50 Most Affordable Public Administration School Programs

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Public administration degree programs are more popular now than ever. Many sectors of the public administration sphere are now in high demand. Careers in regional or urban planning, for instance, are seeing their ranks swell at incredible rates. Meanwhile, growing cities will surely need more and more public administration professionals to meet the needs of their urban areas.

Thus, we have created this page to help students make their best decision for an online public administration degree program. Below, students will find a discussion of bachelor’s and master's level degree programs. The page also discusses possible careers in public administration and other options for degree holders.

We take special care to discuss the economic aspects of a public administration degree. Not only do we note projected average or median salaries, but we discuss the job market. After all, the term public administration is an umbrella that holds many unique and fulfilling career paths. We hope you will find this information helpful along your educational and professional journey.

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Top 50 Affordable Public Administration Colleges and Universities

1

St. Petersburg College

Score: 100

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,682
- Out-of-State: $9,286
Net Price: $2,132
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 38%
Total Enrollment: 23,501
Undergrad Students: 23,501
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $63,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

2

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Score: 89.92

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,464
- Out-of-State: $15,414
Net Price: $4,991
Acceptance Rate: 50%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 19,854
Undergrad Students: 15,896
Graduate Students: 3,958
Grads Salary: $81,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

3

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Score: 89.89

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,470
- Out-of-State: $15,420
Net Price: $5,001
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 13,921
Undergrad Students: 12,061
Graduate Students: 1,860
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

4

Indian River State College

Score: 89.82

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $2,764
- Out-of-State: $10,201
Net Price: $5,019
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 58%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 14,862
Undergrad Students: 14,862
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 27:1

5

California State University-Dominguez Hills

Score: 89.65

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,064
- Out-of-State: $18,944
Net Price: $5,068
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 16,426
Undergrad Students: 13,969
Graduate Students: 2,457
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

6

Fayetteville State University

Score: 85.11

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,969
- Out-of-State: $7,969
Net Price: $6,355
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 6,787
Undergrad Students: 5,748
Graduate Students: 1,039
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

7

Indiana University-Kokomo

Score: 84.08

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,179
- Out-of-State: $22,043
Net Price: $6,648
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 64%

Graduation Rate: 42%
Total Enrollment: 2,846
Undergrad Students: 2,669
Graduate Students: 177
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

8

California State University-Fresno

Score: 81.05

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,980
- Out-of-State: $18,860
Net Price: $7,507
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 56%
Total Enrollment: 23,999
Undergrad Students: 21,354
Graduate Students: 2,645
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 21:1

9

California State University-Bakersfield

Score: 81

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,696
- Out-of-State: $19,576
Net Price: $7,521
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 73%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 9,613
Undergrad Students: 8,188
Graduate Students: 1,425
Grads Salary: $78,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

10

Brigham Young University-Idaho

Score: 79.67

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,656
- Out-of-State: $4,656
Net Price: $7,899
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 68%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 43,023
Undergrad Students: 43,023
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

11

California State University-Fullerton

Score: 79.58

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,073
- Out-of-State: $18,953
Net Price: $7,925
Acceptance Rate: 67%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 40,386
Undergrad Students: 35,432
Graduate Students: 4,954
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

12

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Score: 78.95

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,859
- Out-of-State: $19,939
Net Price: $8,105
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 31,559
Undergrad Students: 26,434
Graduate Students: 5,125
Grads Salary: $66,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

13

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Score: 78.58

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,571
- Out-of-State: $7,571
Net Price: $8,208
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 7,666
Undergrad Students: 5,643
Graduate Students: 2,023
Grads Salary: $56,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

14

CUNY Medgar Evers College

Score: 78.43

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,352
- Out-of-State: $15,302
Net Price: $8,250
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 40%

Graduation Rate: 24%
Total Enrollment: 3,640
Undergrad Students: 3,640
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

15

University of Hawaii-West Oahu

Score: 75.43

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,584
- Out-of-State: $20,544
Net Price: $9,103
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 33%
Total Enrollment: 2,913
Undergrad Students: 2,913
Graduate Students: N/A
Grads Salary: $64,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

16

Florida Atlantic University

Score: 73.28

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $4,879
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $9,711
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 29,592
Undergrad Students: 24,191
Graduate Students: 5,401
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

17

Florida International University

Score: 72.68

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,565
- Out-of-State: $18,963
Net Price: $9,881
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

18

University of Maine at Augusta

Score: 72.36

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,618
- Out-of-State: $21,548
Net Price: $9,973
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 23%
Total Enrollment: 4,446
Undergrad Students: 4,384
Graduate Students: 62
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

19

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Score: 70.96

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,904
- Out-of-State: $23,212
Net Price: $10,370
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 66%

Graduation Rate: 40%
Total Enrollment: 5,848
Undergrad Students: 4,640
Graduate Students: 1,208
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

20

University of Illinois Chicago

Score: 70.91

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,338
- Out-of-State: $29,360
Net Price: $10,384
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 33,747
Undergrad Students: 21,807
Graduate Students: 11,940
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

21

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Score: 70.1

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,989
- Out-of-State: $39,330
Net Price: $10,614
Acceptance Rate: 17%
Retention Rate: 96%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 31,705
Undergrad Students: 20,029
Graduate Students: 11,676
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

22

Kean University

Score: 69.63

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,426
- Out-of-State: $21,076
Net Price: $10,747
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 12,884
Undergrad Students: 10,845
Graduate Students: 2,039
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

23

Eastern Kentucky University

Score: 69.42

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,130
- Out-of-State: $20,820
Net Price: $10,806
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 14,324
Undergrad Students: 12,072
Graduate Students: 2,252
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

24

University of Michigan-Flint

Score: 69.3

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,014
- Out-of-State: $31,274
Net Price: $10,840
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 5,985
Undergrad Students: 4,609
Graduate Students: 1,376
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

25

University of South Florida

Score: 68.73

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,410
- Out-of-State: $17,324
Net Price: $11,004
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 49,600
Undergrad Students: 38,047
Graduate Students: 11,553
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

26

Rhode Island College

Score: 68.69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,986
- Out-of-State: $26,519
Net Price: $11,014
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 71%

Graduation Rate: 44%
Total Enrollment: 5,787
Undergrad Students: 4,719
Graduate Students: 1,068
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

27

Murray State University

Score: 68.59

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,708
- Out-of-State: $19,452
Net Price: $11,042
Acceptance Rate: 84%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 58%
Total Enrollment: 9,479
Undergrad Students: 7,679
Graduate Students: 1,800
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

28

Lincoln University Missouri

Score: 68.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,290
- Out-of-State: $16,882
Net Price: $11,199
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 49%

Graduation Rate: 29%
Total Enrollment: 1,833
Undergrad Students: 1,730
Graduate Students: 103
Grads Salary: $62,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

29

University of Wisconsin-Green Bay

Score: 67.45

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,342
- Out-of-State: $16,929
Net Price: $11,365
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 52%
Total Enrollment: 9,599
Undergrad Students: 9,146
Graduate Students: 453
Grads Salary: $69,000
Student-to-faculty: 23:1

30

Kentucky State University

Score: 67.07

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,214
- Out-of-State: $13,260
Net Price: $11,473
Acceptance Rate: 91%
Retention Rate: 53%

Graduation Rate: 32%
Total Enrollment: 1,726
Undergrad Students: 1,610
Graduate Students: 116
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

31

West Virginia State University

Score: 66.33

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,049
- Out-of-State: $14,623
Net Price: $11,684
Acceptance Rate: 96%
Retention Rate: 61%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 3,785
Undergrad Students: 3,634
Graduate Students: 151
Grads Salary: $67,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

32

University of Illinois Springfield

Score: 66.16

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,252
- Out-of-State: $22,017
Net Price: $11,733
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 4,198
Undergrad Students: 2,393
Graduate Students: 1,805
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

33

Texas Southern University

Score: 65.83

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,173
- Out-of-State: $21,773
Net Price: $11,826
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 55%

Graduation Rate: 26%
Total Enrollment: 8,632
Undergrad Students: 6,830
Graduate Students: 1,802
Grads Salary: $72,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

34

Delaware State University

Score: 65.62

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,314
- Out-of-State: $20,250
Net Price: $11,886
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 45%
Total Enrollment: 5,826
Undergrad Students: 4,996
Graduate Students: 830
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

35

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Score: 65.39

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,254
- Out-of-State: $22,220
Net Price: $11,951
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Retention Rate: 63%

Graduation Rate: 36%
Total Enrollment: 9,069
Undergrad Students: 8,390
Graduate Students: 679
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

36

Tennessee State University

Score: 65.26

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,568
- Out-of-State: $22,284
Net Price: $11,986
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 62%

Graduation Rate: 32%
Total Enrollment: 9,218
Undergrad Students: 7,678
Graduate Students: 1,540
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

37

Saint Peter's University

Score: 65.23

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $41,054
- Out-of-State: $41,054
Net Price: $11,996
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 60%
Total Enrollment: 3,430
Undergrad Students: 2,071
Graduate Students: 1,359
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

38

Arkansas State University

Score: 65.18

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,754
- Out-of-State: $13,826
Net Price: $12,011
Acceptance Rate: 70%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 53%
Total Enrollment: 13,190
Undergrad Students: 8,201
Graduate Students: 4,989
Grads Salary: $65,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

39

Talladega College

Score: 63.95

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,650
- Out-of-State: $15,650
Net Price: $12,360
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 35%
Total Enrollment: 903
Undergrad Students: 835
Graduate Students: 68
Grads Salary: $90,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

40

Saginaw Valley State University

Score: 63.69

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,240
- Out-of-State: $28,752
Net Price: $12,432
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 50%
Total Enrollment: 7,147
Undergrad Students: 6,468
Graduate Students: 679
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

41

Washburn University

Score: 63.55

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,578
- Out-of-State: $20,582
Net Price: $12,473
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 69%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 5,460
Undergrad Students: 4,733
Graduate Students: 727
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

42

Peru State College

Score: 63.04

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,280
- Out-of-State: $8,280
Net Price: $12,618
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 58%

Graduation Rate: 34%
Total Enrollment: 1,799
Undergrad Students: 1,569
Graduate Students: 230
Grads Salary: $68,000
Student-to-faculty: 20:1

43

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Score: 62.87

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,991
- Out-of-State: $21,965
Net Price: $12,664
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Retention Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 34,393
Undergrad Students: 29,686
Graduate Students: 4,707
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

44

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Score: 61.79

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,370
- Out-of-State: $22,358
Net Price: $12,973
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 74%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 15,058
Undergrad Students: 12,026
Graduate Students: 3,032
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 15:1

45

San Diego State University

Score: 61.63

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,290
- Out-of-State: $20,170
Net Price: $13,017
Acceptance Rate: 39%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 78%
Total Enrollment: 37,402
Undergrad Students: 32,194
Graduate Students: 5,208
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 25:1

46

University of Central Florida

Score: 61.31

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,368
- Out-of-State: $22,467
Net Price: $13,108
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 68,346
Undergrad Students: 58,662
Graduate Students: 9,684
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 29:1

47

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse

Score: 61.23

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,651
- Out-of-State: $18,691
Net Price: $13,130
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 70%
Total Enrollment: 10,274
Undergrad Students: 9,347
Graduate Students: 927
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

48

University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Score: 61.13

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,142
- Out-of-State: $26,098
Net Price: $13,159
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 47%
Total Enrollment: 30,660
Undergrad Students: 25,365
Graduate Students: 5,295
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

49

Troy University

Score: 61.03

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,792
- Out-of-State: $19,584
Net Price: $13,187
Acceptance Rate: 95%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 46%
Total Enrollment: 14,156
Undergrad Students: 10,768
Graduate Students: 3,388
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

50

University of Missouri-St. Louis

Score: 60.95

Undergraduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,440
- Out-of-State: $33,432
Net Price: $13,211
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Retention Rate: 75%

Graduation Rate: 52%
Total Enrollment: 15,181
Undergrad Students: 12,415
Graduate Students: 2,766
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 13:1

Why a Degree from an Affordable Public Administration School?

Students who choose an online degree in public administration are making a decision that will open up many opportunities. While many career-focused degrees are rather limited in terms of post-graduate opportunities, a degree in public administration can land students a job with local, state, or federal government. Other students might enter into a job with a lobbying firm in DC or their state capitol. Public administration degree holders can also gain a bit of experience and apply their degrees to the world of business.

In order to make sure that they are able to have the sort of life they want, public administration students should look for the most affordable public administration school possible. That does not mean that they should seek the cheapest option. Rather, students are encouraged to find a public administration school that offers high academic quality with a reasonable price tag. When students hit that sweet spot, they reap a terrific return on their educational investment and gain even more value from their education.

Find Your Online Public Administration Program

One way to contain education costs is to start out with an associate degree. While it may be difficult to find a two-year degree in public administration, there are options. For instance, many community colleges offer degrees in business administration, accounting, and management, all of which will serve as great compliments to a four-year bachelor’s degree in public administration. Since community colleges are typically far more affordable than a state university, students can dramatically reduce the total cost of an undergraduate degree, and their general education courses completed in their associate degree can lessen the amount of time they must spend in a four-year institution.

Choosing an Affordable Public Administration College

Choosing the best and most affordable public administration college or university is not an easy task. There are innumerable personal and pragmatic considerations in play and it's important to consider them all. Students should list and evaluate all of these considerations prior to enrolling in a four-year undergraduate program. Some of the pragmatic things to consider include the price of tuition, location, academic value, and long-term return on investment.

When it comes to the price of tuition, and college in general, there are two numbers to consider. The first is the gross price. That figure is bound to be rather large, but it should be considered the baseline cost and it can be shifted lower in several ways. Now, students should look at the average net price. This number factors in various forms of financial aid, such as grants and scholarships. Ideally, every student will pay the average net tuition price, if not less. However, with that gross price in mind there will be less shock if available financial aid does not pay off as desired.

As for location, this is naturally a huge concern. Even younger students may not want to travel too far for their degree. However, this factor can be ameliorated if the public administration degree program is available online. If there are core courses that are particularly difficult, such as mathematics, a local community college may be able to provide the in-person instruction students need.

When it comes to academic quality and value, that's where this website comes in handy. We have assessed the academic statistics for many public administration degree programs. We look at data that reflects retention, graduation rates, and more. Once armed with our assessment, students will have a sound idea of what a program has to offer.

As for return on investment, this is a difficult metric to pin down. However, we look at the reported salary statistics from previous public administration students. As for the up-front investment, students can weigh their educational costs versus the long-term earnings estimates. That up-front cost can be eased by taking some classes online or through a community college.

Online Options

Online education is more prevalent now than ever. If the COVID pandemic did nothing else, it showed that students can learn online. However, certain degrees are better suited to the online format than others. In fact, an online public administration degree is nearly perfect for online students.

In these degrees, as well as many others in a liberal arts curriculum, all of the material can be digested by reading and then discussing the concepts. While some bemoan the lack of personal attention, others contend that online courses allow easier access to instructors. This is because a student can take time to formulate their questions and then send them to their instructor in an email. In fact, those students who used to sit in the back and not participate now are all included in the discussions. Thus, when students engage with their professors and other instructors, they could receive a better, more interactive education than those in large lecture halls.

On the other hand, it may be more difficult to complete courses that require hands-on work, such as laboratory sciences. However, academic departments seem to have found reasonable substitutes for the beakers and Bunsen burners. Thus, an undergraduate student may complete a full, well-rounded education without leaving their laptop.

Finally, students who enroll in online public administration degree programs have the added benefit of flexibility. They may find it easier to pursue part-time or full-time jobs, and they can also find internship programs that don't cut into class time. Since their courses are as close as their laptop and a Wi-Fi connection, students can even travel to other towns to work in government offices.

Are Public Administration Programs in High Demand?

A degree in public administration can be applied to many different career paths. Students can choose a degree program that best suits their long-term career goals. Some may have their sights set on urban and regional planning, for instance, while others may wish to focus on community service, emergency response, or budget analysis.

Urban and regional planners are in a popular field these days. That career typically requires a master's degree but can provide nearly endless rewards. This field is growing by leaps and bounds, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They report a growth rate of 11% through 2029. That growth is characterized as much faster than average. The median salary for this profession is listed as over $75,000 per year.

Community service managers likewise are seeing a groundswell of demand for their work. The BLS reports their median salary at above $69,000 and their projected growth is 17%. While the typical education required for entry to the profession is reportedly a bachelor’s degree, those with a master's degree in public administration should fare even better.

Though we might wish their jobs weren't as vital as they are, emergency management professionals are commanding median salaries that exceed $76,000. Emergency professionals can also start their careers with a bachelor’s degree in public administration, but their field is expanding at a slightly slower rate compared to community service management.

Lastly, budget analysts are shown to command some of the highest salaries for public administration degree holders. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that their median salaries are over $78,000 and that the typical educational requirement is a bachelor’s degree. Their growth rate is slow, as BLS data shows a 3% rate of increase. However, students with a background in finance and accounting can find work under many different job descriptions.

What Can You Do with a Degree in Public Administration?

A degree in public administration can prepare a student for a wide range of professional career paths. The most obvious choice for these students is to seek employment in a state, local, or federal governmental agency. They might also seek to apply their skills and knowledge to working for an elected official as an expert in government administration. However, the degree can also help students find work in non-profit organizations. For instance, those who focus on emergency management might look for work with the Red Cross or other charitable organizations that help with disaster management and cleanup. The opportunities don't end there, however.

Since the degree focuses on management, students might look for a position in a private sector business. A public administration student who focused on emergency management might look to work for a local health system so that the hospital and EMS teams are prepared for the worst. Community service management students may also find that their resumes attract interviews in the healthcare sector.

Academic work in budgetary analysis is also helpful for all private enterprises, as is a focus on public policy. Those who have skills in finance and accounting are bound to have a wide range of potential job opportunities. After all, every sort of business needs finance professionals who can assess their business practices from a purely financial standpoint. Government and non-profit organizations will also have a great demand for financial experts. Students who wish to work on budget concerns should be sure to pursue accounting as a minor, if not a double major.

For those who focus on public policy, private enterprise needs these professionals to help with government regulatory agencies. A public administration degree may also be helpful for companies that make their profits through government contracting. They can act as a liaison between the government and the company, ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship for a very long time.

Public Administration Graduates Earn More After College

Every student is interested to know how much their degree might be worth in the marketplace. Those who are working towards bachelor’s degrees in public administration have many options upon graduation but Payscale.com reports their average earnings at over $66,000. At the lower end are administrative assistants who are reported to earn an average of $40,000 per year. At the upper end are chief operating officers who earn over $130k/year.

Professionals who gain a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree tend to focus on governmental or non-profit jobs. Thus, they are reported to earn slightly less than those with bachelor’s degrees who enter the private sector. These ideals-driven workers average over $64,000 with the top earners holding director or project manager positions for non-profits. Directors earn an average of $70,000.

These are not the only possible outcomes for a student with a degree in public administration, such as when some choose to take their administrative and managerial skills into the private sector. They may also decide to forgo an MPA altogether and instead choose a master of business administration. This degree option can open more opportunities because this degree is highly esteemed in the business community. Students may even opt for an MBA with a concentration in public administration, provided their program offers this option. Graduates from MBA programs are reported to earn over $90,000. With a concentration in public administration, MBA degree holders might seek work for a government contractor, if not somewhere in the upper levels of the federal government.

FAQs

What are the requirements for a degree in public administration?
To gain admission to a public administration degree program, students may need to have taken one or more introductory courses in public administration, management, or political science. Each program will have its own requirements, however, and those in smaller private colleges may not need to apply to their major degree program.
How much money can you make with a bachelor’s or master's degree in public administration?
This is a tricky question, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows public administration professionals earning median salaries that start around $69,000 for community service management. Those who work in regional and urban planning hold master's degrees and earn a median salary of over $75,000, and budgetary experts are reported to earn median salaries that exceed $78,000. These numbers tend to go up for those who add a graduate degree to their resume or who earn other special credentials.
How long does it take to get a degree in public administration?
Most undergraduate public administration degree programs are designed to graduate students in 4 years. However, there are programs that offer accelerated bachelor’s and master's degrees in five years, so a student’s undergraduate experience may actually encompass two degrees. A typical master's degree program for public administration should take around two years to complete, given a full-time schedule.
Will earning a master’s help you move up in public administration?
Absolutely. A master's degree in public administration, including an MBA with a concentration in public administration is sure to raise salaries and provide access to higher-level positions. For those who continue to work in the public sector, their states may have graduated pay rates that are closely tied to one's educational achievements.

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