Tuition and Financial Support for the Master of Policy Analysis Program
As part of our commitment to making the RAND School's programs accessible and affordable for all our students, we offer
- generous scholarships up to $20,000 (or $1,600 per unit) for both full- and part-time students
- a program designed to be completed in one academic year—as little as nine 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.
Tuition and Scholarships
Tuition for a full‑time student completing 12.5 units in three quarters is $50,000. Part-time students are charged tuition by the number of units they take each quarter. The per unit tuition cost is $4,000.
We offer generous scholarships of up to $20,000 (or up to $1,600 per unit) for both full- and part-time students.
The RAND School 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
| Expense | Cost (LA) | Cost (DC) |
|---|---|---|
| Living Expenses (Food and Housing) | $24,006 | $23,423 |
| Required Books, Course Materials, Supplies, Equipment | $500 | $500 |
| Transportation | $2,264 | $2,705 |
| Loan Fees | $214 | $214 |
| Miscellaneous Personal Expenses (clothing, personal items, mobile phone, recreation/entertainment) | $2,019 | $2,129 |
| Total | $29,003 | $28,971 |
Health insurance coverage is required. Incoming students must provide an attestation of insurance before arrival on campus.
Estimating the Cost of Attendance
To estimate the total cost of attendance, admitted students should add their cost-of-living expenses and tuition, then subtract their scholarship and any other financial aid they receive.
Funding Your Education
Planning for the financial aspects of your graduate education is an important step, and we encourage you to take time to explore the resources available to you. These may include scholarships, federal financial aid, veteran education benefits, alternative student loans, and other funding options that can help cover the cost of attendance.
The RAND School is authorized to administer federal graduate student loan programs and veteran benefits, and we are committed to helping students understand and navigate the financial components of their education.
Learn more about funding your educationEstimated 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.