The 15 Best Online MPA Programs No GRE Under $30,000

Are you a college grad looking to quickly advance your career and serve others within the field of public administration? If so, online MPA programs, no GRE required may be a fantastic next step for you!

These programs are excellent for passionate professionals like yourself who are hoping to become leaders in public, private, or non-profit sectors. Because no GRE is required, you can get started in the program much quicker than in a traditional program. And we all know the amazing benefits of being able to log in to your classes from the privacy and convenience of your own home!

If this sounds appealing to you, keep reading to learn more about this degree and some of the best online MPA programs—no GRE required!

Article Navigation: Applying to a Master in Public Administration Online Program | Benefits of Online MPA Programs no GRE | The Best Online MPA Programs no GRE | Steps to Apply for Online MPA Programs no GRE | Do MPA Programs That Don’t Require GRE Affect My Career? | Find Your Masters in Public Administration Online with GetEducated

Applying to a Master in Public Administration Online Program

Online MPA no GRE Requirements

As you’ll see from the list below, the admission requirements for MPA online no GRE programs can vary widely. Some programs only require transcripts from a bachelor’s degree, while others require recommendations, statements of purpose, and more. At the very least, you should expect to have to fill out an online application form and submit all transcripts from your undergraduate degree.

There are two more specific items to take note of when applying for these programs:

First, a few programs require you to have some sort of experience in the field and/or have taken some specific foundational courses in your undergraduate program. If you are new to the field of Public Administration, you’ll want to keep an eye on this.

Second, sometimes programs will require a GRE only for students who are below a certain GPA level. For the purposes of our list, we only included programs that don’t require the GRE for anyone.

Traditional Public Administration Master’s Online

Applying for a traditional public administration master's online will include all of the above admission requirements plus the GRE. The GRE is a standardized test that measures aptitude in several key areas. It’s a rigorous test that takes most students months of preparation.

You can learn more about the GRE here.

Benefits of Online MPA Programs no GRE

There are two key benefits to pursuing MPA programs that don’t require GRE: saving time and money.

As previously mentioned, the GRE is a very difficult test, and the vast majority of students need to set aside significant time to study and prepare. Most of the programs on our list have courses that last between 6-8 weeks. Hypothetically, this means that by the time you would have finished studying for the GRE, you could have already finished a course or two in your program of choice.

Though saving time is probably the biggest factor, a no GRE program also helps save some money. Between the test itself and study materials, you can save around $250-300. While we know this isn’t a fortune, we also know that every dollar counts!

And don’t worry about compromising quality. With a no GRE program, you can still specialize in your area of interest, transfer credits, and attend a very reputable school. It’s really a win-win!

Related Article: NASPAA-Accredited Online MPA Programs: 5 Top Choices

The Best Online MPA Programs no GRE Under $30,000

To save you some time in your search, we rounded up some of the best and most affordable online MPA  programs no GRE required:

1. Taft University System

   Degree: Master of Public Administration
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $9,450

   Taft University offers two online learning modalities for their online master of public administration degree to accommodate the needs of any student. Both modalities cover the same curriculum. They prepare students for a career of service in government, nonprofit, and private sectors.

   Their Independent Study modality allows students to complete coursework entirely at their own pace with the assistance of a mentor. The only restriction is that once started, each course must be completed within 8 weeks. For self-motivated students, this modality offers the chance to progress through the program at a very quick pace.

   Those who enjoy a little more structure, as well as some peer-to-peer interactions, will appreciate the Directed Study modality. Students in the Directed Study modality will progress through the program on a pre-established schedule with a cohort of other students.

   Prospective students must submit their undergrad transcripts, an ID, and a resume for admissions.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Public Administration

    

2. University of North Carolina-Wilmington

   Degree: Executive Master of Public Administration
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $9,936

   This Executive MPA degree online no GRE is totally online as well as completely asynchronous. This degree has been uniquely designed for working professionals who already have at least five years of work experience in the field. Full-time students can complete the program in just two years.

   Students begin with five core courses:

   – Public Management
   – Quantitative Methods
   – Public Human Resources Development & Administration
   – Financial Management & Decision-Making
   – Policy Analysis

   The rest of the credits are comprised of electives as well as a final capstone project. In addition to the five years of work experience, prospective students must submit their undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement.

   Find Out More:
   Executive Master of Public Administration

    

3. University of Montana

   Degree: Master of Public Administration
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $10,638

   The MPA program at the University of Montana can take place online, in person, or in a hybrid model. When taken on a full-time basis, the program can take under two years. UM offers one formalized specialization option in Non-Profit Administration. However, students can also work with the program director to try to create their own unique area of specialization.

   Students will begin with six core courses in classes like Public Administration, HR Management, and Policy Analysis. The program has space for six elective courses, which can be used to form a specialization. The program culminates with a portfolio project and an exit interview.

   Those looking to apply at UM are required to submit: bachelor’s transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Public Administration

    

4. University of North Georgia

   Degree: Master of Public Administration
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $10,908

   The University of North Georgia offers their MPA degree as a completely online and asynchronous program. When taken full-time, the program can be completed in two years. However, most of their students enroll on a part-time basis and take about three and a half years to go through the program.

   The MPA is composed of 24 credits of core classes and 12 credits of electives. All electives go towards completing a specialization in Public Affairs. As part of the core requirements, all students must also complete a capstone seminar at the end of the program.

   Top students may be interested to learn that each year the MPA program selects one student to work as a graduate assistant. The student selected for this position will earn free tuition as well as a stipend.

   To learn more about UNG’s admissions process and requirements, interested students can check out their admissions portal here.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Public Administration

    

5. Columbia Southern University

   Degree: Master of Business Administration/Public Administration
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $12,564

   Columbia Southern University offers a couple of different online Master of Public Administration programs. Under the umbrella of Public Admin, they offer a general track, a Criminal Justice Administration Track, and an Emergency Services Management track. For students more interested in Public Administration from a business angle, CSU offers an MBA program with a Public Administration focus.

   Regardless of the track selected, all programs are 36 credit hours and have the same tuition rates. The first three tracks have core courses focused on general Public Administration classes, with specialization courses to follow. The MBA Public Administration track has core courses that focus on business practices, with elective courses focusing on Public Administration.

   To begin the application process for one of these tracks, check out CSU’s admissions portal here.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Public Administration

    

6. American Public University System

   Degree: Master of Public Administration
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $15,300

   American Public’s online Master’s degree in Public Administration is perfect for specialists actively working in the field of public management or service. After completing the program, graduates will know how to “tackle questions, break silos, creatively problem solve, and communicate solutions.”

   This 36-credit program is entirely online. With classes beginning every month, it’s easy to jump in on your schedule. This program has a 27-credit core with an additional 9 hours of electives. Students will choose a concentration to fill-out these elective credits. They may choose to specialize in:

   – Disaster Management
   – Environmental Policy
   – Human Resources
   – Security Management
   – Organizational Management
   – Health Policy, National Security
   – Coaching & Conflict Resolution
   – Public Policy

   Admission requirements here are very straightforward and require just an application, ID, and transcripts.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Public Administration

    

7. Colorado Christian University

   Degree: Master of Public Administration
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $16,290

   Colorado Christian offers an excellent MPA program no GRE as well. It’s designed for leaders who can positively transform their communities and who have a solid foundation in biblical principles. This is a fairly fast program. In fact, even a busy professional working full-time can complete the entire program in as little as fifteen months.

   This program does not have any areas of focus or electives, but rather is comprised of a straightforward progression of ten courses. The curriculum begins with the class Introduction to Public Administration and concludes with a public administration capstone project. In between, students will take courses like Leadership Theory & Practice, Public Personnel Management, and Leading Public Policy.

   Admission requirements for this MPA online program include:

   – An application
   – Undergraduate transcripts with a minimum GPA of 2.5
   – Successful completion of an undergraduate statistics course
   – A valid ID

   Find Out More:
   Master of Public Administration

    

8. Southern New Hampshire University

   Degree: MBA in Public Administration
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $19,110

   SNHU offers a Public Administration specialization within their greater MBA program. This makes it a great option for students who would like to earn their MBA but who would also like to apply it within a public administration leadership setting.

   The program opens with a core of 21 MBA courses like: Leading People & Organizations, Optimizing Brands, and Strategic Opportunity Management. The Public Administration specialization requires nine hours of elective credits.

   A nice perk of this program is that students will earn many embedded credentials within the actual course material. By the time they graduate, students will have earned a whopping 15 credentials, including:

   – AICPA Coaching
   – Time Management
   – Critical Thinking

   Overall, SNHU has an easy admission process that includes a free application and transcripts. However, students without a business background may be required to take two foundations courses before beginning the actual MBA program.

   Find Out More:
   MBA in Public Administration

    

9. Liberty University

   Degree: Master of Public Administration
   Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $20,340

   Throughout the MPA program online at Liberty, students will “study the principles and development of public administration as it relates to executive-level management and leadership.” Students can then tackle local, national, and international leadership while also learning these principles within a solid biblical framework.

   Liberty’s program is 100% online, and each course is 8 weeks long. Students must take 9 credit hours of general cognate courses and 21 credit hours of MPA core courses. In a unique twist, to finish the program, students can either take two elective courses or create their own final thesis project with a proposal and defense.

   The admissions process at Liberty is another straightforward one. Students are simply required to submit an application and transcripts.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Public Administration

    

10. Aurora University

    Degree: Master of Public Administration
    Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $20,880

    The MPA program at Aurora prides itself on being a program built around real-world application. Various community leaders and people actively involved in public service helped to form this curriculum so that all graduates would be well-prepared to become leaders in their own communities.

    The curriculum opens with 21 hours of core courses like Economics, Public Policy & Analysis, and Public Finance & Budgeting. Students then take 15 hours worth of elective credits. They can use these credits to pursue a specialization in leadership, or even take some MBA courses. Each course lasts 8 weeks, and the entire degree takes about 1-2 years.

    For admission, applicants must submit: an application, undergraduate transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0, a resume, and a personal statement.

    Find Out More:
    Master of Public Administration

     

11. Drake University

    Degree: Master of Public Administration
    Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $21,420

    Drake offers a fully online Public Administration Master’s degree. This program “emphasizes courses in human resources, public policy, and more—empowering students to make an immediate impact on the communities in which they serve.”

    The MPA program itself is only 30 credits, taken in 6-week asynchronous courses. However, Pre-Professional and Early Career Students without a lot of professional experience will have to take an additional 6 hours of courses.

    The program sequence includes 21 credits of core courses in classes such as:

    – Foundations of Public Service
    – Human Resource Development
    – Public Organizations & Leadership

    Students will choose a focus in either Healthcare Management or Public & Nonprofit Management to fill out the reminder of the credit requirements. In regard to admission, prospective students must submit: an application, undergrad transcripts, a resume, a statement of purpose, and contact information for two professional references.

    Find Out More:
    Master of Public Administration

     

12. Grand Canyon University

    Degree: Master of Public Administration
    Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $21,850

    Grand Canyon University’s MPA program is a 38-credit, completely online program that offers three different emphasis options. All tracks are rooted in a robust Christian education foundation and prepare students for a career of service in private or public sectors.

    Unlike some other options on our list, the actual core courses within this program change quite a bit depending on which path students choose. The three available MPA tracks are:

    – Government and policy
    – Health care management
    – Nonprofit management

    Each track is composed of a unique pre-set curriculum of ten classes.

    GCU is another school that offers a quick and easy application process. Simply fill out an application and submit undergraduate transcripts that show a GPA of 2.8 or above.

    Find Out More:
    Master of Public Administration / Government & Policy
    MPA in Non-Profit Management
    MPA in Health Care Management

     

13. Purdue Global

    Degree: Master of Public Administration
    Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $23,100

    Students can earn their Public Administration master degree online at one of the most prestigious public schools in the nation through Purdue Global. While the 55-credit requirement may cause some initial pause, the actual number of classes and completion time are comparable to other programs. The program consists of 11 courses that are all worth 5 credits each. Average completion time for the program is only 1.5 years.

    The curriculum consists of nine core courses in classes like:

    – Public Administration & Management
    – Leadership in the Public Sector
    – Public Policy Analysis

    Students can choose one additional elective course before finishing the program with a capstone project. This project requires the student to conduct and present their own research in the field of public administration.

    For admission, prospective students must submit an application and undergrad transcripts with a minimum GPA of 2.5. While not technically required, it is also recommended for students to have completed courses in American government, statistics, and public policy.

    Find Out More:
    Master of Public Administration

     

14. Anna Maria College

    Degree: Master of Public Administration
    Tuition (in-state & out-of-state): $25,893

    Anna Maria’s MPA program is fully online and offers some pretty unique focus options. In addition to their general track, students can also choose to specialize in:

    – Criminal Justice
    – Emergency Management
    – Fire & Emergency Services
    – Homeland Security

    Students begin their program with 24 credits of core courses in classes like: Executive Leadership, Ethics in Public Service, and Public Policy. Depending on the specialization chosen, students will also take between 9-12 credits of electives within their curriculum.

    Anna Maria offers a huge perk to those who have already been working in the public administration field. Students with at least four years of experience may be able to waive two courses in the MPA program—saving a good chunk of time and up to $4,315!

    Admission requirements for this school include: undergrad transcripts with a minimum GPA of 2.7, a resume, two references, and a personal statement.

    Find Out More:
    Master of Public Administration

     

15. Ohio University

    Degree: Master of Public Administration
    Tuition in-state & out-of-state): $29,628

    Ohio University’s MPA program is 36 credits, 100% online, asynchronous, and takes as little as two years. The program offers 18 credits of core courses like Public Budgeting, Research Methods in Leadership, and Strategic Leadership.

    Unique to Ohio University, the program includes a whopping 18 elective credits. With four different areas of focus options that are each comprised of 9 credits, this gives students the chance to earn two different specializations within their degree program. Students can choose to specialize in:

    – Public Leadership & Management
    – Nonprofit Leadership & Management
    – State & Local Government Management
    – Crisis & Emergency Management

    The admission process includes the following requirements: an application, undergrad transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume.

    Find Out More:
    Master of Public Administration

     

Steps to Apply for Online MPA Programs no GRE

The steps to apply for online MPA programs are fairly clear-cut. You’ll start the process by filling out an online application and requesting your transcripts from your undergraduate degree. Not to mention any other graduate-level transcripts.

From there, you can work on any special requirements, such as securing references, writing a statement of purpose, and submitting a resume. For the best recommendations, make sure you talk to those references long before any admissions deadlines!

We also highly recommend contacting someone in the school’s admissions department. While many online programs allow you to apply independently, it’s helpful to communicate with an actual person and to have a resource to help you through the process and to answer any questions.

Do MPA Programs That Don’t Require GRE Affect My Career?

Getting your master’s degree in Public Administration online can have a very positive effect on your career. MPA graduates will discover open doors to a wealth of leadership careers in public, private, and non-profit sectors. Most of these positions will come with a title like Director, Analyst, or Manager.

While the potential options are vast and wide-ranging, here are some popular career paths and income potentials for public administration professionals:

• Urban Planner: $79,540/year median salary
• Budget Analyst: $82,260/year median salary
• Community Service Manager: $74,240/year median salary
• Economist: $113,940/year median salary
• Emergency Management Director: $79,180/year median salary
• Human Resource Manager: $130,100/year median salary

Find Your Masters in Public Administration Online with GetEducated

Former U.S. State Representative Lee H. Hamilton once said, “I can assure you, public service is a stimulating, proud, and lively enterprise. It is not just a way of life, it is a way to live fully.”

For those who connect with these sentiments and are interested in furthering their education, an online MPA no GRE program is a wonderful fit. There are so many options that can meet a wide variety of needs. You’re sure to find a program that’s just for you.

We know it can feel overwhelming to start a graduate program, but within one or two short years, you will be able to add those MPA initials to the end of your name and step into a new and exciting phase of your career. And then it will all be worth it!

If you want to learn more about this and other online degrees, check out GetEducated to read all about the amazing online options that are available for you!