Low-Cost Online Master's in Public Administration (MPA): Finding a School

Affordable Online Public Administration Degrees

Getting your MPA doesn’t have to break the bank. Affordable programs in this field will offer a combination of lower tuition rates and financial aid assistance, and finding an online program will bring costs down even further. Also, it can only help if you are on the ball with scholarships, tuition reimbursement programs, payment plans, and other resources. Take a look at the following online schools to get a sense of what to keep an eye out for in your search for the right affordable MPA program for you.

Lowering the Cost of Your Online MPA Degree

While your top priority is finding the program that’s right for you, you’ll also want to consider how to minimize the cost of your online MPA degree. Check out these five ideas that could save you big bucks and consider which ones may work the best for you.

1. Apply to scholarships, grants, and fellowships created for MPA students.

Many schools provide extensive financial aid information and opportunities such as scholarships, grants, and fellowships for their MPA students. For example, Missouri State University-Springfield offers department-specific financial aid in addition to aid offered to all students. You’ll also find scholarship and award opportunities through professional organizations such as the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs and the Section for Women in Public Administration. Finally, the STEPS financial aid guide and scholarships and resources guide for public administration students provide even more ways to discover scholarships, grants, and fellowships.

2. Investigate tuition reimbursement programs.

Many employers, including the federal government, offer tuition reimbursement programs to help offset tuition costs for their employees. Some employers require a certain grade or that you commit to working for them for a specific amount of time in return for reimbursing your tuition. While there is no limit to how much you can receive in tuition reimbursement, many employers cap the maximum yearly amount at $5,250 since you’ll have to pay taxes on anything beyond that. Review the guide How to Use – and Ask for – Employer Tuition Reimbursement Benefits, then check with your company’s human resources department to see if your workplace has a tuition reimbursement program.

3. Maximize tax credits, deductions, and other benefits.

The guide Tax Benefits for Education summarizes tax credits, student loan interest deductions, savings plans, deductions for work-related education expenses, and more. Plus, you’ll learn how scholarships and fellowships impact your tax return. (Spoiler alert: Typically, tuition and mandatory enrollment fees qualify for tax credits, but you must subtract any scholarships or educational assistance such as an employer’s tuition reimbursement.) In practice, maximizing these benefits can be confusing, so consulting a tax professional can be a good idea to get the best results.

4. Check student loan options.

Student loans include those from the federal government and private loans from banks and other financial institutions, such as Sallie Mae. Federal loans, which you apply for by filling out a FAFSA, include Federal Direct Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS loans. Your credit score affects your ability to obtain a private loan without a cosigner, and terms vary depending on the type of loan. Most college websites have loan information; as an example, take a look at info from Southern Arkansas University, which details not only how to apply for loans but also how to manage debt and even apply for loan forgiveness. It’s important to know about student loan risks and responsibilities before heading down this road, so do your research ahead of time.

5. Consider public service loan forgiveness.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program cancels loans for full-time public service employees who work for the government and nonprofit organizations. Qualifying loans include those through the Direct Loan Program, the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program, and the Federal Perkins Loan Program. Additional criteria include having a repayment plan and making a minimum number of qualifying payments. While this may not yet apply to your online MPA, it could help with past student loan debt and clear the way for you to better afford your MPA.

Factors Impacting the Affordability of Your Online MPA Program

When selecting a top-quality and affordable MPA program, it is important to consider various factors that may affect the total cost of your degree. These costs may not be immediately apparent but can significantly increase the program’s overall price tag if not taken into account. However, anticipating these costs can help you plan accordingly and avoid any financial surprises down the line.

Length of Program

The less time you spend in school, the lower your overall costs will be. This is particularly beneficial for those who must limit their work hours while taking classes, as spending less time in school can mean more income. Additionally, obtaining your MPA degree sooner can also enable you to move into higher-paying positions sooner.

Residency Status

While some schools now charge the same tuition rate regardless of residency, traditionally in-state tuition costs are significantly less than (sometimes even half of) out-of-state tuition. Pay close attention to tuition for each program you consider and spend a little extra time evaluating programs in your home state.

Miscellaneous Fees

Finding a great tuition rate certainly matters—but not if the miscellaneous fees are considerable. Be sure to look at overall program cost and not just per credit or per course tuition rates before you make a final decision on which MPA program to choose.

Transfer Credits

If you’ve already completed some master’s level coursework, be sure to check if schools you are considering allow you to transfer credits. The savings in time and money can be substantial, especially at schools like Columbia Southern, which allows MPA students to transfer up to 18 credits.

Making Connections

Most MPA students hope to obtain an executive-level position, which means they need connections. So, in addition to a high-quality curriculum, flexibility, and affordability, choose a program that provides networking opportunities. For example, the program at Delaware State University emphasizes engagement with the community, providing lots of opportunities to work with local leaders. Remind yourself that, if the program you’re looking at doesn’t lend itself to meeting the people who might hire you, you could end up taking a lesser position and reduce your overall income in the long term.

Ranking the Most Affordable Online MPA Degrees

Determining the best school for your needs and budget can be a major task that directly influences your future. To remove the guesswork out of your research, our data scientists have deduced the most affordable MPA programs that offer high quality education. When you click “About the Rankings”, you’ll get a sense of how we determined this list by checking schools for accreditation, online learning components, and student support services. Check out if the school on your radar made its way onto our rankings.