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Why Earn a Master’s in Public Administration?


As with most management positions, the educational requirements for those who are looking to enter public administration, or management in the public sector, local government, or non-profit organizations are only increasing. Luckily, these requirements do not need students to attend traditional, campus programs, especially as online and hybrid (mixed online and in-person learning) become more common. Earning a master’s in public administration degree (an MPA program) is a requirement for many employers looking to fill these positions with management professionals. You can also focus on subjects such a public financial management, strategic planning for non-profit management, human resource management for non-profit sectors, and other public management roles in government and non-profit agencies. While you may earn an entry-level position with the academics and courses you complete in an online or traditional associate or undergraduate degree, the best bet for public administration professionals to earn top management positions in the private sector and non-profit sector is to complete an MPA program or an equivalent master's in public administration right away. With this, you can step right into a pubic management position in the non-profit sector, start gaining experience, and think about earning online graduate certificates to add to your educational portfolio and keep you up to date on emerging technologies and issues in policy analysis or non-profit management.

Compare Popular Online Public Administration Programs

PROS

  • Those with a master’s degree earn higher salaries than those with lower level degrees, including those with bachelor's
  • With a master’s in public administration degree, you can earn certifications to expand your job options; with an online master's degree in this field or human resource management, you can maintain your career while increasing your education
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), those who graduate with an online or traditional master’s degree could earn around 68% more than those with an associate degree and 18% more than those with a bachelor’s when they move into non-profit management, public service, or even find roles in local government
  • There are dual-degree programs in Protection Management and Public Policy specializing in Emergency Management and more that are available to qualified students seeking an online or hybrid (online and in-person) master’s in public administration program
  • Earning your master’s, whether you do so online or on campus, can be used by working professionals as a steppingstone to continue your education and obtain a PhD in public administration, non-profit management, public service, human capital management, pubic affairs, human resource management or budgeting and financial management for the public or non-profit sector, etc.
  • You will get a job faster than someone with a bachelor’s degree or associate degree
  • Many employers require you to have a master’s for employment
  • You will gain some experience, which most employers require
  • Your job will likely be safer from future automation
  • These degrees are not as common online or in-person as MBAs; therefore, jobs for MPA program graduates are not as contested as those who graduate with an MBA.

CONS

  • It takes two years more to earn a master’s than a bachelor’s and even longer if you study using part-time/online Master of Public Admin. (MPA) programs
  • Investment return might be less than necessary to cover the cost of the degree if you aren’t in a high-paying area
  • There are a lot of prerequisites involved in the enrollment process
  • The starting salary for 2011 master’s graduates in this specialty was relatively low, as the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) estimated it at $40,000 per year

Top 25 Best Online Masters in Public Administration Programs


1

Northwestern University

Score: 88.68

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $51,869
    • Out-of-State: $51,869
  • Net Price: $22,095
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Retention Rate: 98%
  • Graduation Rate: 97%
  • Total Enrollment: 23,161
  • Undergrad Students: 8,993
  • Graduate Students: 14,168
  • Grads Salary: $87,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 6:1
  • Northwestern University
2

Cornell University

Score: 87.53

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $29,500
    • Out-of-State: $29,500
  • Net Price: $26,060
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Retention Rate: 97%
  • Graduation Rate: 95%
  • Total Enrollment: 25,898
  • Undergrad Students: 15,735
  • Graduate Students: 10,163
  • Grads Salary: $90,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • Cornell University
3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Score: 85.18

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,552
    • Out-of-State: $28,844
  • Net Price: $10,614
  • Acceptance Rate: 17%
  • Retention Rate: 96%
  • Graduation Rate: 91%
  • Total Enrollment: 31,705
  • Undergrad Students: 20,029
  • Graduate Students: 11,676
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
4

University of Southern California

Score: 81.91

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $63,468
    • Out-of-State: $63,468
  • Net Price: $36,808
  • Acceptance Rate: 12%
  • Retention Rate: 97%
  • Graduation Rate: 92%
  • Total Enrollment: 48,945
  • Undergrad Students: 20,699
  • Graduate Students: 28,246
  • Grads Salary: $89,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • University of Southern California
5

Villanova University

Score: 80.84

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $21,207
    • Out-of-State: $21,207
  • Net Price: $34,837
  • Acceptance Rate: 23%
  • Retention Rate: 96%
  • Graduation Rate: 91%
  • Total Enrollment: 10,383
  • Undergrad Students: 6,989
  • Graduate Students: 3,394
  • Grads Salary: $87,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 10:1
  • Villanova University
6

San Diego State University

Score: 79.67

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,176
    • Out-of-State: $16,680
  • Net Price: $13,017
  • Acceptance Rate: 39%
  • Retention Rate: 89%
  • Graduation Rate: 78%
  • Total Enrollment: 37,402
  • Undergrad Students: 32,194
  • Graduate Students: 5,208
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 25:1
  • San Diego State University
7

Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Score: 79.42

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $18,696
    • Out-of-State: $31,800
  • Net Price: $17,535
  • Acceptance Rate: 66%
  • Retention Rate: 92%
  • Graduation Rate: 84%
  • Total Enrollment: 50,637
  • Undergrad Students: 36,344
  • Graduate Students: 14,293
  • Grads Salary: $79,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • Rutgers University-New Brunswick
8

Northeastern University

Score: 78.96

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $26,715
    • Out-of-State: $26,715
  • Net Price: $35,827
  • Acceptance Rate: 7%
  • Retention Rate: 97%
  • Graduation Rate: 91%
  • Total Enrollment: 30,013
  • Undergrad Students: 16,302
  • Graduate Students: 13,711
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Northeastern University
9

California State University-Long Beach

Score: 78.75

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,176
    • Out-of-State: $16,680
  • Net Price: $9,346
  • Acceptance Rate: 40%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 73%
  • Total Enrollment: 38,973
  • Undergrad Students: 32,931
  • Graduate Students: 6,042
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 22:1
  • California State University-Long Beach
10

Ohio State University

Score: 78.28

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,092
    • Out-of-State: $38,693
  • Net Price: $19,582
  • Acceptance Rate: 53%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 88%
  • Total Enrollment: 60,540
  • Undergrad Students: 46,123
  • Graduate Students: 14,417
  • Grads Salary: $74,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Ohio State University
11

Texas A&M University-College Station

Score: 77.76

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,885
    • Out-of-State: $19,593
  • Net Price: $20,375
  • Acceptance Rate: 63%
  • Retention Rate: 95%
  • Graduation Rate: 84%
  • Total Enrollment: 74,014
  • Undergrad Students: 57,512
  • Graduate Students: 16,502
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • Texas A&M University-College Station
12

University of Delaware

Score: 77.26

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,622
    • Out-of-State: $17,622
  • Net Price: $18,044
  • Acceptance Rate: 74%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 80%
  • Total Enrollment: 24,039
  • Undergrad Students: 19,482
  • Graduate Students: 4,557
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 15:1
  • University of Delaware
13

Clemson University

Score: 75.67

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,858
    • Out-of-State: $22,566
  • Net Price: $24,577
  • Acceptance Rate: 43%
  • Retention Rate: 92%
  • Graduation Rate: 85%
  • Total Enrollment: 28,466
  • Undergrad Students: 22,566
  • Graduate Students: 5,900
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Clemson University
14

Indiana University-Bloomington

Score: 75.51

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,033
    • Out-of-State: $31,932
  • Net Price: $16,234
  • Acceptance Rate: 82%
  • Retention Rate: 90%
  • Graduation Rate: 81%
  • Total Enrollment: 47,005
  • Undergrad Students: 35,660
  • Graduate Students: 11,345
  • Grads Salary: $73,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Indiana University-Bloomington
15

University of Central Florida

Score: 75.46

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,916
    • Out-of-State: $25,759
  • Net Price: $13,108
  • Acceptance Rate: 41%
  • Retention Rate: 93%
  • Graduation Rate: 76%
  • Total Enrollment: 68,346
  • Undergrad Students: 58,662
  • Graduate Students: 9,684
  • Grads Salary: $69,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 29:1
  • University of Central Florida
16

Washington Adventist University

Score: 75.35

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $11,160
    • Out-of-State: $11,160
  • Net Price: $17,088
  • Acceptance Rate: 51%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 50%
  • Total Enrollment: 671
  • Undergrad Students: 582
  • Graduate Students: 89
  • Grads Salary: $88,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 6:1
  • Washington Adventist University
17

University of Miami

Score: 74.34

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $41,580
    • Out-of-State: $41,580
  • Net Price: $36,467
  • Acceptance Rate: 19%
  • Retention Rate: 92%
  • Graduation Rate: 84%
  • Total Enrollment: 19,402
  • Undergrad Students: 12,504
  • Graduate Students: 6,898
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • University of Miami
18

Florida International University

Score: 73.41

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,119
    • Out-of-State: $21,600
  • Net Price: $9,881
  • Acceptance Rate: 64%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 69%
  • Total Enrollment: 55,609
  • Undergrad Students: 45,688
  • Graduate Students: 9,921
  • Grads Salary: $68,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • Florida International University
19

University of Illinois Chicago

Score: 73.4

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $14,181
    • Out-of-State: $25,346
  • Net Price: $10,384
  • Acceptance Rate: 79%
  • Retention Rate: 78%
  • Graduation Rate: 62%
  • Total Enrollment: 33,747
  • Undergrad Students: 21,807
  • Graduate Students: 11,940
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • University of Illinois Chicago
20

Arizona State University

Score: 72.2

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $12,014
    • Out-of-State: $24,498
  • Net Price: $14,808
  • Acceptance Rate: 90%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%
  • Total Enrollment: 80,065
  • Undergrad Students: 65,492
  • Graduate Students: 14,573
  • Grads Salary: $75,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • Arizona State University
21

Norwich University

Score: 71.63

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $20,280
    • Out-of-State: $20,280
  • Net Price: $24,501
  • Acceptance Rate: 83%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 61%
  • Total Enrollment: 3,363
  • Undergrad Students: 2,799
  • Graduate Students: 564
  • Grads Salary: $87,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 11:1
  • Norwich University
22

California State University-Northridge

Score: 71.46

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $7,176
    • Out-of-State: $16,680
  • Net Price: $8,936
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 75%
  • Graduation Rate: 56%
  • Total Enrollment: 37,579
  • Undergrad Students: 32,181
  • Graduate Students: 5,398
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • California State University-Northridge
23

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Score: 71.15

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $10,834
    • Out-of-State: $26,564
  • Net Price: $16,926
  • Acceptance Rate: 91%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 67%
  • Total Enrollment: 33,403
  • Undergrad Students: 25,777
  • Graduate Students: 7,626
  • Grads Salary: $74,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Colorado State University-Fort Collins
24

American Public University System

Score: 70.53

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $6,660
    • Out-of-State: $6,660
  • Net Price: $11,172
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 90%
  • Graduation Rate: 55%
  • Total Enrollment: 48,668
  • Undergrad Students: 39,206
  • Graduate Students: 9,462
  • Grads Salary: $76,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 24:1
  • American Public University System
25

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Score: 70.39

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $11,090
    • Out-of-State: $20,520
  • Net Price: $5,001
  • Acceptance Rate: 51%
  • Retention Rate: 76%
  • Graduation Rate: 54%
  • Total Enrollment: 13,921
  • Undergrad Students: 12,061
  • Graduate Students: 1,860
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Overview of a Master's in Public Administration Program


What Master's in Public Administration Degrees are Available?


  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Public Administration:
    In general, an MBA is for those interested in the private sector and modern business rather than the public sector. While studying during your online or evening course-focused MBA, you may learn about finance, budgeting and financial management, marketing, accounting, general management, labor relations, public affairs, organizational management, emergency management, sales, and related areas as well as how to be highly competitive in the business industry and various organizational entities, which may or may not include non-profit organizations or political positions.
  • A Master's in Public Administration Program (MPA):
    Similar to an MBA, an MPA program, foused on public administration, is a professional degree that focuses public administration student's learning on issues of governance. Those who wish to pursue a leadership role working in public sector organizations, the non-profit sector, public service, or bureaucracy should consider earning a public administration or MPA degree, as it will provide students with financial and management skills as well as law, sociology, and public administration and public policy knowledge.

Admission Requirements


Public administration degree admission requirements will, of course, vary between colleges and universities, as each has their own way of doing things. However, with most institutions, there are numerous requirements that you must fulfill in order to enroll in a online or traditional master’s degree program. To be eligible for a public administration or MPA program, prospective students must demonstrate a capacity for achievement through past professional or academic work, hold a public administration bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and submit the following:

  • A completed application
  • Official transcripts from all attended colleges and/or universities
  • A current resume or curriculum vitae
  • A personal statement that describes educational and career goals
  • Relevant volunteer or work experience
  • Any special circumstances that may affect past or prospective academic performance

Find Your Public Administration School

How long does it take to earn an online Public Administration Master’s?


Depending on work and personal circumstances, most public administration MBA, MPA, and other master’s degree programs can take anywhere from two to five years to complete, but 2 years is the average for full-time students. If you work and would need to attend online classes part-time, it can take graduate students up to five years to earn their master’s in public administration, even if they attend online.

There are also fast-track programs available in-person or online for public administration or MPA students around the world who are anxious to join the workforce as soon as possible.

Potential Careers in Public Administration with a Master’s


  • Executive Director:
    This career in the public administration field is basically the same as a CEO, who is in charge of the entire company, only this position lies within a non-profit organization. These professional leaders are responsible for reporting findings to the board of directors, tracking and directing budget decisions that will increase strategic reach, fundraising, developing and maintaining conduct performance reviews, supervising department heads, analyzing operations, meeting strategic goals, and other duties.
    Median Salary: $79,800
  • Director of Development:
    A career on the development side is for those who would rather stick to fundraising aspects of a non-profit, as a director is the one responsible for fundraising for projects. Other duties involved with this role may include keeping track of the financial condition and business developments of your company, overseeing fundraising by developing and implementing strategic plans to raise funds in a timely manner, researching corporations and foundations, and writing grants.
    Median Salary: $75,900
  • Program Analyst:
    In this position, you will focus on the improvement of a program within an institution. Program Analysts are usually responsible for working with content producers and designers; working with developers to integrate databases; back-end codes using business applications; working with users to identify system requirements; analyzing, designing, planning, writing, and debugging software for websites, complex queries, and database stored procedures; and evaluating programs' effectiveness.
    Median Salary: $69,200
  • City Manager:
    City managers are public administrators who operate city governments with successful business efficiency. To obtain this position you must be chosen by elected officials where you will typically work part-time for either a small town or a large city. Some of the duties you will be responsible for in this role are, advising elected officials while developing ordinances and policies, supervising administrative personnel and department heads, implementing legislation enacted by elected officials, managing and coordinating daily service and departments operations, and preparing, administering and overseeing the annual city budget, and more.
    Median Salary: $92,100
  • Mayor:
    Once you have gained some experience in the public administration industry, which can include holding a position in any of the jobs listed above, you can choose to run for mayor or a position on the city council where you will help run the city and be responsible for managing the city’s government.
    Median Salary: $56,000

Options to Advance


Public administrators' earnings depend on degree levels and job titles. On the analytical side of public administration, positions for operations research analysts are expected to grow 27% over the next decade, which is significantly higher than the national growth average.

Those who hold a master's in public administration or MPA and wish to advance their career, can obtain a PhD in public administration, which will open the doors to a wide range of opportunities. Students can select from several public administration areas, depending on their skills and interests. Those interested in math and finance can get a job as a budget analyst, where those interested in healthcare can get a job as a health services manager.

Frequently Asked Questions


What is the point of earning a master’s degree in public administration? What will I get out of an advanced degree that I didn’t get out of a bachelor’s?

It’s true that you learn much of what you need to know about public administration in a bachelor’s degree. Why then should you consider earning a master’s in the field, other than just to boost your resume and ensure that your prospective employers pay attention to your resume? Well, for one thing, there is only so much time in a bachelor’s degree. And some of that time is taken up in completing general education courses, and some of that time is spent teaching you the basics of your major. So ,the amount of time left over for teaching the more in-depth material can be somewhat scant by the time you get to the end of your undergraduate degree program. This is why master’s degrees exist after all, to provide depth to the knowledge you have already gained. In the case of a master’s public administration degree, much of what you can expect to learn at this level includes research and analytical skills, problem-solving skills, management techniques and theory, and all about current social and technical problems that you are likely to run into in the field.

Where might I work if I complete a master’s in public administration?

Many public administration graduates find themselves working in government positions, but you might just as easily go to work for a non-profit or even a healthcare facility. Public administrators can help facilitate compliance with the many government laws that hospitals and other healthcare facilities and clinics must follow at all times. Their educational focus on compliance can help them to succeed in these types of facilities while others might not understand the incredible importance of compliance and risk management.

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