If you are interested in a career in government, policy, budgeting, development or organizational operations consider an online MPA from an accredited university. Online MPA programs prepare you for the leadership roles that require critical thought and decision-making all throughout the public and private sectors. These professionals tend to work behind the scenes, but their salaries are at the forefront of the US national earnings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, political scientists alone make a median annual salary of $125,350. Most public administration careers require applicants to have completed online MPA programs and have the demonstrable skills and knowledge to keep society functioning and operations effective.
An online MPA can spark a rewarding career but can cost a small fortune—as much as $82,000! Clearly, it pays to do your research before choosing an online master’s in public administration. Thankfully, GetEducated has done a big portion of this research so you can make an informed decision about one of the biggest purchases of a lifetime.
GetEducated compared 179 master’s degrees in public administration from 143 regionally accredited online schools to create this ‘Best Buy’ list. Our rankings reveal the most affordable options in the United States—96 online MPA programs for under $25,100.
ARTICLE NAVIGATION: Rankings Table | Career Guide
Average Cost (In-state): ~$25,100
Least Expensive: University of North Carolina at Pembroke ~$10,746.12
Most Expensive: University of Southern California ~$81,817
Our data-driven research creates a truly reliable system of scientific rankings. There’s no fancy formulas here. We meticulously calculate total full-time tuition—including any fees—for the most accurate total cost. Our rankings cannot be bought, and therefore factually showcase the cheapest online MPA programs. The online degrees listed above the gray dividing line are official 2022 “Best Buys” and cost less than the national average.
Most Affordable Online MPA Programs
| Rank | School / Degree | State | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | (NC) | $10,746.12 $37,946.28 | In-State Out-of-State |
2 | Arkansas State University | (AR) | $11,412.00 | All Students |
3 | Valdosta State University | (GA) | $11,988.00 | All Students |
4 | University of Montana | (MT) | $12,068.00 $23,228.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
5 | University of North Georgia | (GA) | $12,108.00 | All Students |
6 | Columbus State University | (GA) | $12,524.00 $38,156.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
7 | University of West Georgia | (GA) | $12,632.00 | All Students |
8 | The University of Texas Permian Basin | (TX) | $12,815.64 | All Students |
9 | Georgia College & State University | (GA) | $12,848.00 | All Students |
10 | Florida Gulf Coast University | (FL) | $13,441.68 | All Students |
11 | University of Central Florida | (FL) | $13,747.44 $48,372.24 | In-State Out-of-State |
12 | Southeast Missouri State University | (MO) | $13,914.00 | All Students |
13 | University of South Dakota | (SD) | $14,113.50 | All Students |
14 | Ball State University | (IN) | $14,352.00 $20,802.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
15 |  American Public University System | (WV) | $14,450.00 $9,350.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
16 | University of North Carolina-Wilmington | (NC) | $14,588.64 $42,246.72 | In-State Out-of-State |
17 | Tarleton State University | (TX) | $14,775.12 $29,499.12 | In-State Out-of-State |
18 | Barry University | (FL) | $14,976.00 | All Students |
19 | Clayton State University | (GA) | $15,088.00 | All Students |
20 | University of Southern Indiana | (IN) | $15,196.72 | All Students |
21 | Marshall University | (WV) | $15,336.00 | All Students |
22 | Southern Utah University | (UT) | $15,480.00 | All Students |
23 | Stephen F. Austin State University | (TX) | $16,054.00 $30,742.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
24 | Indiana State University | (IN) | $16,152.00 $20,832.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
25 | Adams State University | (CO) | $16,300.80 | All Students |
26 | Lincoln Memorial University | (TN) | $16,350.00 | All Students |
27 | Jacksonville State University | (AL) | $16,450.00 $11,050.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
28 | University of Central Oklahoma | (OK) | $16,522.92 $31,531.32 | In-State Out-of-State |
29 | The University of Texas at Arlington | (TX) | $16,575.00 | All Students |
30 | Wichita State University | (KS) | $16,613.22 | All Students |
31 | Murray State University | (KY) | $16,884.00 | All Students |
32 | Montreat College | (NC) | $16,900.00 | All Students |
33 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | (NE) | $17,225.05 $26,663.05 | In-State Out-of-State |
34 | Delaware State University | (DE) | $17,364.00 | All Students |
35 | University of Louisiana at Monroe | (LA) | $18,000.00 | All Students |
36 | Touro University Worldwide | (CA) | $18,200.00 | All Students |
37 | West Texas A & M University | (TX) | $18,219.60 $33,558.84 | In-State Out-of-State |
38 | University of Illinois at Springfield | (IL) | $18,344.40 | All Students |
39 | Southern University and A & M College | (LA) | $18,401.00 | All Students |
40 | Wayland Baptist University | (TX) | $18,504.00 | All Students |
41 | SUNY College at Brockport | (NY) | $18,585.00 $21,975.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
42 | Troy University | (AL) | $18,900.00 | All Students |
43 | University of Colorado Denver | (CO) | $18,936.00 $22,716.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
44 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | (WI) | $19,332.00 | All Students |
45 | Northern Michigan University | (MI) | $19,620.00 | All Students |
46 | Texas Tech University | (TX) | $19,691.00 | All Students |
47 | San Diego State University | (CA) | $19,836.00 | All Students |
48 | Sam Houston State University | (TX) | $19,866.60 | All Students |
49 | Florida State University | (FL) | $19,991.70 $48,404.70 | In-State Out-of-State |
50 | Anderson University - SC | (SC) | $20,060.00 | All Students |
51 |  Lindenwood University | (MO) | $20,105.00 | All Students |
52 | University of North Dakota | (ND) | $20,114.28 | All Students |
53 | Indiana Wesleyan University | (IN) | $20,124.00 $15,093.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
54 | Trevecca Nazarene University | (TN) | $20,268.00 | All Students |
55 |  Colorado Christian University | (CO) | $20,340.00 | All Students |
56 |  Aurora University | (IL) | $20,440.00 $9,100.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
57 | Metropolitan State University | (MN) | $20,495.20 | All Students |
58 |  Strayer University - Online | (DC) | $20,700.00 | All Students |
59 | East Tennessee State University | (TN) | $20,844.00 | All Students |
60 | Excelsior College | (NY) | $20,850.00 $9,450.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
61 | California State University-Dominguez Hills | (CA) | $20,874.00 | All Students |
62 | Florida International University | (FL) | $20,987.83 | All Students |
63 | University of Idaho | (ID) | $21,024.00 | All Students |
64 | Upper Iowa University | (IA) | $21,310.00 $9,070.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
65 |  Liberty University | (VA) | $21,436.00 $10,000.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
66 | Los Angeles Pacific University | (CA) | $21,675.00 $19,515.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
67 | California State University-San Bernardino | (CA) | $21,780.00 $36,036.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
68 | Eastern Kentucky University | (KY) | $21,996.00 $11,700.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
69 | Belhaven University | (MS) | $22,100.00 $14,540.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
70 | Cornerstone University | (MI) | $22,200.00 | All Students |
71 | Park University | (MO) | $22,265.00 $16,181.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
72 | Post University | (CT) | $22,460.00 | All Students |
73 |  Purdue University Global | (IN) | $22,560.00 $24,870.00 $18,800.00 | In-State Out-of-State Military |
74 | University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | (MA) | $22,692.00 | All Students |
75 | Old Dominion University | (VA) | $22,703.00 $24,419.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
76 | Northern Illinois University | (IL) | $22,882.08 | All Students |
77 | Colorado State University | (CO) | $22,982.00 | All Students |
78 |  Grand Canyon University | (AZ) | $23,016.00 $17,050.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
79 | Bellevue University | (NE) | $23,060.00 | All Students |
80 | University of Colorado - Colorado Springs | (CO) | $23,092.00 $26,572.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
81 | Northern Arizona University | (AZ) | $23,257.00 | All Students |
82 | Northern Illinois University | (IL) | $23,468.80 | All Students |
83 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | (NY) | $23,652.50 | All Students |
84 | National University | (CA) | $23,868.00 | All Students |
85 | Lynn University | (FL) | $24,050.00 | All Students |
86 | Morehead State University | (KY) | $24,060.00 | All Students |
87 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania | (PA) | $24,064.56 $26,154.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
88 | Franklin University | (OH) | $24,205.00 $19,381.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
89 | California Baptist University | (CA) | $24,210.00 | All Students |
90 | University of Massachusetts Global | (CA) | $24,480.00 $14,400.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
91 | Walden University | (MN) | $24,560.00 $20,996.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military |
92 | Hilbert College | (NY) | $24,580.00 | All Students |
93 |  Anna Maria College | (MA) | $24,660.00 | All Students |
94 | Saginaw Valley State University | (MI) | $24,758.40 $45,570.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
95 | Kent State University | (OH) | $24,768.00 $25,128.00 | In-State Out-of-State |
96 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | (LA) | $25,092.00 | All Students |
| School / Degree | State | Price | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Claremont Lincoln University | (CA) | $25,200.00 | All Students | |
 Drake University | (IA) | $25,200.00 | All Students | |
Florida Institute of Technology | (FL) | $25,641.00 $23,076.90 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military | |
Azusa Pacific University | (CA) | $25,660.00 | All Students | |
Washington Adventist University | (MD) | $25,885.00 | All Students | |
Central Michigan University | (MI) | $26,184.00 | All Students | |
Marywood University | (PA) | $26,745.00 | All Students | |
Roger Williams University | (RI) | $26,871.00 | All Students | |
Regent University | (VA) | $26,900.00 $20,825.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military | |
Capella University | (MN) | $27,300.00 $24,660.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military | |
 Norwich University | (VT) | $27,534.00 | All Students | |
Belhaven University | (MS) | $27,590.00 $18,140.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military | |
California State University-Northridge | (CA) | $27,947.00 | All Students | |
 Northcentral University | (CA) | $28,122.00 | All Students | |
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | (TX) | $28,124.00 $67,660.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Webster University | (MO) | $28,180.00 $13,780.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military | |
University of Kentucky | (KY) | $28,562.00 | All Students | |
Ohio University | (OH) | $28,944.00 $29,628.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Johnson & Wales University | (RI) | $29,412.00 | All Students | |
Texas Southern University | (TX) | $29,999.88 | All Students | |
Golden Gate University | (CA) | $30,140.00 $17,540.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military | |
DeVry University | (IL) | $30,264.00 $22,425.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military | |
Clemson University | (SC) | $30,899.00 | All Students | |
Indiana University Online | (IN) | $31,649.60 $63,758.24 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Albertus Magnus College | (CT) | $32,832.00 | All Students | |
Adler University | (IL) | $33,280.00 | All Students | |
Marist College | (NY) | $34,130.00 | All Students | |
Pennsylvania State University | (PA) | $34,200.00 | All Students | |
 University of Delaware | (DE) | $34,200.00 | All Students | |
Villanova University | (PA) | $34,200.00 | All Students | |
Sacred Heart University | (CT) | $34,600.00 | All Students | |
University of New Haven | (CT) | $36,240.00 | All Students | |
Presidio Graduate School | (CA) | $36,600.00 $600.00 | In-State/Out-Of-State Military | |
DePaul University | (IL) | $37,908.00 | All Students | |
Northeastern University | (MA) | $38,080.00 | All Students | |
Pace University | (NY) | $38,350.00 | All Students | |
University of Baltimore | (MD) | $38,437.00 $38,164.00 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Tulane University | (LA) | $40,668.00 | All Students | |
Nova Southeastern University | (FL) | $40,944.00 | All Students | |
Rutgers University | (NJ) | $42,762.00 | All Students | |
Texas A & M University | (TX) | $44,559.71 $65,210.60 | In-State Out-of-State | |
Northwestern University | (IL) | $49,699.00 | All Students | |
Syracuse University | (NY) | $52,020.00 | All Students | |
 Johns Hopkins University | (MD) | $52,332.00 | All Students | |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | (NC) | $54,405.00 | All Students | |
Seton Hall University | (NJ) | $54,639.00 | All Students | |
 American University | (DC) | $65,392.00 | All Students | |
University of Miami | (FL) | $79,768.00 | All Students | |
University of Southern California | (CA) | $81,817.00 | All Students |
Accreditation & Program Notes
To qualify for a ranking, a program must be regionally accredited. Additional programmatic accreditation is noted in the rank table.
14 Program is no longer accepting new students.
17 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
22 National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA)
Rankings Note
These online college rankings are based on a GetEducated Winter 2021 review of regionally accredited online MPA programs. Total cost includes full-time tuition and fees and was valid at the time of collection and specific to the online learning program. School profiles for the online master degree programs in our directory may reflect a slightly different cost based on different editorial update schedules.
The published cost is an estimated sticker price for the entire online degree including fees. Actual costs may vary by student. Factors such as transfer credits, prerequisite courses, professional licensing and financial aid availability will affect final cost.
Editorial Note
Online schools do NOT pay to be included in any GetEducated online degree ranking. These rankings are editorially independent, open to any regionally accredited or candidate college that offers a master’s degree that is available at least 80 percent through online learning and that is open to enrollment by the public. If your online college is regionally accredited and not currently reviewed by GetEducated, please contact us for inclusion.
These rankings of the cheapest online schools for public administration may NOT be re-posted online or reprinted in any format without a license from GetEducated ®. Consumer finance bloggers and writers can contact our editors for a free custom article on the best online MPA for use on your website. Our mission: Help consumers GetEducated ® about the best online colleges for cost and credibility.
Career Guide: Online MPA Programs
If you want to contribute to some of the most important organizations in the country, including government agencies and nonprofit groups, these online MPA programs are a great choice. These programs teach you advanced methods in organization, public policy, and everything else you need to be an important member of these essential groups.
What to Expect from an Online MPA Program
An online MPA is a high-level degree that teaches you how to lead in public service and be-come an important member of your local community. If you are ready to step into a role where you can have a significant impact, this is a great education for you.
MPA stands for “Master’s of Public Administration”. It’s a degree that prepares you for careers in government, which doesn’t mean being an elected official (although that is possible), but instead means careers as a government employee, working for agencies and offices that implement policy and services created by elected officials.
To gain entry into these master’s programs, you’ll first need the right bachelor’s degree, as well as strong grades from your previous studies. Your bachelor’s degree could be in public administration, political science, management, social services, or another area that deals with government, nonprofits, and community service.
The curriculum in these degrees can be both challenging and rewarding. You’ll likely take classes that include the fundamentals of public administration, public policy analysis, and budget-ing for governments. You may also need to take classes on administration law, policy economics, the ethics of government.
Many classes will deal with math, research, and statistics. While these are not science degrees (they are often taught by the humanities or liberal arts departments), they will require a basic knowledge on objective research and analysis of government policy.
Potential Careers with an Online MPA
This education prepares you for many different careers, including…
Administrative Services Manager
- Salary: $98,890
- Education: Bachelor’s degree
- Experience: Five years or less
An administrative services manager serves many different roles for a company, but most of all they help a company run more efficiently and effectively. There is a wide variety of tasks, and much will depend on the specific position, but these professionals will supervise clerical staff, monitor records, set goals for administrative departments, and recommend policy changes to improve a company.
The potential pay in this career is excellent, and the top 10% can earn over $169,000 a year. The expected growth is strong as well. This career is expected to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030, adding over 28,000 jobs in that span.
Political Scientist
- Salary: $125,350
- Education: Master’s degree
- Experience: None
A public administration degree focuses heavily on political policy, which is why a career as a political scientist is a possible career after completing an online MPA. In this career, you would be responsible for researching political topics, analyzing data, and evaluating the effectiveness of policy changes. Overall, you would study government, policy, and political trends in the U.S. and across the globe, making this an exciting option for anyone interest in politics.
This career is also expected to grow by 9% between 2020 and 2030. Political scientists will be in high demand, and the top 10% can expect annual earnings over $170,000.
Licensing & Certifications for Public Administration Professionals
For most of these careers, you will not need licensing of any kind. There are no legal requirements for testing and licenses for most administrative careers, which is an advantage for these professions.
Voluntary certification, on the other hand, could be a significant boost to your career. Certification will not only make you more skilled in your chosen profession, it will give you a competitive edge in the hiring process. If an employer is looking at two job candidates, both with equal education, skills, and experience, it’s possible that they will favor the applicant who has professional certifications.
These certifications can come from many different organizations. For administrative managers, groups like the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) could be a good choice for improving your career. Other groups of interest may be the Society for Human Resource Management, which specializes in HR and benefits professionals, or the Certified Fund Raising Executive program, which educates leaders of nonprofit organizations.
Regardless of licensing and certifications, you’ll likely need experience to work in a management or leadership role. If you want to be a department head or leader of some kind in public administration, government, or a nonprofit, you’ll likely need about five years of experience be-fore you are hired.