Tuition
For Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021, tuition is $2,266 per point (credit). Tuition is calculated based on the total number of points registered for in a given semester. Full-time students are registered for 12 or more points in a given semester.
Tuition and fees are subject to Board of Trustee approval and may change. For an outline of the most up-to-date tuition and fees for Summer 2020, please visit https://summer.sps.columbia.edu/students/adults-professionals/tuition-fees.
Fees
This listing is intended to summarize possible charges that could be incurred against a student’s account. Certain charges depend upon specific circumstances, as noted. Fees that are not billed to the student account, such as course fees or placement test fees, may be required but are not listed here.
Student Activities Fee
M.S. Students
$270.00 per term (Fall 2020 only)
$300.00 per term
Certificate Students
$50.00 per term
University Services and Support Fee*
M.S. Students (Full-time)
Fall & Spring
$261.00 per term (Fall 2020 only)
$531.00 per term (Spring 2021 only)
$575.00 per term
Summer
$479.00 flat rate (Summer 2019)
$275.00 (Summer 2020 only)
M.S. Students (Part-time)
Fall & Spring
$132.00 per term (Fall 2020 only)
$402.00 per term (Spring 2021 only)
$446.00 per term
Summer
$240.00 flat rate (Summer 2019)
For the Summer 2020 term only, the fee is waived for part-time students.
Certificate Students
Full-time students (Fall & Spring)
$261.00 per term (Fall 2020 only)
$531.00 per term
Part-time students (Fall & Spring)
$132.00 per term (Fall 2020 only)
$402.00 per term
Transcript Fee
$105.00 one-time fee for all new students
Late Registration Fees
$50.00 during late registration period
$100.00 after late registration period
International Services Charge
Required of all international students. $110.00 per term
Withdrawal Fee
Required of any student who drops all courses for which he or she has registered. $75.00 per term
Health Service Fee**
$610.00 per term (Fall & Spring)
$300.00 (Summer 2020, applies to new summer students only, not spring continuing students)
Technology Fee
$35.00 per term
Expanded CUIT Account Fee (optional)
Entitles students to extended CUIT computer lab privileges. $35.00 per term
Student Medical Insurance
All full-time students must provide proof of insurance or enroll in one of the University plans. This fee is optional for part-time students. See www.health.columbia.edu for details and rates.
Tuition and fees are subject to the Columbia University Board of Trustees approval and may change.
* University Services and Support Fee – Students are required to pay a University Facilities Fee depending on their registration. Full-time students are those registered for 12 or more points over a 16-week term. This fee is subject to Board of Trustee approval and may change.
** Health Service Fee – Required of all full-time students; optional for part-time students. Includes clinical services provided on campus as well as integrated off-campus services. See for details.
Deposit Requirement
In order to secure a place in the program, admitted students must pay a nonrefundable deposit of $2,000 to the university by the deadline stated in the acceptance letter. The deposit is credited toward the student’s tuition upon matriculation and is nonrefundable. Under no circumstances can the acceptance deposit be waived. Students who fail to remit their deposit by the deadline forfeit their place in the entering class. Students who make deposits but do not enroll on the agreed date lose their deposits.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Financial Resources available to students include the following:
Columbia University Student Financial Services
EARTH INSTITUTE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Earth Institute Sustainability Management Fellows Program
The Earth Institute and the M.S. in Sustainability Management program are offering more than $72,000 in fellowship funding in academic year 2020 - 2021. The average fellowship award is expected to be $6,000 per recipient. The Admissions and Fellowship Committee award fellowships based on applicants’ demonstrated financial need and academic and professional merit. Fellowship applications are available to admitted students as of May 15, 2020. Fellowship applications are due on July 1, 2020. Fellowship recipients will be announced on August 1, 2020.
Course Grading Assistantships
Each semester, the program offers more than 30 course grading assistantships to highly achieving students on a competitive basis. Students who are awarded these positions assist instructors with the grading of assignments and other administrative duties associated with courses in the program. Assistantships pay students $6,000 on average per semester.
Earth Institute Internships
The Earth Institute offers more than 20 internships to students every academic year. These positions are available throughout the Earth Institute’s research centers, administrative units, and academic programs. Interns are paid an hourly rate of $15, and they may work up to 20 hours per week in the fall and spring semesters, and up to 35 hours per week in the summer. Hiring for internships takes place on a competitive basis.