# Most Affordable Online Master's in Public Administration

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-06-12 | Schools: 50 | Category: Online Masters
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-online-masters-public-administration

## Methodology

Most affordable online master's in Public Administration ranked by net price and program quality

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

Finding an affordable online master's in Public Administration can be a challenge, especially when balancing costs with quality outcomes. These ten schools stand out for their commitment to providing a solid education without overwhelming debt. For many, this means pursuing a degree that can lead to better job opportunities and stability in a competitive job market.

What sets the top schools apart in this ranking are key outcomes like earnings potential, graduation rates, and debt levels. The data shows an average earning of $59,987 for graduates, but there's a significant difference in how each program supports its students. Lower net prices and higher completion rates generally lead to better long-term financial health, which is what we want to highlight in this list.

Take the University of Florida-Online and the University of Arkansas Grantham, for example. The University of Florida boasts a graduation rate of 81% and a low net price of $4,815, resulting in higher post-graduate earnings of $71,588. In contrast, the University of Arkansas has a much lower graduation rate of 32% and a net price of $8,370, which may lead to a different financial outcome for students. These contrasts are crucial as you consider your options.

## Key Findings

- University of Florida-Online graduates earn an average of $71,588, significantly higher than the average of $59,987.
- The graduation rate at University of Florida is 81%, compared to just 32% at University of Arkansas Grantham.
- Students at Western Governors University can expect a debt of $11,116, the lowest among the top five programs.
- On average, graduates from these programs face a debt of $20,641, underscoring the importance of financial planning.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [University of Florida-Online](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-florida-online) | Gainesville, FL | 81% | $71,588 | $4,815 | $15,000 | 0.21x |
| 2 | [University of West Alabama](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-alabama) | Livingston, AL | 36% | $44,232 | $12,684 | $24,944 | 0.56x |
| 3 | [Bellevue University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bellevue-university) | Bellevue, NE | 39% | $61,289 | $17,550 | $20,000 | 0.33x |
| 4 | [Empire State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/empire-state-university) | Saratoga Springs, NY | 34% | $54,080 | $11,676 | $18,730 | 0.35x |
| 5 | [Pennsylvania State University-World Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pennsylvania-state-university-world-campus) | University Park, PA | 34% | $63,435 | $19,550 | $25,000 | 0.39x |
| 6 | [Ave Maria University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/ave-maria-university) | Ave Maria, FL | 55% | $49,520 | $24,860 | $20,776 | 0.42x |
| 7 | [Southeastern Oklahoma State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southeastern-oklahoma-state-university) | Durant, OK | 32% | $45,079 | $8,039 | $17,000 | 0.38x |
| 8 | [Belhaven University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/belhaven-university) | Jackson, MS | 50% | $46,440 | $15,676 | $26,333 | 0.57x |
| 9 | [Franklin University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/franklin-university) | Columbus, OH | 21% | $51,892 | $25,243 | $20,836 | 0.4x |
| 10 | [Lamar University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lamar-university) | Beaumont, TX | 37% | $49,652 | $9,366 | $21,250 | 0.43x |
| 11 | [Upper Iowa University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/upper-iowa-university) | Fayette, IA | 38% | $52,766 | $20,942 | $25,000 | 0.47x |
| 12 | [Unity Environmental University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/unity-environmental-university) | New Gloucester, ME | 44% | $37,852 | $19,104 | $25,000 | 0.66x |
| 13 | [Great Basin College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/great-basin-college) | Elko, NV | 46% | $39,289 | $8,471 | $15,750 | 0.4x |
| 14 | [Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-new-mexico-university-main-campus) | Portales, NM | 42% | $38,550 | $4,904 | $16,500 | 0.43x |
| 15 | [National University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/national-university) | San Diego, CA | 42% | $67,548 | $22,878 | $25,000 | 0.37x |
| 16 | [University of Maine at Presque Isle](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-presque-isle) | Presque Isle, ME | 45% | $40,956 | $7,035 | $16,000 | 0.39x |
| 17 | [University of Maryland Global Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maryland-global-campus) | Adelphi, MD | 31% | $65,287 | $22,063 | $21,000 | 0.32x |
| 18 | [Saint Leo University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/saint-leo-university) | Saint Leo, FL | 47% | $48,364 | $21,293 | $25,278 | 0.52x |
| 19 | [Southern New Hampshire University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/southern-new-hampshire-university) | Manchester, NH | 44% | $50,318 | $36,708 | $21,082 | 0.42x |
| 20 | [Prescott College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/prescott-college) | Prescott, AZ | 44% | $42,359 | $22,583 | $16,300 | 0.38x |
| 21 | [Liberty University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/liberty-university) | Lynchburg, VA | 64% | $44,813 | $29,357 | $24,500 | 0.55x |
| 22 | [Brigham Young University-Idaho](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brigham-young-university-idaho) | Rexburg, ID | 55% | $53,406 | $8,221 | $13,969 | 0.26x |
| 23 | [West Los Angeles College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/west-los-angeles-college) | Culver City, CA | 24% | $38,537 | $9,634 | $13,500 | 0.35x |
| 24 | [Maryville University of Saint Louis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/maryville-university-of-saint-louis) | Saint Louis, MO | 69% | $62,105 | $22,066 | $22,000 | 0.35x |
| 25 | [Buena Vista University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/buena-vista-university) | Storm Lake, IA | 54% | $49,156 | $18,846 | $25,000 | 0.51x |
| 26 | [Mayville State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mayville-state-university) | Mayville, ND | 40% | $47,828 | $11,456 | $18,585 | 0.39x |
| 27 | [Virginia Union University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/virginia-union-university) | Richmond, VA | 39% | $38,275 | $13,235 | $29,000 | 0.76x |
| 28 | [Livingstone College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/livingstone-college) | Salisbury, NC | 26% | $32,600 | $13,479 | $31,125 | 0.95x |
| 29 | [McMurry University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcmurry-university) | Abilene, TX | 41% | $48,779 | $19,581 | $27,000 | 0.55x |
| 30 | [Spring Arbor University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/spring-arbor-university) | Spring Arbor, MI | 61% | $51,732 | $19,353 | $26,375 | 0.51x |
| 31 | [Indiana University-East](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/indiana-university-east) | Richmond, IN | 42% | $47,156 | $8,134 | $18,000 | 0.38x |
| 32 | [Arkansas State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arkansas-state-university) | Jonesboro, AR | 55% | $42,617 | $12,366 | $20,500 | 0.48x |
| 33 | [Central State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/central-state-university) | Wilberforce, OH | 24% | $33,267 | $13,096 | $30,739 | 0.92x |
| 34 | [University of North Carolina at Pembroke](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-north-carolina-at-pembroke) | Pembroke, NC | 44% | $43,407 | $10,260 | $25,000 | 0.58x |
| 35 | [University of West Florida](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-florida) | Pensacola, FL | 60% | $49,137 | $9,364 | $16,624 | 0.34x |
| 36 | [SUNY College of Technology at Canton](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-college-of-technology-at-canton) | Canton, NY | 41% | $47,860 | $15,268 | $20,000 | 0.42x |
| 37 | [Wilmington University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wilmington-university) | New Castle, DE | 21% | $53,844 | $15,644 | $20,000 | 0.37x |
| 38 | [The University of Texas Permian Basin](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-permian-basin) | Odessa, TX | 42% | $56,073 | $12,723 | $17,750 | 0.32x |
| 39 | [Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/georgia-institute-of-technology-main-campus) | Atlanta, GA | 93% | $102,772 | $12,116 | $21,672 | 0.21x |
| 40 | [University of St Francis](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-st-francis) | Joliet, IL | 66% | $63,926 | $13,006 | $21,079 | 0.33x |
| 41 | [Eastern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/eastern-university) | Saint Davids, PA | 55% | $51,655 | $26,662 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 42 | [MiraCosta College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/miracosta-college) | Oceanside, CA | 41% | $43,845 | $7,339 | $9,000 | 0.21x |
| 43 | [University of West Georgia](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-west-georgia) | Carrollton, GA | 43% | $49,587 | $12,786 | $23,970 | 0.48x |
| 44 | [Emporia State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emporia-state-university) | Emporia, KS | 55% | $47,601 | $16,261 | $19,500 | 0.41x |
| 45 | [Northern Kentucky University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northern-kentucky-university) | Highland Heights, KY | 50% | $50,220 | $8,191 | $23,000 | 0.46x |
| 46 | [Park University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/park-university) | Parkville, MO | 34% | $56,309 | $21,032 | $21,685 | 0.39x |
| 47 | [University of Maine at Augusta](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-maine-at-augusta) | Augusta, ME | 25% | $40,342 | $10,924 | $22,734 | 0.56x |
| 48 | [Cottey College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cottey-college) | Nevada, MO | 59% | $35,422 | $13,805 | $19,043 | 0.54x |
| 49 | [University of Hawaii-West Oahu](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-hawaii-west-oahu) | Kapolei, HI | 48% | $52,075 | $10,327 | $14,500 | 0.28x |
| 50 | [Bay Mills Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bay-mills-community-college) | Brimley, MI | 30% | $30,048 | $3,073 | N/A | N/A |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Most Affordable Online Master's in Public Administration." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-06-12. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-online-masters-public-administration

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.