By MDO Staff
February 2018
You have decided that an MPA degree is in your future, but you don’t want to give up your current job or rack up too much debt? We have the solution for you. This list of the top 10 online MPA degrees at publicly funded schools that don’t charge out of state tuition can help you achieve both goals. You can have it all, a degree that boosts your earning potential and an uninterrupted career path. What a time to be alive.
We compiled this list of the top 10 online MPA degrees at public schools that don’t charge out of state tuition fees by looking at, of course, which schools charge out of state fees, tuition value, and student to faculty ratio. Much helpful information was found at the National Center for Education Statistics and the individual websites of the schools ranked below. Further discussion of our ranking process can be found here.
#10 – Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
Master of Public Administration Online
Points: 9
Enrollment: 22,698
Tuition: $34,590
Clemson University was founded in 1889 and has transformed itself over the years from an ag school into a very selective, public research university. With a student to faculty ratio of 18:1, the school offers an online master of public administration which is a 39 or 42 credit hour program, depending on your choice of the comprehensive exam option (39 hours) or a capstone final research project (42 hours). Coursework in the program includes perspectives of public data analysis and public financial management. The school offers an online graduate tuition rate of $721 per credit hour, regardless of residency. Clemson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
#9 – University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware
Master of Public Administration Online
Points: 10
Enrollment: 22,852
Tuition: $32,250
Tracing its roots to 1743, the University of Delaware was ranked #45 (tie) on US News and World Report’s list of the Best Public Affairs Programs (Graduate). With a student to faculty ratio of 16:1, the school offers an online master of public administration which is a 36 credit program that includes the course titles of economics in public and nonprofit sectors and performance management and program evaluation. The school offers a graduate tuition rate of $1,770 per credit hour, but scholarship opportunities abound. The University of Delaware is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
#8 – Rutgers University
New Brunswick, New Jersey
Master of Public Administration Online
Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 11,720
Tuition: $29,480
Established in 1766, Rutgers University was ranked #56 (tie) on US News and World Report’s list of the Best Public Affairs Programs (Graduate). With a student to faculty ratio of 14:1, the school offers an online master of public administration which is a 33 credit hour program including coursework in administrative ethics and applied statistics. Four concentrations are available: budgeting and financial management, nonprofit management, public and nonprofit performance management, and healthcare administration. The school offers an online graduate tuition rate of $936 per credit hour for this program, regardless of residency. Rutgers University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
#7 – Kent State University at Kent
Kent, Ohio
Master of Public Administration Online
Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 30,067
Tuition: $18,376
Kent State University at Kent was founded in 1910. With a student to faculty ratio of 21:1, the school offers an online master of public administration which is a 36 credit hour program including coursework in electronic governance and nonprofit law. Out of state tuition for the online master’s in public administration at Kent State University at Kent is $686.00 per credit hour. The out of state student fee is $10 per credit hour. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#6 – San Diego State University
San Diego, California
Master of Public Administration Online
Website
Points: 11
Enrollment: 34,254
Tuition: $18,244
San Diego State University was ranked #86 (tie) on US News and World Report’s list of the Best Public Affairs Programs (Graduate). With a student to faculty ratio of 28:1, the school offers an online master of public administration which is a 36 unit program including coursework in public personnel administration and public financial administration. The career services office at San Diego State University can connect you with alumni who can act as a mentor in your field. The school offers an online graduate tuition rate of $550 per credit hour, regardless of residency. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission.
#5 – University of Illinois at Springfield
Springfield, Illinois
Master of Public Administration Online
Website
Points: 14
Enrollment: 5,402
Tuition: $20,938
The University of Illinois at Springfield was ranked #96 (tie) on US News and World Report’s list of the Best Public Affairs Programs (Graduate). With a student to faculty ratio of 14:1, the school offers an online master of public administration which is a 36 credit hour program that offers optional certificates in the management of nonprofit organizations and community planning. Coursework in the program includes public policy for managers and nonprofit sector and society. The school offers an online graduate tuition rate of $453 per credit hour, for this program. The University of Illinois at Springfield is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#4 – Troy University
Troy, Alabama
Master of Public Administration Online
Website
Points: 14
Enrollment: 17,765
Tuition: $15,484
Troy University is naturally represented with the mascot of the Trojan. With a student to faculty ratio of 15:1, the school offers an online master of public administration which is a 12-course program that can be completed in under two years. Seven concentrations are available: public management, government contracting, justice administration, public health administration, nonprofit management, public human resource management, and national security affairs. The school offers an online graduate tuition rate of $494 per credit hour, regardless of residency. Troy University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
#3 – Arkansas State University-Main Campus
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Master of Public Administration Online
Website
Points: 14
Enrollment: 13,410
Tuition: $14,260
Arkansas State University is increasingly recognized for research excellence. With a student to faculty ratio of 17:1, the school offers an online master of public administration, public management track, which is a 36 credit hour program including coursework in public budgeting and finance and nonprofit funding. Arkansas State University offers an online graduate tuition rate of $268 per credit hour, regardless of residency. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#2 – University of South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
Master of Public Administration Online
Website
Points: 15
Enrollment: 9,971
Tuition: $11,688
The University of South Dakota, the state’s flagship university, was established in 1862. With a student to faculty ratio of 17:1, the school offers an online executive master of public administration which is a 30 credit hour program that includes coursework in facilitation and conflict management and administrative law and government. Alumni and students of the University of South Dakota, alike, are eligible to use the Coyote Careers Network for professional and internship opportunities. The school offers an online graduate tuition rate of $444.25 per credit hour, regardless of residency. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
#1 – Grand Valley State University
Allendale, Michigan
Master of Public Administration Online
Website
Points: 24
Enrollment: 25,325
Tuition: $16,392
Grand Valley State University was ranked #96 (tie) on US News and World Report’s list of the Best Public Affairs Programs (Graduate). With a student to faculty ratio of 17:1, the school offers an online master of public administration is a 39-42 credit hour program that includes five available concentrations: public management, urban/regional policy planning, health administration, nonprofit management and leadership, and criminal justice. Coursework in the program includes public budgeting and health administration. The school offers an online graduate tuition rate of $627 per credit hour for this program, regardless of residency. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
This concludes the list of the top 10 online MPA degrees at public schools with no out of state tuition in 2018.