Most Affordable Online Master's in Public Administration

According to U.S. News, Indiana University - Bloomington houses the #1 top MPA degree online. Indeed, the program's high-quality curriculum and unique perks easily set it apart from the crowd. For example, IU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) operates a Career Development and Alumni Relations office that works to connect current students with hiring organizations across the country. And if you're currently working in the field, you can take advantage of the program's "prior professional experience credit" and save significant time (and money) in earning your degree. Yet another perk? SPEA offers "advanced curriculum areas" that you can use to acquire targeted expertise in Policy Analysis, Public Financial Administration, and more.
Average Tuition & Fees: $19,859/yr
Score: 77.35

The MPA curriculum at the University of South Florida is one of the most extensive that you'll find on this master's in public administration online ranking. To earn their degree, USF MPA students must complete a full 45 credits (15 classes) of coursework. However, the core sequence is fairly standard in both length and content; it includes eight courses in subjects like "Public Budgeting" and "Ethics and Public Service." That leaves you plenty of room to customize the rest of your degree with electives. You can focus on a particular topic - Nonprofit Administration or Budgeting and Financial Management, for example - or pick an eclectic mix to suit your unique interests and goals.
Average Tuition & Fees: $15,777/yr
Score: 76.34

Given its reputation for online learning, it should come as no surprise that National University offers an efficient, highly-structured MPA program. Organized through a series of key learning objectives, National's online MPA curriculum will guide you through a sequence of increasingly complex lessons. You'll start with "Foundations of Public Administration"before moving onto advanced topics in ethics, urban planning, and grant administration. Finally, you'll tackle a two-month capstone project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Working individually or with classmates, you'll research a pertinent topic, analyze the data, and prepare both written and oral reports.
Average Tuition & Fees: $11,232/yr
Score: 75.7

At CSU Dominguez Hills, online learning differs significantly from the on-campus experience. But this isn't a bad thing; rather, faculty modifies their web-based lessons to maximize interactivity and understanding. For example, while traditional students meet weekly in one three-hour block, online learners will log into Blackboard for discussions and assignments several times throughout the week. This approach ensures a high level of engagement as you take classes in public management, budgeting, policy analysis, and more. And to really get the most bang for your buck out of CSU's affordable online public administration master's program, you can add a concentration in Criminal Justice, Nonprofit Administration, Public Management, or Health Care Policy.
Average Tuition & Fees: $12,153/yr
Score: 75.2

As an executive degree, the University of Texas A&M's online MPA differs from other programs in that it focuses exclusively on career advancement for current full-time public service professionals. From the very beginning, the curriculum dives into challenging topics like economic analysis, quantitative methods, and public policy formation. And the challenges continue in an intensive, two-semester capstone class. Here, you'll collaborate with your classmates and a local government agency or nonprofit organization to tackle a relevant public service issue. Given the high-level curriculum and rigorous expectations, it's clear that UTAM - College Station has one of the top online master's degrees in public administration for experienced professionals who want to enhance their career prospects.
Average Tuition & Fees: $13,989/yr
Score: 74.27

In many ways, UC Colorado Springs' MPA program is virtually indistinguishable from the other schools on this list. The 36-credit curriculum includes a standard core sequence that covers topics like organizational management, ethics, public finance, and leadership. In addition, you'll complete a final capstone or thesis paper, plus an internship (for those lacking sufficient work experience in public service). But there's another reason that UCCS stands out on our online master's degrees in public administration ranking: graduate certificates. That is, you can apply your electives to simultaneously earn both your MPA and a 15-credit certificate in Nonprofit Management, Homeland Security, or National Security Intelligence, among other options.
Average Tuition & Fees: $15,068/yr
Score: 70.68

The typical applicant to Indiana State's MPA program is a mid-career professional who wants to expand their opportunities by earning a graduate degree. Since many of these students work full-time, the program provides flexibility in the form of part-time enrollment and convenient online delivery (including both asynchronous access and web-based videoconferencing). As for coursework, the curriculum aims to build on candidates' foundational knowledge and enhance their current abilities. The required core even includes two advanced seminars in "Public Administration" and "American Administrative Institutions and Public Policies." In addition, you can choose from some concentrations that are relatively uncommon for this online public administration master's programs ranking.
Average Tuition & Fees: $10,757/yr
Score: 68.17

For students looking to get in and out of a degree program as quickly as possible, San Diego State University offers an enticing option. That's because its cheap online master's degree in public administration takes a mere 16 months to complete! However, speed and affordability don't take the place of quality at SDSU. Participants take on a full 36-credit curriculum, complete with four electives, a capstone, and two on-campus experiences (one each the beginning and end of the program). But thanks to an accelerated pace that lets you take two courses at a time in two-month modules, you'll be out the door - and on with your career - in no time.
Average Tuition & Fees: $12,814/yr
Score: 68.03

Interested in an online program but worried about losing the interactivity of traditional classes? Look to the University of North Dakota, where live web courses will bring you together (virtually) with your classmates one night a week. This format allows for dynamic discussions and real-time lessons as you study health policy, public personnel, administrative ethics, and more. On another note, UND has perhaps the top master's in public administration online for social entrepreneurs. That's thanks to its concentration in Social Entrepreneurship, which includes classes in political advocacy and the creation and management of social enterprises.
Average Tuition & Fees: $14,643/yr
Score: 66.02

At the University of West Georgia, it doesn't matter if you've spent years in public service, are completely new to the field, or are looking for a mid-life career change. UWG's accredited online public administration master's program can handle students from virtually every background; all you need is a strong work ethic and an interest in government work. Once admitted, you'll dive into a rich core curriculum that covers all the standard topics, including organizational theory, budgeting, policy analysis, administrative law, and more. In the second half of the program, you'll pick electives and complete a Comprehensive Research Project. This project will require you to analyze a relevant program, policy, or issue in public administration.
Average Tuition & Fees: $11,709/yr
Score: 65.59

Marist College's MPA program aims to transform you into the ideal public administrator. In other words, it will instill you with critical thinking and problem-solving skills while shaping you into a leader who can motivate others and encourage creativity in diverse groups. These abilities will come to you as you tackle challenging core classes like "Innovation in Public Administration" and "Technology Management for Public Managers." Next, you'll customize this affordable online master's degree in public administration with one of four concentrations. Options include Emergency Services, Healthcare Administration, Public Management, and Ethical Leadership.
Average Tuition & Fees: $14,040/yr
Score: 63.3

For an intensely career-focused MPA program, look no further than the University of Colorado Denver. The degree's targeted concentrations are designed to tailor your skills to particular occupational areas, including Crime Analysis; Nonprofit Organizations; and Environmental Policy, Management, and Law. (Note, however, that some concentration courses may not be available online). While pursuing this affordable master's in public administration online, you'll also have to decide between completing a final seminar course or writing a thesis. Speaking of affordable, UC Denver offers a significant discount to out-of-state applicants; instead of the traditional rate, non-residents only pay 120% of in-state tuition.
Average Tuition & Fees: $16,282/yr
Score: 62.87

More than most schools on this master's in public administration online ranking, EKU's program prioritizes flexibility and customizability. At its core, the curriculum aims to help you "hone your leadership and managerial skills." But beyond that, this degree is what you make of it. You'll even have an opportunity to design your own personalized area of concentration by combining electives from across the graduate school catalog. For example, past students have crafted specializations in areas like Homeland Security and Occupational Safety. If this level of freedom seems a bit too daunting, rest easy: you can always opt for EKU's pre-approved concentration in Community Development.
Average Tuition & Fees: $12,720/yr
Score: 62.8

If you're interested in emergency management, check out the MPA program at Sam Houston State. In addition to traditional public administration coursework, SHSU's curriculum also incorporates specialized classes like "Global Disaster Politics" and "Emergency Management" that will prepare you to handle any crisis you may face on the job. Aside from this unique specialization, Sam Houston's affordable online public administration master's program also stands out for the personalized attention it offers. In fact, the school caps course enrollment at 20 students to ensure that you get plenty of time to interact with your professors.
Average Tuition & Fees: $10,995/yr
Score: 62.8

Northern Michigan University's flexible MPA program can accommodate current public admin professionals as well as those who are new to the field. The curriculum starts with a series of essential classes (e.g. "Public Budget Management") to benefit students of all skill levels. Next, you'll have a chance to branch out by completing four electives. Select an assortment of topics or group your courses around a particular concentration, such as Criminal Justice Administration or State and Local Government. And when you're almost ready to graduate from this top MPA degree online, you'll wrap things up with a final capstone or thesis paper.
Average Tuition & Fees: $10,326/yr
Score: 61.58

Compared to other top online public administration master's programs, Arkansas State's degree puts a much stronger emphasis on management skills. In fact, one of the program's main goals is to help candidates obtain executive and director-level positions within their current fields of employment. To assist in this effort, ASU has developed a curriculum that includes a specialized track in Public Management. This track incorporates all the topics you'll need to emerge as a leader on the job, from financial management and policy analysis to administrative behavior. In addition, the program offers an optional internship course and an MPA capstone that helps you build a professional portfolio.
Average Tuition & Fees: $8,231/yr
Score: 59.35

At the University of Texas at Arlington, public administration is a versatile discipline that could lead to careers in government, business, consulting, or the nonprofit sector. To capture this versatility, the school's accredited online master's degree in public administration offers classes that span from "Foundations of Urban Research and Analysis" to "Intergovernmental Relations" and "Public and Non-Profit Human Resources Law." The curriculum also includes an internship course that is required for students with less than a year of work experience in public service. But even if you qualify for an exemption, you'll still have to take a final capstone class. Here, you'll conduct research and write a comprehensive paper on a topic of professional interest.
Average Tuition & Fees: $13,068/yr
Score: 59.21

Complete your degree in just 18 months while enjoying small class sizes and personalized support at Norwich University. Courses enroll no more than 15 students, making it easy to get one-on-one attention from your professors - many of whom have a professional background in public administration. Another reason Norwich has one of the top online master's degrees in public administration? The curriculum puts a heavy focus on career development. Indeed, you'll design your own capstone project to address an issue in your current workplace and even develop a final portfolio to showcase your skills to employers.
Average Tuition & Fees: $19,249/yr
Score: 59.07

Texas A&M International University is another school on this MPA degrees online ranking that has earned accreditation from the Network of Schools of Public Policy Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). As such, you can trust that TAMIU's MPA curriculum offers a quality education and will prepare you for a successful career in the nonprofit or public service sector. The course plan doesn't come with any concentrations, but you can still explore areas of personal interest through electives. Plus, you'll hone your practical skills while gaining real-world experience through a required project or internship.
Average Tuition & Fees: $9,604/yr
Score: 57.71

Villanova's accredited, skills-focused MPA program seeks to create "ethical, intelligent, and creative leaders" who will "make a difference in their communit[ies]." To achieve this goal, the curriculum addresses key concepts like organization theory and public personnel management. In addition, this affordable online MPA comes with two optional specializations: Nonprofit Management and City Management. The former covers topics like fundraising and ethics, while the latter provides coursework in strategic planning, public networks, and urban politics. And in both cases, you'll have to demonstrate your knowledge by passing a comprehensive exam before graduating.
Average Tuition & Fees: $18,017/yr
Score: 57.56