TUITION & FEES
Investing in your future
We want students to have a clear understanding of the costs associated with an SP2 education, and are committed to providing a transparent breakdown of tuition, fees, and other expenses. We also offer a range of financial aid resources, including scholarships, loans, work study programs, and fellowships. Learn more here.
WHAT FINANCIAL AID OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
We are committed to making an SP2 education accessible and affordable through financial aid, scholarships, loans, work study programs, fellowships, and other resources.
Interested in OpenSP2?
OpenSP2 offers professional and continuing education opportunities outside of our degree programs. Each OpenSP2 program is uniquely priced; please review each course for cost information.
Cost of Education Details
The cost of attendance* is provided for each of SP2’s five degree programs.
Tuition amounts are set by SP2, while each cost of living budget is set by the University’s Student Financial Services (SFS). Tuition, fees, and the cost of living budget make up the total cost of attendance.
Additional information about types of fees is available below.
*Access to a personal computer is required for all programs at the School of Social Policy & Practice.
General Fee
A General Fee is assessed to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, and directly funds Penn’s non-instructional student support services. The General Fee for full-time students provides them with full access to a wide variety of services and resources, including counseling and wellness, multicultural resource centers, student activities, recreation and fitness, career services, learning support, and much more.
Part-time students taking 3 or more course units will not be charged by course unit but will be charged the full-time fee of $1,977 for that term.
Technology Fee
The Technology Fee is used to cover a broad group of technology-driven services, including library electronic research tools, course portal, photocopied materials, and ITS support.
Online Services Fee
The Online Services Fee constitutes a partial contribution to the support of such essential services as a library system and student services.
Clinical Fee
The Clinical Fee covers many services provided by Student Health, regardless of the student’s insurance plan. It is assessed to all full-time students and part-time students taking 3 or more course units.
Living Expenses
The total cost of attendance provides the cost for attending the School of Social Policy & Practice. Many students will be able to live beneath these figures, as Philadelphia is one of the most affordable cities in the country. Students who budget conservatively can reduce the overall cost of the program.
Tuition Costs
Master of Social Work | Full-Time
This is the tuition cost of full-time enrollment in the MSW program for the 1st academic year (fall and spring), assuming registration in 8 course units (4 course units per term). Tuition and fee adjustments will be made for registration in more or fewer than 4 course units in a semester. Tuition and expenses are adjusted annually.
| Academic Year 2025-2026 | |
| Tuition | $58,000 |
| General Fee | $4,108 |
| Technology Fee | $720 |
| Clinical Fee | $742 |
| ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL | $63,570 |
Master of Social Work | Advanced Standing
This is the tuition cost of full-time enrollment in the MSW Advanced Standing program for the academic year (summer, fall and spring) and assumes registration in a total of 10 course units (2 cu’s summer + 4 cu’s fall + 4 cu’s spring). Students who register for additional courses will be assessed additional tuition and fees. Tuition and expenses are adjusted annually.
| Academic Year 2025-2026 | |
| Tuition | $72,500 |
| General Fee | $4,618 |
| Technology Fee | $720 |
| Clinical Fee | $742 |
| ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL | $78,580 |
Master of Social Work | Part-Time
This is the tuition cost of per-cu enrollment in the MSW program summer 2025 through spring 2026. Please note that in the summer terms, no technology fee is assessed and only one general fee is assessed per summer session. Tuition and expenses are adjusted annually. Part-time students are charged tuition and fees per course unit based on enrollment in any given term. Adjustments will be made for registration in more or fewer than 3 course units in the fall or spring semesters. Part-time students are strongly encouraged to contact the SP2 Registrar directly for assistance with tuition/fees, part- versus full-time status, and course registration.
| Academic Year 2024-2025 | Charged Per Course Unit |
| Tuition | $7,250 |
| General Fee | $510 |
| Technology Fee | $120 |
| Clinical Fee | *n/a for 1 or 2 CU's |
| TOTAL FOR 1 COURSE UNIT | $7,880 |
MS in Social Policy | Full-Time
This is the total tuition cost of full-time enrollment in the MSSP program for the academic year (fall and spring) and assumes registration in 10 course units (5 course units per term). Adjustments will be made for registration in more or fewer than 5 course units in the fall or spring semesters. Tuition and expenses are adjusted annually.
| Academic Year 2024-2025 | |
| Tuition | $72,500 |
| General Fee | $4,108 |
| Technology Fee | $720 |
| Clinical Fee | $742 |
| ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL | $78,070 |
MS in Social Policy | Part-Time
This is the tuition cost per course unit of enrollment in the MSSP program. Tuition and expenses are adjusted annually. Part-time students are charged tuition and fees per course unit based on enrollment in any given term. Adjustments will be made for registration in more or fewer than 3 course units in the fall or spring semesters. Part-time students are strongly encouraged to contact the SP2 Registrar directly for assistance with tuition/fees, part- versus full-time status, and course registration.
| Academic Year 2025-2026 | Charged Per Course Unit |
| Tuition | $7,250 |
| General Fee | $510 |
| Technology Fee | $120 |
| Clinical Fee | *n/a for 1 or 2 CU's |
| TOTAL FOR 1 COURSE UNIT | $7,880 |
MS in Social Policy | MSSP + DA
This is the tuition cost of enrollment in the MSSP+DA program for the 1st academic year (fall and spring) and assumes registration in 8 course units over the course of the academic year (4 course units per term). Adjustments will be made for registration in more or fewer than 4 credit units in the fall or spring semesters. Tuition and expenses are adjusted annually.
| Academic Year 2025-2026 | |
| Tuition | $58,000 |
| General Fee | $4,108 |
| Technology Fee | $720 |
| Clinical Fee | $742 |
| ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL | $63,570 |
MS in Nonprofit Leadership | Full-Time On-Campus
This is the total tuition cost of full-time enrollment in the NPL program for the academic year (fall and spring) and assumes registration in 10 course units (5 course units per term). Adjustments will be made for registration in more or fewer than 5 course units in the fall or spring semesters. Tuition and expenses are adjusted annually.
| Academic Year 2024-2025 | |
| Tuition | $72,500 |
| General Fee | $4,108 |
| Technology Fee | $720 |
| Clinical Fee | $742 |
| ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL | $78,070 |
MS in Nonprofit Leadership | Part-Time or Accelerated On-Campus
This is the tuition cost per course unit of enrollment in the NPL on-campus program. Tuition and expenses are adjusted annually. Part-time On-Campus students are charged tuition and fees per course unit based on enrollment in any given term. Accelerated On-Campus NPL students are also charged tuition and fees per course unit based on enrollment in any given term. Adjustments will be made for registration in more or fewer than 3 course units in the fall or spring semesters. Part-time students are strongly encouraged to contact the SP2 Registrar directly for assistance with tuition/fees, part- versus full-time status, and course registration.
| Academic Year 2025-2026 | Charged Per Course Unit |
| Tuition | $7,250 |
| General Fee | $510 |
| Technology Fee | $120 |
| Clinical Fee | *n/a for 1 or 2 CU's |
| TOTAL FOR 1 COURSE UNIT | $7,880 |
MS in Nonprofit Leadership | Full-Time Online
This is the total tuition cost of full-time enrollment in the NPL program for the academic year (fall and spring) and assumes registration in 10 course units (5 course units per term). Adjustments will be made for registration in more or fewer than 5 course units in the fall or spring semesters.
| Academic Year 2025-2026 | |
| Tuition | $72,500 |
| Online Services Fee | $1,620 |
| Technology Fee | $720 |
| Clinical Fee | N/A |
| ACADEMIC YEAR TOTAL | $74,840 |
MS in Nonprofit Leadership | Part-Time or Accelerated Online
This is the tuition cost per course unit of enrollment in the NPL online program. Tuition and expenses are adjusted annually. Part-time Online students are charged tuition and fees per course unit based on enrollment in any given term. The Accelerated Online NPL students are also charged tuition and fees per course unit based on enrollment in any given term. Adjustments will be made for registration in more or fewer than 3 course units in the fall or spring semesters. Students are strongly encouraged to contact the SP2 Registrar directly for assistance with tuition/fees, part- versus full-time status, and course registration.
| Academic Year 2025-2026 | Charged Per Course Unit |
| Tuition | $7,250 |
| Online Services Fee | $162 |
| Technology Fee | $120 |
| Clinical Fee | N/A |
| TOTAL FOR 1 COURSE UNIT | $7,532 |
PhD in Social Welfare
Financial Support
The PhD program is designed to be completed in four years. Each student is supported financially by the School of Social Policy & Practice in the form of tuition, fees, individual health insurance, and a generous ten-month research and teaching stipend for the four years. View more information about the funding provided to students here.
Tuition & Fees
Full-time tuition, general and clinical fees* are charged the first three years of study. After three years of full-time study, students are placed on dissertation status with reduced tuition and fee amount. In addition, individual health insurance is available through the University. All students must be covered by the University’s health insurance or provide proof of alternate health coverage.
In rare situations, students are responsible for paying tuition, general and clinical fees, and health insurance. Please see below.
*The general and clinical fees are a contribution toward the support of the Student Health Service, Placement Service, graduate student activities, recreational facilities, and other services not directly associated with specific courses.
| Academic Year 2025-2026 | ||
| Full Time (years 1-3) | Reduced (Dissertation Status) | |
| Tuition | $44,792 | $5,600 |
| General Fee | $4,108 | $1,024 |
| Clinical Fee | $742 | $742 |
| TOTAL | $49,642 | $7,366 |
Doctorate in Clinical Social Work
Tuition & Fees for Academic Year Fall 2025 – Spring 2026
Tuition: $7,291 per course unit
Online services fee: $156 per course unit
DSW students in the third year and beyond register for SWRK 9900 for dissertation supervision. Tuition is $1,198 per term (fall/spring) for the 2025-2026 academic year.
| Estimated Costs for New Students Entering | |||
| Academic Year 2024-2025 Year 1 Coursework | Academic Year 2025-2026 (estimated) Year 2 Coursework | Academic Year 2026-2027 (estimated) Year 3 Dissertation |
|
| Tuition | $44,450 | $46,673 | $2,640 |
| Online Services Fee | $972 | $1,022 | N/A |
| Total | $46,422 | $47,695 | $2,640 |
Dual Degree | MSW/MSSP
Dual degree students must plan their programs of study with their academic advisors. Individualized plans often differ by student, which may impact billing. For more detailed information on dual degree billing, please contact the SP2 Registrar.
The tuition and fees indicated above are estimates, based on 2025-2026 tuition and fee rates. Students can anticipate that tuition will increase each year, beginning in the summer term, which will result in a slightly higher rate each subsequent year.
Estimated cost of dual MSW/MSSP program (based on the 2025-2026 Academic Year tuition rates):
| Year | Term | Course Units | Estimated Cost |
| One | Fall | 4 | $31,785 |
| Spring | 4 | $31,785 | |
| Summer | 3 | $22,260 | |
| Two | Fall | 5 | $39,035 |
| Spring | 5 | $39,035 | |
| Summer | 1 | $7,760 | |
| TOTAL | 22 | $171,660 | |
Dual Degree | MSW/NPL Option 1
Estimated cost of dual MSW/NPL program (based on the 2025-2026 AY tuition rates):
| Year | Term | Course Units | Estimated Cost |
| One | Fall | 5 | $39,035 |
| Spring | 5 | $39,035 | |
| Summer | 2 | $15,010 | |
| Two | Fall | 5 | $39,035 |
| Spring | 5 | $39,035 | |
| TOTAL | 22 | $171,150 | |
Dual Degree | MSW/NPL Option 2
Dual degree students must plan their programs of study with their academic advisors. Individualized plans often differ by student, which may impact billing. For more detailed information on dual degree billing, please contact the SP2 Registrar.
The tuition and fees indicated above are estimates, based on 2025-2026 tuition and fee rates. Students can anticipate that tuition will increase each year, beginning in the summer term, which will result in a slightly higher rate each subsequent year.
| Year | Term | Course Units | Estimated Cost |
| One | Fall | 4 | $31,785 |
| Spring | 4 | $31,785 | |
| Summer | 1 | $7,760 | |
| Two | Fall | 4 | $31,785 |
| Spring | 4 | $31,785 | |
| Summer | 1 | $7,760 | |
| Three | Fall | 4 | $31,785 |
| TOTAL | 22 | $174,445 | |
Dual Degree | Other
Dual degree students must plan their programs of study with their academic advisors. Individualized plans often differ by student and billing for dual degree programs occurs in conjunction with other schools within the University of Pennsylvania.
Submatriculate students will pay regular graduate tuition and fees for their graduate courses and undergraduate tuition and fees for their undergraduate courses.
For questions specific to your situation, please contact the SP2 Registrar.
Tuition costs for OpenSP2 programming vary. Additional information is available here.
The University’s Trustees reserve the right at any time to amend the regulations concerning tuition, fees, and method of payment and to make such changes applicable to students currently enrolled in the University as well as to new students. Tuition refund information can be found here.