30 Most Affordable Master’s in Public Administration Online at Private Colleges in 2021

Bellevue University's public administration master's degree online is an accelerated MPA program designed for working professionals. The program can be completed entirely online and consists of 36 credits of classes that serve as preparation for becoming leaders in the public sector. Some of the required courses include communications in the public sector, contemporary issues in public administration, finance for the public administrator, foundation in the public administration, organizational modeling and decision theories, public administration leadership, and strategic planning and policy development. Bellevue is an accredited institution that is also ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, U.S. News recognizes Bellevue as among the top regional universities in the Midwest.

Anna Maria College offers an accredited public administration master's online degree designed for professionals who want to earn credentials for public service positions. The program does not require the GRE for admission and can be completed entirely online. Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, an undergraduate GPA of 2.7 or better, two references, and a personal statement. The program has five specialization options that are offered for students who want to tailor their degree toward an area of interest, such as criminal justice, emergency management, fire and emergency services, homeland security, and a general track. Anna Maria College is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the North. The program and school are accredited through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE).

Grand Canyon University's online public administration programs include the master's in public administration with an emphasis in government and policy. The program consists of 38 credits with classes that run eight weeks long and can be completed entirely online and in just 20 months. Courses include economics for public administrators, intergovernmental relations, law and administrative process, leadership and organizations, policy studies, public budgeting and financial management, and public governance. Grand Canyon requires applicants hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a satisfactory undergraduate GPA. GCU is ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as among the top 300 national universities in the country.

National University offers an accredited public administration online master's program designed for students who want to pursue a career in government management at the federal, local, or state level. The online MPA is open to students with a bachelor's in public administration, criminal justice, political science, or closely related area of study. All classes are delivered online and include ethics, finance management and grant administration, foundations of public administration, public personnel policy, and urban planning and redevelopment. There are two specializations offered so that students may tailor their degree toward an area of interest. These specializations include human resource management and organizational leadership. National University is recognized with U.S. News and World Report among the top regional universities in the West.

The online master's in public administration degree from Ashford University is an IACBE-accredited MPA program designed for working and busy students. Courses run six weeks in length, and students take one class at a time that focuses on areas of business, organizational management, and public administration. Courses are taught by university professors and include studies in foundations of public administration, government budgeting, public financial management, public policy development, and urban planning and redevelopment. A total of 36 credits are required to satisfy course requirements. Admission requirements include an accredited bachelor's degree with a minimum 2.0 undergraduate GPA. No test scores are needed to apply to the program. Ashford is accredited and recognized by U.S. News and World Report among the unranked regional universities in the West.

The public administration master's degree online program at Brandman University is designed to prepare students for careers in public policy, and government and nonprofit organizations. The program may be completed entirely online or follow a hybrid format, which includes online classes that are mixed with on-campus visitation requirements. Successful applicants must have completed the online application, hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and meet GPA requirements. The program offers an organizational leadership emphasis that allows students to hone their degree toward this specialized area of interest. Some of the online classes seen in this program include data analysis for decision making, labor relations and collective bargaining, and public finance. Brandman is an accredited institution that has also been recognized by U.S. News and World Report among the best regional universities in the West.

The accredited public administration master's degree online program at Wayland Baptist University emphasizes practical expertise regarding issues common to government agencies and community nonprofits. The flexibility of online classes taught by university professors makes it an ideal program for working students. Also, the program allows military personnel who want to learn advanced public administration skills to advance in rank or transfer seamlessly to civilian life. The school and program are accredited, and Wayland is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the most recent edition of Best Colleges ranks Wayland Baptist among the top 126 best regional universities in the West.

Hodges University's online public administration programs in the online MPA, a general public-sector degree intended to prepare students for roles in government and nonprofit agencies. Successful program applicants hold a bachelor's from an accredited college or university and have completed all components of the online application. All courses are delivered online to provide convenience to working students. These courses are taught by Hodges University professors who offer experience in the industry. Courses include economic development, executive leadership and decision making, labor relations and negotiations, management of American and state government, and professional ethics – social responsibility and diversity. Hodges is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report among some of the best regional universities in the South.

One of the more affordable public administration master's online programs on our list is the Master of Public Administration from Lynn University. This fast-paced online MPA is conveniently structured for working students and designed to complete in a little over one year. The program can be completed entirely online by taking flexible classes taught by experienced Lynn professors. These classes include administrative and regulatory law, applied research methods, and management and administration. Students also take a series of courses that focus on economics development, human resources management, public budgeting and finance, and public personnel. To be admitted to the program, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Major publications like U.S. News and World Report rank Lynn as the 95th best regional university in the South.

Regent University's public administration online master's program is designed for students wanting to pursue careers in public service and nonprofit organizations. The degree may be completed entirely online and mirrors the on-campus program offered through the Robertson School of Government. A total of 37 credits must be completed, including classes like Christian foundations of government, information research and resources, organizational theory, principles of economics, public budgeting and taxation policy, and research methods. The program takes approximately two years to complete when enrolled full-time or three to four years to complete when enrolled on a part-time basis. Regent is an accredited institution that has also received recognition from U.S. News and World Report as a top national university.

Walden University's public administration master's degree online program is designed to help students develop the advanced competencies that are needed to become a successful public administration leader. Classes are delivered entirely online and taught by university professors. A general program track provides students with a broad-based knowledge of public administration, while several specializations are also available so that the degree can be tailored to fit career goals. Some of the specializations include criminal justice, emergency management, global leadership, health policy, law and public policy, and policy analysis. Walden is recognized by major publications like U.S. News and World Report as an unranked national university, and several of its graduate programs, including public affairs and administration, have earned rankings.

South University's online public administration programs include the online MPA, which is designed to prepare students for leadership roles within organizational and government entities. Courses are delivered online and taught by South University professors. The program consists of 48 credits and includes classes like foundations of public administration, grant writing and contract administration, management of non-profit organizations, program evaluation of public and non-profit organizations, and strategic human resources management. South is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the South, according to the latest edition of Best Colleges. South University is accredited and listed among the most affordable schools for an online MPA.

The public administration master's degree online program at Marist College is designed to prepare students to become leaders of public and nonprofit organizations. The program can be completed 100% online or as a hybrid degree. There are also three concentrations designed for students to tailor their degree toward areas of interest or to meet specific career goals. These concentrations include ethical leadership, healthcare administration, and public management. Some of the courses offered include human resource management in public organizations, politics and policy, and statistics for public managers. Admission to the program requires a completed application, official GRE scores taken within five years, and official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended. Marist is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 9th best regional university in the North and the 32nd best value school.

The public administration online master's from Strayer University is designed with the working professional in mind. Enrolled MPA students take 12 courses, entirely online, and gain skills necessary to work in various fields of public administration. All classes are taught by Strayer instructors and conveniently scheduled to accommodate the needs of working students. Some of the courses include constitutional and administrative law, introduction to public policy analysis, leadership and conflict resolution, policy analysis and program evaluation, and public personnel management. Strayer and its graduate programs are accredited, and the university has received recognition from major publications like U.S. News and World Report as an unranked regional university in the North.

Capella University's public administration master's online degree is a customizable program with two specialized concentrations that allow students to tailor their degree toward areas of interest. The online MPA offers a concentration in human resource management or project management and consists of seven core courses, four electives, and one integrative project. The courses are taught by university professors and include ethics in the public sector, public sector budgeting, public sector policy analysis, and theories and concept in public administration. To be admitted to the program, students must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and have earned an undergraduate GPA of 2.3 or higher. There is no GRE or GMAT required for admission. Capella is recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an unranked national university.

Franklin University's public administration online master's program is a customizable degree designed to prepare professionals to take on public administration leadership jobs. The online MPA requires no GMAT or GRE for admission and can be completed in just 17 months. All classes are delivered online and include financial management and budgeting, foundations of government and nonprofit administration, leading government and nonprofit organizations, managing personnel and information systems, and methodological reasoning and quantitative analysis. Applicants for admission must have an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or better. Franklin is accredited and recognized by U.S. News and World Report as an unranked business school.

Barry University's online public administration programs include the 36-credit hour online MPA. This completely online graduate degree is designed for adult learners with a focus on the administration of public, not-for-profit, and other organizations that serve public purpose. All courses are delivered online and include applied research methodologies, public law and administration, public planning and change management, public program analysis and evaluation, and values and ethics in public administration. Successful applicants for admission hold a bachelor's from a regionally accredited institution, a current resume, two verifiable letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Barry is an accredited and ranked university. In fact, U.S. News and World Report ranks the school as a top national university.

Gannon University offers a public administration master's online program that is conveniently designed to fit the needs of working professionals. The MPA curriculum provides an interdisciplinary approach that places a strong emphasis on core business skills and leadership. Two areas of specialization are offered so that students may tailor their degree toward career goals and personal interests. These specializations include administrative and organizational leadership. There is also a customized track that allows students to choose electives from the specializations and create a degree that suits professional goals. Gannon is accredited and ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the most recent edition of Best Colleges ranks the school as the 48th best regional university in the North and 10th best value institution.

Villanova University's online master's in public administration is offered 100% online and with two optional specializations and three graduate certificates. Applicants must possess a bachelor's from an accredited university and have at least three years of relevant work experience. The program is designed to provide working professionals advanced skills in public administration and management. The two specialization options include city management and nonprofit management. Some of the courses offered, regardless of the specialization selected, include analysis and research, financial management, organization theory, public administration theory, and public personnel management. Villanova is NASPAA-accredited and ranked with major publications like U.S. News and World Report as the 46th best national university and 48th best value school in the country.