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Masters in Public Administration in USA: Top Universities, Scholarships, Eligibility, Fees, and Salaries

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Abhishek Sharma • 7 Mins read • 12 Aug 25
Masters in Public Administration in USAMasters in Public Administration in USA

Masters in Public Administration in USA is a professional postgraduate course prepared for leadership and management roles in public service, which includes nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and the private sector. The course duration is 1.5 or 2 years (depending on the institution).

The average tuition fee is USD 24,628 (₹21,58,365) - USD 89,404 (₹78,34,710) per year. For admission, the clearance of IELTS and TOEFL is mandatory. The IELTS score required is (6.0-7.0) and TOEFL (71-100 iBT). In some colleges, the GRE/GMAT exam scores are also required for admission. The core courses include Foundations of Public Administration, Public Policy, Analysis and Research, Methods in Public Administration, Financial Management in the Public Sector, Organizational Behaviour, Ethics and Leadership in Public Service, etc.

This blog provides you with comprehensive, detailed information on Masters in Public Administration in USA, which includes Top Universities, Scholarships, Eligibility, Fees, Salaries, etc.


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Quick Highlights

Here are the quick highlights of the Masters in Public Administration in USA.

Particulars

Details

Duration

1.5 or 2 years

Eligibility

Bachelor’s degree in the respective discipline

Popular Entrance Exams

IELTS / TOEFL 

Minimum IELTS Score

6.0

Top Specialisations

  • Public Administration and Democracy
  • Public Policy Process
  • Ethics and Morality in Public Affairs
  • Public Budgeting
  • Collaborative and Participatory Governance
  • Data-Driven Government
  • Human Resources Management for the Public Sector

Average yearly tuition fees

USD 24,628 (₹21,58,365) - USD 89,404 (₹78,34,710)

Top Universities

  • Harvard University
  • The Ohio State University
  • The University of Texas at Austin
  • Michigan State University
  • The University of Texas at Dallas
  • California State University Long Beach

Popular Scholarships Available at Institutions

  • Geographic Enhancement Opportunity (GEO) Award
  • Merit-Based Scholarships
  • Dean's Scholars Program
  • Graduate International Excellence Scholarships
  • Graduate Progression Scholarship

Job Roles

  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Development Coordinator
  • Financial Analyst
  • Public Relations Manager
  • Data Analyst
  • Environmental Consultant

Top recruiters

  • Walmart
  • Google
  • CISCO
  • Whole Food Markets
  • CNN
  • Nationwide Insurance


Why Choose Masters in Public Administration in USA?

Some of the key points why choose Masters in Public Administration in USA are:

  • Provides quality education: The institution's faculty team provides quality education regularly.
  • Highly-ranked Universities: For Masters in Public Administration in USA, there are so many highly-ranked Universities available.
  • Regular practical classes: The institution offers practical classes on a regular basis.
  • Degree globally recognized: The degree is globally recognized, which means you can apply for a job anywhere in the world. 
  • Career Opportunities: After completion of the course, you have a career opportunity to build yourself in organizations, government agencies, and the private sector.
  • First-Aid Facilities: The first-aid facility is available 24/7 on the college campus while you pursue Masters in Public Administration in USA.


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Top Universities/Colleges

The following table shows the top Masters in Public Administration in USA Universities.

Universities/Institutions Names

Total Tuition Fees in USD (Approx.)

Total Tuition Fees in INR (Approx.)

Barry University

USD 25,200

₹20,00,000

Arizona State University

USD 34,290

₹28,00,000

Illinois Institute of Technology

USD 32,040

₹26,00,000

Portland State University

USD 48,384

₹40,00,000

New York University

USD 89,404

₹74,00,000

Kent State University

USD 39,518

₹32,00,000

University of Pennsylvania

USD 34,594

₹28,00,000

University of Alabama

USD 24,628

₹20,00,000

Harvard University

USD 55,656

₹46,00,000


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria required for studying Masters in Public Administration in USA are shown in the table given below.

Criteria

Details

Educational Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in the respective discipline

GRE/GMAT

Optional

English Proficiency Score Required

  • IELTS (6.0-7.0)
  • TOEFL (71-100 iBT)

Visa & Passport

  • Valid Passport
  • Student Visa

Work Experience

Not mandatory, but preferred


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Application Process

The following table shows the Masters in Public Administration in USA application process.

Steps

Description

Step 1

Visit the official website of the institution

Step 2

Fill out the application form and submit the documents on the web portal

Step 3

Payment of the application fees

Step 4

Wait for the Admission Letter or Allotment Letter

Step 5

Apply for a Student Visa at the Embassy or the Visa portal

Step 6

Plan your journey to the USA for the course


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Documents Required

The table given below shows the documents required to study Masters in Public Administration in USA.

Documents Required

Required or not

Academic Transcripts

Yes

Statement of Purpose (SOP)

Required

Letters of Recommendation (LORs)

2 or 3 LORs

Resume/CV

Required

GRE/GMAT Scores

Optional

English Proficiency Test

  • IELTS (6.0-7.0)
  • TOEFL (71-100 iBT)


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Visa Application Timeline

The table given shows all the visa application-related information while applying for studying Masters in Public Administration in USA.

Events 

Important/Tentative Dates

Application deadline for a student visa for the F-1 visa

Based on admission starts

Visa Processing Time

3 to 4 weeks (after applying)

Departure for Masters in Public Administration in USA

Based on the institution's academic session starting date


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Top Entrance Exams

The following table shows the Masters in Public Administration in USA top entrance exams.

Exam name

Applicable Universities

Mandatory or not

IELTS/TOEFL

Almost all top Universities

Yes

GMAT/GRE

In a few Universities

Optional

Interview Sessions (Recorded or Virtual)

In a few Universities

In a few Universities


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Cutoff

The Masters in Public Administration in USA cutoff score required in IELTS/TOEFL for admission is shown in the table given below.

University Type

IELTS

TOEFL

GRE/GMAT

Top Universities

Minimum score of 6.0

71-100 iBT

Varies every year


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Syllabus

Masters in Public Administration in USA syllabus 2025 is mentioned in the table given below.

Courses Name (Semester-wise)

Electives/Specializations

Semester 1:

  • Foundations of Public Administration
  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Research Methods in Public Administration

Semester 2:

  • Financial Management in the Public Sector
  • Organizational Behaviour
  • Ethics and Leadership in Public Service

Semester 3:

  • Public Program Evaluation
  • Public Administration Law
  • Global Governance and Public Policy

Semester 4:

  • Capstone Project
  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Health Policy and Management
  • Non-profit Management
  • Urban and Regional Planning
  • Environmental Policy and Management
  • International Development
  • Public Financial Management
  • Emergency Management
  • Social Policy
  • Human Resources Management


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Scholarship

The following table shows the Masters in Public Administration in USA scholarship information.

Scholarship Name

Amount (Approximately)

Global Engineering Leaders Scholarships

USD 5,000 (₹4,38,000)

Dean's Scholars Program

USD 10,000 (₹8,76,230)

Graduate International Excellence Scholarships

USD 1,000 (₹87,617) - USD 5,000 (₹4,38,000)

Graduate Progression Scholarship

USD 4,000 (₹3,50,500)

Geographic Enhancement Opportunity (GEO) Award

NA

Provost’s Scholarship (Graduate)

USD 6,000 (₹5,25,750) - USD 10,000 (₹8,76,230)


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Cost of Living

The Masters in Public Administration in USA cost-of-living-related information is listed in the table given below.

Category

Approx. Cost of Living (USD)

Approx. Cost of Living (INR)

Accommodation

USD 25,200

₹22,08,576

Transportation

USD 840

₹73,600

Food

USD 12,775

₹11,19,650

Health Insurance

USD 750

₹65,700

Personal Expenses

USD 3,000

₹2,62,900


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Career Scope

The following table shows the Masters in Public Administration in USA career scope related information, including sections of job roles offered and industrial sectors.

Job Roles Offered

Industrial Sector

  • Public Affairs Specialist
  • Development Coordinator
  • Financial Analyst
  • Public Relations Manager
  • Data Analyst
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Manufacturing
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Transportation and Logistics 
  • Construction and Infrastructure
  • Technology and Innovation


Masters in Public Administration in USA: Salary Packages

Masters in Public Administration in USA salary packages offered after completion of the course are shown in the table given below.

Jobs Roles

Average Salary Package (USD) (Approx.)

Average Salary Package (INR) (Approx.)

Public Affairs Specialist

USD 68,300

₹56,00,000

Development Coordinator

USD 45,650

₹38,00,000

Financial Analyst

USD 65,750

₹54,00,000

Public Relations Manager

USD 75,500

₹62,00,000

Data Analyst

USD 66,000

₹55,00,000

Environmental Consultant

USD 62,600

₹52,00,000


Frequently Asked Questions


Ques: Provide some information on the Best Master's in Public Administration programs in the USA?

Ans: The best Master's in Public Administration programs in the USA are listed below:

  • Foundations of Public Administration
  • Public Policy Analysis
  • Research Methods in Public Administration
  • Financial Management in the Public Sector
  • Organizational Behaviour
  • Ethics and Leadership in Public Service


Ques: How to apply to a Masters in Public Administration program in the United States?

Ans: Candidates need to visit the official website of the institution they preferred and fulfill all the eligibility criteria required after filling application form and submitting documents.


Ques: What is the Public Affairs Specialist's average salary for MPA graduates in the USA?

Ans: The average salary packages for Public Affairs Specialist MPA graduates in the USA are USD 68,300 (₹56,00,000).


Ques: What are the average yearly tuition fees for the candidates while pursuing Masters in Public Administration program in the United States?

Ans: The average yearly tuition fees for the candidates while pursuing Masters in Public Administration program in the United States range between USD 24,628 (₹21,58,365) to USD 89,404 (₹78,34,710).


Ques: Mention the scholarship or Funding opportunities for Masters in Public Administration students in the USA?

Ans: The scholarship or Funding opportunities for Masters in Public Administration students in the USA are listed below:

  • Geographic Enhancement Opportunity (GEO) Award
  • Merit-Based Scholarships
  • Dean's Scholars Program
  • Graduate International Excellence Scholarships
  • Graduate Progression Scholarship