing and Utilities | $16,560 |
| Food | $9,125 |
| Personal Expenses and Transportation | $1,700 |
| Books and Supplies | $500 |
| Total | $27,885 |
We estimate the annual cost of living in the D.C. area for a single student to be $34,460 in 2023-2024. This includes the following expenses:
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Housing and Utilities | $16,015 |
| Food | $9,125 |
| Personal Expenses and Transportation | $8,820 |
| Books and Supplies | $500 |
| Total | $34,460 |
Please note that these are estimates and admitted students' actual costs will vary depending on their individual circumstances. We estimate the cost of living for a spouse/partner to be an additional $14,000, and each child would be $7,000.