We know that attending graduate school is a significant investment in your future, and that financing your education plays a major role in your decision. You’re not alone in navigating this step. There are many financial aid and funding opportunities at the UW to support your journey. We encourage you to explore scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study options to help make paying for graduate school as affordable as possible.
Tuition and Other Costs
The Washington State Legislature sets tuition and fee rates, which are then approved by the University of Washington Board of Regents. Tuition-based programs, including the MPA full-time tract, are maintained by the Office of Planning & Budgeting and are determined by your grade classification, residency status, graduate tier, and the total number of credit hours for which you register. Fee-based programs, including the MPA part-time tract, graduate certificates, and the EMPA, are maintained by the Continuum College, and are charged per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees are subject to annual increases.
Costs By Program
Tuition and Fees
All rates are for full-time enrollment (7–18 credits) for three quarters (autumn, winter, and spring). See the UW’s requirements for establishing in-state residency.
Washington Resident Annual Tuition 2025-26: $27,299
Autumn Quarter: $9,099
Winter Quarter: $9,100
Spring Quarter: $9,100
Fees: $1,990
Fees include the quarterly UW nonrefundable registration fee, technology fee, services activities fee, U-PASS transit program fee, and Evans School course fee. All fees are subject to change.
Autumn Quarter: $664
Winter Quarter: $663
Spring Quarter: $633
Total: $29,289
Non-Resident and International Annual Tuition 2025-26: $46,543
Autumn Quarter: $15,514
Winter Quarter: $15,514
Spring Quarter: $15,515
Fees: $2,834
Fees include the quarterly UW nonrefundable registration fee, technology fee, services activities fee, U-PASS transit program fee, and Evans School course fee. All fees are subject to change.
Autumn Quarter: $945
Winter Quarter: $945
Spring Quarter: $944
Total: $49,377
Additional Costs
Books and supplies for all courses required to earn MPA: $2,550
- Nine core courses (first year): $1,350
- Electives (second year): $1,200
Rent, utilities, and food: $22,674 (for nine-month academic year)
Personal/miscellaneous expenses: $2,508 (for nine-month academic year)
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees are paid quarterly. Tuition is the same for all students regardless of residency status.
Annual Tuition 2025-26: $22,248
$927 per quarter credit for 1–8 credits ($7,416 per 8-credit quarter or $22,248 annually for 24 credits). There is an additional per-credit fee of $1,330 if you take more than eight credits per quarter.
Autumn Quarter: $7,416
Winter Quarter: $7,416
Spring Quarter: $7,416
Annual Fees: $1,350
Fees include the quarterly UW nonrefundable registration fee, technology fee, services activities fee, U-PASS transit program fee, and Evans School course fee. All fees are subject to change.
Autumn Quarter: $450
Winter Quarter: $450
Spring Quarter: $450
Total Tuition and Fees 2025-26: $26,598
Additional Costs
Books and supplies for all courses required to earn MPA: $2,550
- Nine core courses : $1,350
- Electives: $1,200
Rent, utilities, and food: $22,674 (for nine-month academic year)
Personal/miscellaneous expenses: $2,508 (for nine-month academic year)
Tuition and Fees
Costs are for the entire program; tuition is paid quarterly. Fees include the quarterly UW nonrefundable registration fee, technology fee, services activities fee, U-PASS transit program fee, and Evans School course fee. The tuition is the same for non-Washington residents.
Tuition 2025-26: $54,360
Fees: $2,532
Total: $56,892*
All fees are subject to change.
Additional Costs
- Textbooks: $200
- Quarterly travel to Seattle if not based locally
- Living and personal expenses
Building Resilient Local Governments
This is a fee-based program, with a total cost of $9,223. Evans School Graduate Certificate participants who are current WCMA members will receive an Evans School fellowship covering 1/3 of the tuition.
Leading Public Innovation
This is a fee-based program, with a total cost of $5,138. Evans School Graduate Certificate participants whose employers pay at least 1/3 of the total program tuition receive an Evans School scholarship covering an additional 1/3 of the tuition.
We offer all students admitted into our doctoral program five years of full funding through a mix of research and teaching assistantships at the Evans School. Full funding consists of a tuition waiver, a monthly stipend of approximately $2,300-2,600, and health insurance. Research and teaching assistantships have a 20 hour a week work obligation.
Health Insurance
Health insurance costs vary by individual and are not included in tuition and fees.
- International students are required to purchase the International Student Health Insurance Plan through the Student Insurance Office.
- All other students may purchase health insurance through Washington Healthplanfinder or another qualifying plan.
Funding Your Evans Program
We understand that financing graduate school is an important part of your decision, and we’re here to help you explore your options.
The first step to funding your program is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filing the FAFSA allows you to invest in your future through needs-based loans and private loans. We encourage applicants to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible and list the University of Washington (School Code: 003798) on the form.
Financial aid eligibility requirements and funding amounts vary year to year. Financial aid awards generally require full-time enrollment (10 or more credits per quarter). Students enrolled in the part-time MPA track and EMPA program are eligible for financial aid when enrolled part-time (at 5 or more credits per quarter).
The Evans School does not participate in the State Employee Tuition Exemption Program for Washington State employees, with the exception of those approved for enrollment as graduate non-matriculated students. Students enrolled in Evans School degree programs are not eligible for Tuition Exemption.
Federal Loan Update
The University of Washington has shared important updates to federal student loan programs beginning in the 2026–27 academic year (effective July 1, 2026). Recent federal legislation will affect how graduate students finance their education, including loan availability and borrowing limits. We encourage all applicants considering federal loans for 2026–27 or later to review the complete details provided by the UW Office of Student Financial Aid’s Federal Loan Updates for 2026–27 as part of their financial planning process.
We’ve also compiled a list of external scholarships, grants, and fellowships from outside of the UW.
UW Funding Resources
The UW Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) provides detailed guidance on applying for and receiving financial aid, including federal loans, grants and Work Study. OSFA also administers applications for several UW graduate student fellowships.
Applicants who submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 15 can expect to receive their financial aid information from OSFA by early April.
We also recommend utilizing the UW’s Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS), run by UW Libraries, to identify internal and external scholarships, fellowships, and funding opporunties.
Affordability and access to our graduate programs is a top priority for the Evans School. We have a long-standing tradition of awarding merit-based fellowships to a selected number of applicants. Your Evans School application serves as your application for fellowship funding. Fellowships are awarded annually, at time of admission, to selected students in each year’s incoming MPA and EMPA class. Consideration is primarily based on academic achievement and/or excellence in public service.
At the UW, there are three primary types of graduate student assistantships, also called Academic Student Employees (ASEs):
- Teaching Assistant (TA): work with students in a classroom, lab, or quiz section setting
- Research Assistant (RA): work on research projects; does not involve teaching
- Graduate Staff Assistant (GSA): other types of duties such as advising or administration
At the UW, Academic Student Employees (ASEs) are hired directly by individual departments, and each department conducts its own hiring process. Job postings outline the requirements, responsibilities, and application instructions.
Hiring Timeline & Eligibility
- Some ASEs positions are posted in the summer and may be open to both current students and admitted students for the upcoming academic year.
- Positions posted during the academic year are typically available to current UW students.
Some, but not all, 20-hour-per-week assistantships provide a tuition waiver and health insurance through the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP). Your offer letter from the hiring department will confirm the employment duration, salary, and benefits eligibility.
Find ASE positions open to all graduate students:
- Handshake (available to current and admitted UW students only)
- UWHires (filter for the category “Academic Student Employee”)
- On the Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS) blog
Additional Resources
We encourage all international applicants to review the UW’s online graduate funding guide and resources for international graduate students.
The Evans School’s Service to Service program initiative connects veterans and their families with educational pathways to propel them into stable and impactful careers in public leadership. We are committed to making an Evans education accessible to those who have served. Our Student Affairs team can help you navigate funding options and connect you with the support you need to start your next chapter of service.
The Post 9/11 GI Bill and other VA benefits help eligible veterans pay for graduate school. The VA certifying officials at the UW Veterans Education Benefits Office can help you navigate the different options for funding. They can guide you through the complex process of receiving your benefits – from answering questions about the various education benefits, the application and certification process, and advocating on your behalf with the VA.
The Evans School is proud to participate in the Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program. The Coverdell Fellows Program is exclusively for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs). All Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV’s) who identify themselves as such in their MPA application will be considered for Coverdell Fellowships, along with other Evans School fellowships. Fellowship recipients will be notified of their award at the time of admission. Coverdell fellowships are competitive, and not all RPCV’s will receive fellowships.
The Evans School recognizes that many students balance graduate study with caregiving responsibilities. We are committed to fostering a welcoming, supportive environment for student parents and caregivers, and we work closely with the University of Washington to connect students to resources that meet their academic and personal needs.
Parents and caregivers at Evans access a variety of resources available across the University of Washington, including:
- Childcare assistance and family support programs
- Family-friendly study and lactation spaces on campus
- Student parent and caregiver community groups
- Health insurance and family leave information
- Housing options and referrals to campus and community resources
Learn more about UW’s Student Parents & Caregivers Resources.
The Evans School proudly welcomes first-generation college students, those whose parents or guardians did not earn a four-year college degree. We recognize the determination and perspective that first-generation students bring to public service and work closely with the University of Washington to connect them with resources, guidance, and community support to ensure their academic and personal success.
First-generation students at Evans can access resources across UW, including:
- First-generation student programs and community networks
- Academic advising and mentorship
- Financial planning and aid resources
- Peer and campus support services
Learn more about UW’s First-Generation Resources.
The Evans School warmly welcomes undocumented students and students from mixed-status families. We are committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where all students feel respected, valued, and empowered to pursue their academic and career goals.
We recognize that navigating graduate school and financial planning can raise additional questions. The Evans School works closely with the University of Washington to connect students with trusted resources, guidance, and community support while respecting individual circumstances and privacy.
Undocumented students at Evans are encouraged to contact UW Leadership Without Borders (LWB), the University’s primary resource for supporting undocumented students. LWB offers:
- Advising and referrals to campus and community resources
- Guidance on funding options, scholarships, and legal resources
- Confidential support and advocacy
- Opportunities to connect with other undocumented and mixed-status students
Learn more about UW Leadership Without Borders.
Contact Us
If you have questions about tuition or funding opportunities, our programs, or the application process, contact us at evansadm@uw.edu.