Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2025

Badge for BEST ONLINE BACHELOR'S IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Find top-ranked online bachelor’s in public administration degree programs in the US for students looking to work in public relations, government, nonprofit leadership, and health services management.

Top 10 Online Bachelor's Degrees in Public Administration in 2025

  1. Florida International University
  2. Liberty University
  3. Northern Arizona University
    +2
  4. University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
  5. Troy University
    –2
  6. Southern New Hampshire University
  7. Barry University
    +1
  8. University of the Incarnate Word
    +4
  9. Hawaii Pacific University
    +1
  10. National University
    –3

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or last ground for the 2025 school year.

In 2025, Florida International University, Liberty University, and University of Massachusetts Dartmouth maintained their respective positions. Troy University and Northern Arizona University switched ranking positions.

Featured Programs

Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs 2025

  1. #1

    Florida International University

    Miami , FL
    #6 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Florida 2025 #5 Best Colleges in Florida 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    72K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/23

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Florida International University

    Cost of Degree: $6,565
    Expenses: $19,406
    Starting Salary: $47,468
    Salary after 4 years: $56,131
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BPA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  2. #2

    Liberty University

    Lynchburg , VA
    #6 15 Best Self-paced Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #9 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #10 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #11 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    66%

    Student body

    131K

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Liberty University

    Cost of Degree: $15,822
    Expenses: $21,458
    Starting Salary: $59,401
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BSBA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice

    Concentrations

    • Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Government

    Concentrations

    • Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 3.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  3. #3

    Northern Arizona University

    Flagstaff , AZ
    #3 Best Colleges in Arizona 2025 #3 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2025 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024 #3 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    32K

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Northern Arizona University

    Cost of Degree: $12,238
    Expenses: $17,028
    Starting Salary: $40,713
    Salary after 4 years: $48,143
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BAS in Applied Science

    Concentrations

    • Administration
    • Emergency Management
    • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
    • Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies

    Concentrations

    • Humanities
    • Public Administration
    • Technology Management
    • University Studies
    • Emergency Management
    • Industrial Leadership
    • Technology Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  4. #4

    University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

    North Dartmouth , MA
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2024 #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Gender Studies Degree Programs for 2025 #7 Best Online MBA Programs in Massachusetts
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/26

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

    Cost of Degree: $15,208
    Expenses: $21,112
    Starting Salary: $47,011
    Salary after 4 years: $55,591
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  6. #5

    Troy University

    Troy , AL
    #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Alabama 2025 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Alabama 2025 #7 Best Public Colleges in Alabama 2024 #8 Best Grad Schools in Alabama 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    95%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1050/20

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Troy University

    Cost of Degree: $9,792
    Expenses: $14,366
    Starting Salary: $37,518
    Salary after 4 years: $44,365
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Political Science

    Concentrations

    • American Politics and Public Administration
    • International Politics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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  7. #6

    Southern New Hampshire University

    Manchester , NH
    #11 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2025 #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire 2025 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in New Hampshire 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    224K

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Southern New Hampshire University

    Cost of Degree: $16,450
    Expenses: $24,000
    Starting Salary: $72,027
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Accounting
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Finance
    • Human Resources Management
    • International Business
    • Management Information Systems
    • Marketing
    • Nonprofit Management
    • Organizational Leadership
    • Project Management
    • Public Administration
    • Sports Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  8. #7

    Barry University

    Miami , FL
    #14 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Florida 2024 #6 Best Private Colleges in Florida 2024 #1 Most Affordable Online Occupational Therapy Masters Programs 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $33K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Barry University

    Cost of Degree: $33,450
    Expenses: $20,142
    Starting Salary: $73,031
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BPA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  10. #9

    Hawaii Pacific University

    Honolulu , HI
    #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #1 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #2 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1150/23

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Hawaii Pacific University

    Cost of Degree: $36,080
    Expenses: $19,492
    Starting Salary: $80,923
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  12. #10

    National University

    San Diego , CA
    #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in California 2025 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Strategic Communications Degree Programs #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Math Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Graduation

    22%

    Student body

    29K

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at National University

    Cost of Degree: $13,320
    Starting Salary: $84,653

    Online Degrees

    BPA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 180
    • Completion time: 4.5-5.5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  14. #12

    Keiser University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    #10 Best Private Colleges in Florida 2024 #1 Best Online Doctorate in Business Administration Degree Programs #2 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Florida 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $23K

    Acceptance

    97%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    32K

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Keiser University

    Cost of Degree: $24,136
    Expenses: $26,450
    Starting Salary: $50,361
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  15. #13

    California Baptist University

    Riverside , CA
    #22 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees 2025 #24 Best CCCU Colleges and Universities 2024 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Kinesiology Degree Programs for 2025 #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in California 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    14K

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at California Baptist University

    Cost of Degree: $39,720
    Expenses: $16,178
    Starting Salary: $68,153
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion time: 4-5 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  16. #14

    Point Park University

    Pittsburgh , PA
    #14 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2025 #8 Best Online MBA Programs in Pennsylvania #15 Best Online Colleges in Pennsylvania 2024 #16 Best Online Master's Programs in Pennsylvania 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $37K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1137/22

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Point Park University

    Cost of Degree: $38,160
    Expenses: $16,020
    Starting Salary: $60,836
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BS in Public Administration

    Concentrations

    • EMS Administration
    • Fire Service Concentration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  19. #16

    Christian Brothers University

    Memphis , TN
    #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #9 Best Christian Colleges in Tennessee 2025 #17 Best Online Colleges in Tennessee 2024 #21 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $36K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Christian Brothers University

    Cost of Degree: $37,300
    Expenses: $14,252
    Starting Salary: $71,740
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Professional Psychology; Criminal Justice

    Concentrations

    • Public Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Criminology
    • Criminal Law
    • Corrections
    • Policing
    • Juvenile Justice
    • Required Credits: None Reported
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  21. #18

    Peru State College

    Peru , NE
    #5 Best Small Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Nebraska 2025 #6 Best Public Colleges in Nebraska 2024 #9 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Nebraska 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Graduation

    34%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Peru State College

    Cost of Degree: $8,280
    Expenses: $14,196
    Starting Salary: $36,149
    Salary after 4 years: $42,746
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  22. #19

    University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

    Kapolei , HI
    #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #4 Best Public Colleges in Hawaii 2024 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Hawaii 2025 #6 Best Colleges in Hawaii 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    33%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1110/19

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu

    Cost of Degree: $7,584
    Starting Salary: $37,518
    Salary after 4 years: $44,365

    Online Degrees

    BS in Public Administration

    Concentrations

    • Disaster Preparedness And Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration

    Concentrations

    • Justice Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration

    Concentrations

    • Community Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration

    Concentrations

    • General Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration

    Concentrations

    • Healthcare Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration

    Concentrations

    • Long-Term Care
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  24. #20

    Mount Vernon Nazarene University

    Mount Vernon , OH
    #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in Ohio 2025 #12 Best Online Colleges in Ohio 2024 #13 Best Online MBA Programs in Ohio #14 Best Online Master's Programs in Ohio 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $34K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1095/21

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Mount Vernon Nazarene University

    Cost of Degree: $25,559
    Expenses: $15,896
    Starting Salary: $71,740
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion time: 4 years
    • Format: Online
    Compare school
  26. #22

    Dordt University

    Sioux Center , IA
    #8 Best Online Bachelor's in Construction Management Degree Programs #16 Best Online Colleges in Iowa 2024 #16 Best Online Master's Programs in Iowa 2024

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/24

    Career Outlook for Public Administration degree at Dordt University

    Cost of Degree: $35,960
    Expenses: $15,940
    Starting Salary: $64,996
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Online Degrees

    BA in Business Administration

    Concentrations

    • Management
    • Construction Management
    • Finance
    • General
    • Human Resource Management
    • Information Systems
    • International Business
    • Marketing
    • Office Management
    • Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 159.5
    • Completion time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    Compare school

Career Outlook for Students with Public Administration Degree

Go to Degree Finder tool

Public Administration

Degree Level: Bachelor's

  • Location: The U.S. (Private Schools)
  • Avg. Starting Salary*: $44,305
  • Avg. Salary after 4 Years*: $52,390
  • * denotes ‘annually’

Career Salaries

CareerJob GrowthAvg. Salary
Chief Executives5.48%$206,680
Managers, All Other5.75%$133,560
Construction Managers9.14%$104,900
General and Operations Managers5.80%$101,280
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers8.97%$99,200

Top Industries

IndustryAvg. Salary
Chief Executives$206,680
Managers, All Other$133,560
Construction Managers$104,900
Data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Department of Education College Scorecard, The Department of Education NCES, and The Council for Community and Economic Research.

Frequently Asked Questions About Public Administration Degrees

Those who have an interest in government, public policy, and community development can earn a bachelor’s degree in public administration online or on campus.

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Students will take courses on public budgeting, ethics, financial management, courts and the criminal procedure, resource distribution, and often, a public administration capstone.

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Most programs require a minimum of 120 credits, which takes a minimum of four years to finish.

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After completion, graduates will be qualified to work in public relations, government, nonprofit leadership, and health services management as administrative specialists, public utility specialists, and general operations managers.

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Online Degree Frequently Asked Questions

If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require a time of adjustment. Although you’ll typically learn the same material and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, going online will require greater independence and responsibility than going in person. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, for harnessing the online educational technology that you’ll need to use, and for completing the course requirements, such as listening to lectures, learning lessons, reading texts, and handing in assignments. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take the initiative in building relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.

No. The only part of online education that’s easier than campus-based education is ease of access: all you need is a computer and an internet connection for online education. But even this seeming advantage of online education can be misleading: what’s easier, studying online with your computer and internet connection from your home where you need to cook, clean, pay rent, and maintain a job? Or studying on campus in a dorm where all your living needs are handled by the school, and college staff are there to help you every step of the way?

If you take the commute to campus out of the equation, campus-based education is easier. All the support structures available on campus for students, especially with real people to help you in person, are not there online. The demands on you as an online student will largely be the same as for your campus-based counterpart, but without the same helps.

In general, your online courses will present the same material and test you in the same way as traditional in-person courses. In many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning with remote educational technology for the first time, online college may be considerably more challenging than campus-based college. For a few insights on how to manage this new online experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.

Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable non-profit institutions on the one end and less-than-reputable for-profit institutions on the other end. Accreditation gives you the power to identify the more reputable actors in online education. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency indicating that a college or university is meeting standards of quality and credibility. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.

Attending a college or university that is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. For students seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that they opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree. For more on this important topic, check out our What is Accreditation and Why Does It Matter? College & University Accreditation Guide.

As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited (see the previous point), you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer of credits. In many cases, you will encounter some bureaucratic haggling in which some of your credits will be transferred and others may be refused. However, provided that you have attended an online school with recognized regional accreditation, you should be in good shape in transferring your credits earned online.

In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript, or resumé differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.

Some employers may express the concern that because you did your degree online, you may need to transition from an online education experience to in-person workplace experience. But in an age of Covid, that concern seems much diminished. The fact is that much employment these days is remote. And collaboration increasingly happens online over Zoom. Many employers will therefore view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.

If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will be less than ideal for you (though depending on your circumstances, it may also be the only viable option).

While there is much in traditional campus-based education that can be substituted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing that can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual in-person classroom setting. As you transition to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face in getting the most out of your online classes is overcoming this difference between “real reality” and “virtual reality.” Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.

The advantages of online classes are many. Above all, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete at your own pace and on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.

Resources for Online College-Bound Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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