2023 Most Affordable Online Public Administration Degrees

Dalton State College (DSC) is a public institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership - Public Service. Totaling 120-123 credit hours, the program can take full-time students four years to complete. DSC’s acceptance rate is 100%, and it has a 29% graduation rate.

At DSC, remote students complete coursework on eCore Online. The public service curriculum helps students develop leadership skills and knowledge in public sector management. Sample coursework includes Technology for Organizations, Public Finance, and Communications for the Workplace. Students must also complete a capstone course to graduate. Future job opportunities for graduates include contract administrators, public management consultants, and lobbyists.

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNCP) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Public and Non-Profit Administration, which requires 120 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to complete the program in approximately four years. UNCP accepts 91% of applicants, with a 45% graduation rate.

UNCP facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the learning management system (LMS), Canvas. The public service coursework prepares students to assume positions in public policy and other related sectors. Some of the core classes are Organization and Management, Principles of Marketing, and Writing in Political Science. Prospective job outlooks for this program include public administrators, municipal analysts, and city clerks.

At Georgia Southern University (Georgia Southern), a public institution, prospective students can pursue an online Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies - Public Administration that totals 124 credit hours. It can take four years to complete this program full time. Students can opt to minor in Public Administration instead of a concentration and combine it with any degree. Georgia Southern has an acceptance rate of 91%, with a 51% graduation rate.

Georgia Southern's online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously through the LMS, Folio. The public administration emphasis provides the foundation for students to explore their career interests in public service. Sample coursework includes Introduction to Public Administration, Public Budgeting and Finance, and Administrative Law. Alumni often pursue careers like regulatory affairs specialists, county zoning administrators, and public managers.

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Arts in Political Science - Public Administration totaling 120 credits. Students can expect to complete this program full time within four years. FHSU accepts 91% of applicants, with 57% graduating with a degree.

At FHSU, online students complete coursework, delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats, on Blackboard. The program’s curriculum prepares students to become public servants in various industries. Some of the program’s courses are American Government, Research Methods, and Introduction to Public Policy. Students must complete a senior capstone and an internship before graduation. Potential career opportunities for graduates include public administrators, municipal analysts, and lobbyists.

Barry University (Barry) is a private, nonprofit, Catholic institution that offers an online Bachelor of Public Administration. Requiring 120 credit hours, this degree takes full-time students at least four years to finish. Barry's acceptance rate is 65%, and it has a 48% graduation rate.

Barry facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via the LMS, Canvas. The university's public administration curriculum helps students increase their chances of landing career opportunities in industries like public service and nonprofits. Sample coursework includes Principles of Public Administration, Public Budgeting and Finance, and Administrative Law and Process. Graduates of the program may pursue careers like county assessors, public managers, and contract administrators.

Peru State College (PSC) is a small, public institution offering an online Bachelor of Arts or Science in Business Administration - Public Administration. Since it requires 120 credit hours, full-time students can expect to spend four years completing this program. The university accepts 100% of applicants, and still maintains a 44% graduation rate.

PSC’s online students complete coursework through Canvas. The curriculum covers the theoretical and practical concepts related to public administration. Sample coursework includes Organizational Ethics, Project Management, and American National Government. Alumni may become public administrators, city clerks, and lobbyists, to name a few options.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) — a private, nonprofit, and Christian institution — has an online Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration totaling 120 credit hours. Students who have already completed a significant number of college courses can finish this program within 21 months. MVNU’s acceptance rate is 72%, and its graduation rate is 61%.

MVNU facilitates online learning on the LMS, Moodle. The program’s curriculum is designed for career professionals who aspire to assume leadership roles. The program’s courses include Management and Leadership Techniques, Ethics and Law, and Public Service in Communities. The program’s graduates may pursue government, nonprofit, and accounting careers.

Northwestern State University of Louisiana (NSULA) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Unified Public Safety Administration requiring 120 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to take four years to complete this program. The university accepts 95% of applicants, with 40% of students graduating.

At NSULA, online students complete coursework, delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats, on Moodle. The curriculum gives students the skills to assume public safety roles and allows students to choose from six concentrations, such as Geo Computation and Public Facilities Management. Sample coursework includes Personnel Management, Social Dimensions of Disaster, and Emergency Medical Response Planning. Graduates may enter a variety of roles, including cybersecurity analysts, emergency responders, and law enforcement officers.

Southern New Hampshire University Online (SNHU Online) is a private, nonprofit institution offering an online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Public Administration. Full-time students spend about four years completing the 120 required credit hours. SNHU Online’s acceptance rate is 94%, and it still maintains a 40% graduation rate.

SNHU Online facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning through the LMS, D2L Brightspace. The public administration curriculum is designed for students who want a deeper understanding of policy and program development. Sample coursework includes American Politics, Public Administration, and Public Fiscal Management. Program graduates may pursue careers like emergency management officials, public information officers, and solicitors.

Southern Illinois University - Carbondale (SIU) is a public institution that offers an online Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Management requiring 120 credit hours. Full-time students can expect to spend at least four years completing this program. The university accepts 92% of applicants and has a 53% graduation rate.

At SIU, online students complete coursework on D2L Brightspace, which delivers the curriculum asynchronously and synchronously, depending on the class. Overall, the degree program includes practical coursework covering fire service management and supervision techniques. The program offers three concentrations: (1) Fire Service Management, (2) Emergency Medical Services, and (3) Emergency Management Administration. Sample coursework includes Ethics in Public Safety, Applications of Technical Writing, and Professional Development. Prospective job opportunities for graduates include emergency services managers, border patrol agents, and customs officers.