Why This Matters
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGERS MAKE OVER 2X THE AVERAGE WORKER
With an average salary of $100,170, administrative services managers make more than twice the average salary of all occupations.
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DEMAND FOR URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNERS IS EXPECTED TO GROW BY 4%
Environmental, demographic, and transportation changes will increase the need for more skilled city planners over the next decade.
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ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER JOBS TO GROW 7%
From 2021 to 2031, an estimated 16,100 new job openings will be available for administrative services managers.
Our Research
This list features some of the best master’s in public administration degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), an internationally recognized agency that assesses public administration programs for educational excellence and commitment to quality in education.
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of master’s in public administration degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The Top 50 Master’s in Public Administration Degree Programs

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What You Should Know About This Degree
When choosing a public sector career, you should also consider studying for a master of public policy (MPP) degree. While an MPA helps students develop the skills necessary to manage public policy and resolve organizational problems, an MPP degree specializes in policy research and statistical analysis.
A master’s in public administration has a broader curriculum to help prepare graduates for leadership and management roles in the public sector.
When choosing a degree program, determine whether you’re more interested in researching and analyzing data to create programs for the public sector or implementing and managing new policies.
Students who pursue a master’s in public administration graduate with a comprehensive skill set they can apply to many areas. Graduates often work in the private sector as financial and human resources managers, budget analysts, and tax examiners.
The job outlook for MPA graduates remains significantly higher than the national average due to a need for leaders in government, nonprofit management, and social service. With governments’ focusing on sustainable environmental policy over the next decade, urban and city planners are needed to implement these plans.
What’s Next?
Ask yourself these questions when researching master’s in public administration programs:
- Am I eligible for this program? To qualify for a graduate program such as an MPA, prospective students must hold a bachelor’s degree. Many programs also ask for a minimum Graduate Records Exam (GRE) score, and additional requirements may include a minimum GPA and relevant professional experience in public administration.
- How long does it take to complete this online degree? Master’s in public administration programs usually take two years of full-time study to complete. Degrees awarded include master of public administration, master of public affairs, and master of arts in public management.
Be sure to submit all application materials on time. Some programs might have additional prerequisites for applicants, so visit the school website to determine exact application information.
Scholarships, grants, and financial aid packages are available for students wishing to pursue a master’s degree. Consider how you will fund your graduate studies, and research opportunities to reduce tuition fees and related costs.