Tuition & Financial Aid
We recognize that future public affairs leaders require a clear path to advance their careers — not financial ambiguity. At Northeastern University, we are dedicated to your growth and future social impact. Our commitment is to provide a world-class graduate education that remains accessible, paired with full transparency regarding tuition costs and financial aid options available.
Tuition At A Glance
| Program | Credits | Cost per Credit | Est. Total Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Public Administration (MPA) | 40 | $1,056 | $42,240 |
| Master of Public Policy (MPP) | 40 | $1,013 | $40,520 |
| MS in Criminology & Criminal Justice | 32 | $1,083 | $34,656 ($36,822 with co-op) |
Note: Total tuition is an estimate based on current rates and does not include additional university fees. Courses taken at Northeastern University outside of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities are subject to a different tuition rate. All costs are subject to change each year.
Additional Expenses to Consider
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Residency Fees | Fall/Spring: $32/term Summer: $16/term |
| Books and Supplies | Varies by course |
| International Student Fee | $350/one time |
| Student Recreation Fee | Full-time: $60/term; Summer $35/term Part-time: $30/term |
| Student Activities Fee | $18/term $100/term (Oakland campus only) |
| Student Center Fee (Boston campus only) | Full-time: $70/term; Summer $35/term Part-time: $10/term; Summer $5/term |
| AC Transit Fee (Oakland campus only) | $71.50/term |
| Campus Comprehensive Fee (Oakland campus only) | $636.50/term |
Career Growth
Invest in Your Career Growth
Criminal justice and public affairs, administration, and policy professionals with a master’s degree or higher earned an average salary of $118,100 in 2025, according to labor analytics database Lightcast.
Federal Student Aid
Important Update: Graduate PLUS Loan Changes
Beginning July 1, 2026, Federal Graduate PLUS Loans will be discontinued. If you previously used the Grad PLUS loan or had planned to use a Grad PLUS loan for the 2026-27 academic year or beyond, we recommend connecting with our financial aid office early to ensure continuous funding for your program.
Graduate students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for all available federal funding. You may file the FAFSA beginning October 1. While the FAFSA may be submitted beyond the priority filing deadline, the federal processor must receive your FAFSA by that date so you can be considered for all funds you may be eligible to receive.
Northeastern University FAFSA School Code: 002199
For more information, visit the FAFSA website. You can also find more information on financial aid on our Student Financial Services website.
To support your educational journey, we offer a variety of scholarship and funding opportunities for students enrolled in CSSH master’s and certificate programs.
Select Scholarships and Discounts
- New Campus Scholarship: To celebrate our new learning locations, we are offering a 25% tuition scholarship to MPA or MPP students who study at Arlington or Oakland in Summer 2026.
- Full Circle Scholarship: The Full Circle Scholarship offers a 25% tuition discount to incoming Master of Public Administration students who embody Northeastern University’s values of experiential and global learning.
- Double Husky Scholarship: These programs provide a tuition discount of up to 25% to all Northeastern alumni seeking additional education.
Any number of scholarships can be combined, with a limit of 50% off total tuition. For questions regarding eligibility, get in touch with one of our enrollment specialists.
Northeastern University partners with a broad range of employers through the AllCampus Workplace Network to offer eligible students and their family members a 10% tuition discount for the public affairs programs. Get in touch with an enrollment specialist to confirm your eligibility.
Many employers also offer their own educational benefits and professional development funds that can be utilized for tuition assistance. To explore your options, we encourage you to speak with your employer about using workplace benefits to fund your degree.
Here’s how we recommend starting that conversation:
- Check your handbook or ask your HR department for established processes and guidelines around tuition assistance.
- Talk to other employees who have utilized your employer’s education benefits to get their perspective on the process and see if they have any tips on how to approach your request effectively.
- Build a case that your degree program is a smart investment for your position. Explain how the organization will benefit from your advanced skills, leadership experience and expanded network.
- Meet with your manager or supervisor with these talking points in mind.
Students can seek financial support from a wide range of public and private sources to help pay for some or all of their tuition and fees. You can look through scholarship search sites like Scholarships.com and Fastweb.com, as well as local community organizations and professional associations.
When additional funding is required, loans can be an appropriate choice for many students. We encourage you to research all of your available options and only borrow enough money to cover your costs. Before applying for a private loan, students should always exhaust all of their federal loan eligibility.
To help facilitate your private loan search, Northeastern has partnered with ELM Select. Using the ELM Select tool, you can compare private loans from multiple lenders. Based on your search criteria, ELM Select will display a neutral list (in random order) of private lenders that Northeastern students have borrowed from within the past three years. You are not required to use any of the lenders listed on ELM Select.
Northeastern will process loans from any eligible lender the student chooses. Northeastern may not deny or otherwise impede the borrower’s choice of a lender or cause unnecessary delay in loan certification for those borrowers who choose a lender not listed on ELM Select. Northeastern does not prefer, recommend, promote, endorse, or suggest any of these lenders.
Northeastern is dedicated to helping veterans, servicemembers, and their families meet the cost of continuing or completing their education. Military-affiliated students are highly encouraged to explore additional funding opportunities.
Northeastern participates in all U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Education programs (Chapters 1606, 35, 30, 31, and 33). These programs can be used to help fund most degree and certificate programs at our VA-approved campuses, which include Boston, Arlington, and Oakland, as well as several other U.S. campuses.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Get Started Now
Fill out the form to learn more and download a brochure about Northeastern University’s Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Policy, Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice, or Graduate Certificates.
You can also email publicaffairs@northeastern.edu or call us at +1 857.754.3734 to talk with one of our enrollment specialists.
Payment Options
Northeastern University offers monthly payment plans that allow you to divide your educational costs into smaller, more manageable, installments. Plans are administered through Flywire.
Using this plan can reduce your need to borrow, thereby, reducing the overall cost of education and can be combined with your financial aid award or other financing options. Because the payment plan is not a loan, you do not have to pay interest, only an enrollment fee of $45 per term.
Additional information regarding payment plan options can be found in the Payment Plan FAQ’s.
For platform and payment plan questions, students and authorized users can contact Flywire by submitting a contact form, or calling 857.287.3823 (domestic students) 857.287.3818 (students from abroad).
Resources
We are committed to working with you to identify financial aid options that can help you make a Northeastern education affordable.
Contact us with any questions or concerns by using the Student Financial Services Inquiry Form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Graduate students may be eligible for a range of financial aid options, including federal student loans, employment programs, and scholarships. To be considered for federal financial aid, students should complete the FAFSA using the Northeastern school code (002199).
Yes. Students may qualify for grants or scholarships that do not need to be repaid.
Eligible students may use military education benefits such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill® and Yellow Ribbon Program to help offset tuition expenses.
Additionally, many employers offer tuition assistance or reimbursement programs that can be applied toward graduate study. Students whose employers are part of the AllCampus Workplace Network may also qualify for a 10% tuition discount.
Yes. Northeastern University offers a payment plan that allows eligible students to divide tuition and fees into installments throughout the semester. A small non-refundable enrollment fee applies.
Students should review their financial aid package before enrolling to determine whether a payment plan is the best option for their situation.
Ready to See If Our Program Is the Right Fit?
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