Best Online MPA Programs

Pursuing a master of public administration (MPA) degree can launch your career in public administration and prepare you for leadership or administrative roles. It can also give you the tools and understanding to positively impact society.

If you’re passionate about social services, nonprofit administration, urban development, healthcare, or government — an MPA can be a career launchpad.

Our methodology uses a ranking system with multiple data indicators, like affordability and academic quality, to help you select the best public administration degrees objectively.

Note: The school and/or program descriptions below were drafted using natural language generation technology and have been edited for clarity and accuracy. The data is primarily sourced from government databases such as IPEDS – see sources section for more details.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all public policy and social services professionals earned a median salary of $50,000.

With an MPA degree, you could qualify for advanced administrative and management careers. Median salaries for these careers range from $74,000 to $126,230, depending on the career path and your level of experience.

An online MPA program builds specialized knowledge in the operation and management of public institutions and organizations. You’ll study topics like organizational behavior, public policy, and finance.

Here are some sample classes you might take in an online MPA program.

In an introductory public administration class, you’ll be introduced to the fundamental practices and theories. You’ll receive a broad overview of the field, including its relationship to legal and political structures.

This class also covers frameworks for understanding public institutes and their relationships with communities and individuals.

Public administration centers on the operation of large, complex institutions. This class examines the organizational dynamics at play in various forms of bureaucracy.

You’ll explore topics like organizational behavior styles and managerial processes. The class may also highlight the factors that affect interpersonal and group behavior.

This class focuses on the role of finance and budgeting in public organizations. You’ll explore financial practices in government agencies and nonprofits, including how budgets determine organizational priorities and affect public policy.

Other common class topics may include tax administration, cost-benefit analysis, and debt financing.

Online MPA programs usually offer specializations to help you build advanced knowledge in a specific area of public administration.

Also known as concentrations or tracks, specializations help you customize your education to fit your professional interests and career goals.

This concentration explores the history and development of the nonprofit sector and its economic, social, and legislative impact. Other common course topics include philanthropy, fundraising, and the effects of public policy on nonprofit organizations.

Candidates specializing in public policy focus on the role of policy and legislation in shaping public life and institutions. Classes may focus on topics like the legislative process, administrative law, and environmental and climate policy.

This specialization highlights the application of public policy to global and public healthcare systems, working toward more equitable outcomes for global populations. Common classes may include global health initiatives, demography and global health, and grant writing and fundraising.