Costs & Housing

Costs & Housing

Tuition / Program Fees 

  • Fall / Spring: Standard IU tuition applies, plus housing costs in D.C. (housing is billed directly through the IU Bursar). Please check with the Bursar’s office to verify if your scholarships transfer.
  • Summer: Program fee of $1,500; housing, meals, and personal expenses are additional. 

Housing & Amenities (at 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC)

Housing Rates (All Terms):

  • Rates are the same for Fall, Spring, and Summer:
    $1,500 per month for a single room
    $750 per month for a double room

Included amenities: utilities; kitchenette (fridge, microwave, air-fryer); laundry; communal lounge; free Wi-Fi; on-site classroom and meeting rooms; access to local fitness facilities; 24-hour security; bedding provided (students bring towels and personal items). 

Housing will be billed through the IU Bursar system — same as tuition.  

*Course offerings, fees, and housing rates are subject to change.

Estimated Costs & Budget

We know budgeting is a critical part of deciding whether to join the Washington, D.C. Global Policy Program. Below you’ll find a realistic breakdown of what a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. might cost compared with a regular IU term. These estimates cover tuition, housing, program fees, and living expenses. Use them to plan ahead — and to compare more easily with staying on campus or elsewhere. 

Use the table below for planning. All numbers are approximate. Tuition, fees, courses, and housing rates may change — always check the latest IU and program data. 

 

Fall / Spring Semester (D.C.) 

Summer Program (D.C.) 

Tuition & Fees 

Same as regular IU tuition/fees — residents and non-residents pay their standard rates. See IU’s Cost of Attendance page for current rates. Student Central+1 

No IU tuition. Only the program participation fee applies. 

Program / Participation Fee 

None (standard tuition covers coursework) 

$1,500 program fee 

Housing (billed via IU Bursar, location: 1619 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.) 

$1,500/month for a single room, or $750/month for a double room 

$1,250/month for single, or $625/month for double 

Living costs (food, utilities, transit, personal, etc.) 

Varies by student lifestyle — must budget separately 

Varies by student lifestyle — must budget separately 

Tuition, fees, course offerings, and housing rates are subject to change. Housing is subject to availability.

  • Housing (single): $1,500 × 4 = $6,000
  • Living expenses (food, transit, personal, etc.): assume $1,200–$1,800/month → $4,800–$7,200
  • Total extra costs (housing + living): approx. $10,800–$13,200 on top of regular IU tuition/fees
  • Program fee: $1,500
  • Housing (single): $1,250 × 3 = $3,750
  • Living expenses (food, transit, personal, etc.): assume $1,200–$1,800/month → $3,600–$5,400
  • Total Summer cost: approx. $6,850–$8,650 (depending on lifestyle and housing choice)
  • Tuition and fees are identical to what you pay at campus — no premium simply for being in D.C.
  • Housing is billed through the IU Bursar, so payment is integrated with your regular student billing.
  • Living in D.C. offers access to internships, networking, and professional opportunities — a value that goes beyond mere cost.
  • You can choose shared (double) housing or short-stay housing to reduce costs if your budget is tight. 

For more information regarding housing layout, please see below:

Lobby view of Massachusetts Ave
Views of the sleeping room floors.
Views of the sleeping room floors.

Lobby view of Massachusetts Ave, and views of the sleeping room floors.

Contact

For questions, housing logistics, funding, application support, or general inquiries: 
Katherine Ntiamoah — kntiamoa@iu.edu