2020 Most Affordable Online Master's in Public Administration Programs

By the OnlineU team | Updated 3/13/2020

2020 Most Affordable Public Administration Masters Degrees Badge

By the OnlineU team | Updated 3/13/2020

Our list of the most affordable online master's in public administration (MPA) programs features a variety of options for distance learners. Ranked #1, Strayer University's Master of Public Administration has the lowest annual tuition rate at $4,480. Students interested in tailoring their education to a specific area may be interested in the #10th ranked Master of Public Administration from American Public University System. With an annual tuition of $6,300, this program offers several concentrations in an areas such as Coaching and Conflict Resolution, Human Resources, National Security, and Environmental Policy.

You can read more about our ranked schools below or browse our rankings of the most affordable online master's programs. View our methodology or learn more about OnlineU.

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All tuition numbers were manually collected and verified

Rank	School	Annual Tuition
# 1	#1 Strayer University	$4,480
# 2	#2 Fort Hays State University	$4,604
# 3	#3 Valdosta State University	$5,274
# 4	#4 Columbus State University	$5,418
# 5	#5 University of North Georgia	$5,454
# 6	#6 Columbia Southern University	$5,670
# 7	#7 Adams State University	$5,925
# 8	#8 Wichita State University	$6,038
# 9	#9 Georgia College & State University	$6,084
# 10	#10 American Public University System	$6,300
# 11	#11 The University of Texas Permian Basin	$6,484
# 12	#12 University of Missouri	$6,562
# 13	#13 Southeast Missouri State University	$6,570
# 14	#14 University of South Dakota	$6,987
# 15	#15 Stephen F. Austin State University	$7,272
# 16	#16 Southern Utah University	$7,292
# 17	#17 Texas Tech University	$7,413
# 18	#18 Lamar University	$7,444
# 19	#19 University of Louisiana-Monroe	$7,500
# 20	#20 University of North Dakota	$7,599
# 21	#21 Arkansas State University	$7,608
# 22	#22 Southern Arkansas University	$7,920
# 23	#23 University of Illinois at Springfield	$8,154
# 24	#24 Wayland Baptist University	$8,784
# 25	#25 Troy University	$8,892

#1

#1

Strayer University

Nationwide

Annual Tuition: $4,480

Annual Tuition: $4,480

Annual Tuition: $4,480

Financial Aid Recipients: 53%
Graduation Rate: 27%
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 41,599
Graduate Online Enrollment: 9,908
School Type: For-Profit
School Accreditation: MSCHE

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Business Administration in Public Administration
Master of Public Administration

#2

#2

Fort Hays State University

Hays (KS)

Annual Tuition: $4,604

Annual Tuition: $4,604

Annual Tuition: $4,604

Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
Graduation Rate: 43%
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 4,411
Graduate Online Enrollment: 2,453
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Liberal Studies - Political Leadership and Public Service
Master of Liberal Studies - Political Science
Master of Liberal Studies - Public Administration
Master of Professional Studies - Political Management
Master of Professional Studies - Public Health Administration

#3

#3

Valdosta State University

Valdosta (GA)

Annual Tuition: $5,274

Annual Tuition: $5,274

Annual Tuition: $5,274

Financial Aid Recipients: 92%
Graduation Rate: 40%
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SATs: 990 -1140
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,107
Graduate Online Enrollment: 1,886
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration - Public Policy
Master of Public Administration - Public Sector Management

#4

#4

Columbus State University

Columbus (GA)

Annual Tuition: $5,418

Annual Tuition: $5,418

Annual Tuition: $5,418

Financial Aid Recipients: 92%
Graduation Rate: 38%
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SATs: 860 -1100
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 674
Graduate Online Enrollment: 786
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration - Track in Government Administration
Master of Public Administration - Track in Justice Administration

#5

#5

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega (GA)

Annual Tuition: $5,454

Annual Tuition: $5,454

Annual Tuition: $5,454

Financial Aid Recipients: 88%
Graduation Rate: 38%
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SATs: 990 -1190
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,138
Graduate Online Enrollment: 311
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration

#6

#6

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach (AL)

Annual Tuition: $5,670

Annual Tuition: $5,670

Annual Tuition: $5,670

Financial Aid Recipients: 94%
Graduation Rate: 22%
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 14,364
Graduate Online Enrollment: 5,670
School Type: For-Profit
School Accreditation: DEAC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration-Criminal Justice Administration
Master of Public Administration-General
Master of Science in Fire Executive Leadership - Concentration in Public Administration
M.S. Emergency Services Management
M.S. Occupational Safety and Health
M.S. Occupational Safety and Health-Environmental Management

#7

#7

Adams State University

Alamosa (CO)

Annual Tuition: $5,925

Annual Tuition: $5,925

Annual Tuition: $5,925

Financial Aid Recipients: 98%
Graduation Rate: 30%
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Average SATs: 890 -1090
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 367
Graduate Online Enrollment: 1,057
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Arts in Public Administration
Master of Business Administration - Emphasis in Public Administration

#8

#8

Wichita State University

Wichita (KS)

Annual Tuition: $6,038

Annual Tuition: $6,038

Annual Tuition: $6,038

Financial Aid Recipients: 89%
Graduation Rate: 50%
Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SATs: 1030 -1270
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 2,272
Graduate Online Enrollment: 632
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration

#9

#9

Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville (GA)

Annual Tuition: $6,084

Annual Tuition: $6,084

Annual Tuition: $6,084

Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
Graduation Rate: 64%
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SATs: 1110 -1260
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 15
Graduate Online Enrollment: 888
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration

#10

#10

American Public University System

Charles Town (WV)

Annual Tuition: $6,300

Annual Tuition: $6,300

Annual Tuition: $6,300

Financial Aid Recipients: 100%
Graduation Rate: 40%
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 37,335
Graduate Online Enrollment: 7,914
School Type: For-Profit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Arts in Management - Concentration in Public Administration
Master of Arts in Political Science - Concentration in Comparative Government and Development
Master of Arts in Political Science - Concentration in Public Policy
Master of Arts in Security Management
Master of Business Administration - Concentration in Government Contracting and Acquisition
Master of Public Administration

#11

#11

The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa (TX)

Annual Tuition: $6,484

Annual Tuition: $6,484

Annual Tuition: $6,484

Financial Aid Recipients: 91%
Graduation Rate: 40%
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SATs: 940 -1133
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,827
Graduate Online Enrollment: 589
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration

#12

#12

University of Missouri

Columbia (MO)

Annual Tuition: $6,562

Annual Tuition: $6,562

Annual Tuition: $6,562

Financial Aid Recipients: 89%
Graduation Rate: 71%
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SATs: 1120 -1340
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 835
Graduate Online Enrollment: 2,423
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Dual Master of Public Affairs / Master of Library and Information Science
Dual Master of Public Affairs / Master of Public Health
Master of Public Affairs
Master of Public Affairs - Specialization in Nonprofit Management
Master of Public Affairs - Specialization in Public Management
Master of Public Affairs - Specialization in Public Policy

#13

#13

Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau (MO)

Annual Tuition: $6,570

Annual Tuition: $6,570

Annual Tuition: $6,570

Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
Graduation Rate: 50%
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,223
Graduate Online Enrollment: 481
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration (Non-Thesis)
Master of Public Administration (Thesis)

#14

#14

University of South Dakota

Vermillion (SD)

Annual Tuition: $6,987

Annual Tuition: $6,987

Annual Tuition: $6,987

Financial Aid Recipients: 94%
Graduation Rate: 59%
Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SATs: 990 -1180
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,921
Graduate Online Enrollment: 983
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Executive Master of Public Administration

#15

#15

Stephen F. Austin State University

Nacogdoches (TX)

Annual Tuition: $7,272

Annual Tuition: $7,272

Annual Tuition: $7,272

Financial Aid Recipients: 86%
Graduation Rate: 52%
Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SATs: 990 -1180
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,040
Graduate Online Enrollment: 574
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Arts in National Security
Master of Public Administration

#16

#16

Southern Utah University

Cedar City (UT)

Annual Tuition: $7,292

Annual Tuition: $7,292

Annual Tuition: $7,292

Financial Aid Recipients: 95%
Graduation Rate: 44%
Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SATs: 1020 -1240
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 730
Graduate Online Enrollment: 497
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: NWCCU

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration - Criminal Justice
Master of Public Administration - Higher Education Administration
Master of Public Administration - State and Local Government

#17

#17

Texas Tech University

Lubbock (TX)

Annual Tuition: $7,413

Annual Tuition: $7,413

Annual Tuition: $7,413

Financial Aid Recipients: 78%
Graduation Rate: 61%
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SATs: 1070 -1260
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,931
Graduate Online Enrollment: 1,811
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration - Concentration in Environmental Policy and Administration
Master of Public Administration - Concentration in Healthcare Administration
Master of Public Administration - Concentration in Non-Profit Management
Master of Public Administration - Concentration in Public Management

#18

#18

Lamar University

Beaumont (TX)

Annual Tuition: $7,444

Annual Tuition: $7,444

Annual Tuition: $7,444

Financial Aid Recipients: 82%
Graduation Rate: 34%
Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SATs: 960 -1140
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 2,222
Graduate Online Enrollment: 6,150
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Health in Public Health Administration

#19

#19

University of Louisiana-Monroe

Monroe (LA)

Annual Tuition: $7,500

Annual Tuition: $7,500

Annual Tuition: $7,500

Financial Aid Recipients: 98%
Graduation Rate: 47%
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 899
Graduate Online Enrollment: 939
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration

#20

#20

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks (ND)

Annual Tuition: $7,599

Annual Tuition: $7,599

Annual Tuition: $7,599

Financial Aid Recipients: 92%
Graduation Rate: 61%
Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SATs: 1010 -1250
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,851
Graduate Online Enrollment: 1,500
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Bachelor's Degrees

Combined Accelerated Bachelor of Accountancy/Master of Accountancy - Concentration in Public Administration
Combined Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Political Science/Master of Public Administration
Combined Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs/Master of Public Administration

Online Master's Degrees

Combined Accelerated Bachelor of Accountancy/Master of Accountancy - Concentration in Public Administration
Combined Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Political Science/Master of Public Administration
Combined Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs/Master of Public Administration
Master of Accountancy - Professional Track - Concentration in Public Administration
Master of Public Administration

#21

#21

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro (AR)

Annual Tuition: $7,608

Annual Tuition: $7,608

Annual Tuition: $7,608

Financial Aid Recipients: 97%
Graduation Rate: 53%
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SATs: 1013 -1220
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 1,064
Graduate Online Enrollment: 3,414
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration (MPA) Public Management track
MS in Media Management - Public Administration
Master of Public Administration (MPA) Non-Profit Management track

#22

#22

Southern Arkansas University

Magnolia (AR)

Annual Tuition: $7,920

Annual Tuition: $7,920

Annual Tuition: $7,920

Financial Aid Recipients: 99%
Graduation Rate: 44%
Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SATs: 966 -1168
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 371
Graduate Online Enrollment: 634
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration in Social Entrepreneurship

#23

#23

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield (IL)

Annual Tuition: $8,154

Annual Tuition: $8,154

Annual Tuition: $8,154

Financial Aid Recipients: 96%
Graduation Rate: 54%
Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SATs: 995 -1220
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 889
Graduate Online Enrollment: 859
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: HLC

Online Master's Degrees

Joint Master of Public Health / Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration
Master of Science in Environmental Sciences
Master of Science in Environmental Sciences - Concentration in Environmental Planning and Management

#24

#24

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview (TX)

Annual Tuition: $8,784

Annual Tuition: $8,784

Annual Tuition: $8,784

Financial Aid Recipients: 94%
Graduation Rate: 23%
Acceptance Rate: 99%
Average SATs: 880 -1060
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 670
Graduate Online Enrollment: 604
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

Master of Public Administration
MPA - Alternative Dispute Resolution
MPA - Government Administration
MPA - Homeland Security/Emergency Management
MPA - Justice Administration

#25

#25

Troy University

Troy (AL)

Annual Tuition: $8,892

Annual Tuition: $8,892

Annual Tuition: $8,892

Financial Aid Recipients: 92%
Graduation Rate: 47%
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SATs: 930 -1090
Undergrad Online Enrollment: 4,633
Graduate Online Enrollment: 2,088
School Type: Nonprofit
School Accreditation: SACS COC

Online Master's Degrees

MPA

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