Masters in Public Administration in USA: Top Universities, Scholarships, Eligibility, and Job Outcomes

Highlights:

• Popular Universities: The best universities for Masters in Public Administration in USA are Barry University, Syracuse University, New York University, Harvard University, and the University of Pennsylvania.
• Intakes: The maximum number of intakes for MPA in USA takes place in the fall semester, and spring semester.
• Tuition Fees and Cost of Living: The average yearly tuition fee for studying MPA in the United States is between 24,628 USD (20 lakhs INR) to 89,404 USD (74 lakhs INR). The cost of living in the USA is high, and it would cost around 41,165 USD (34 Lakhs) yearly.
• Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for MPA in USA, students need to have a GPA over 3.0, have an ELP score above 100 in TOEFL, submit LORs and SOPS, and have prior work experience in a related field.
• Job Roles and Top Recruiters: Some of the most popular job roles for MPA graduates are as public affairs specialist, data analyst, public relations manager, HR manager, and environmental consultant. The top recruiters include companies like Google, CNN, Cisco, etc.
• Work Permit Visa in USA: After course completion, students are eligible to apply for an H-1B visa. This is a temporary work permit visa allowing a candidate to live and work in USA for 3 years.

Masters in Public Administration in USA is a course that has tremendous scope, as it is curated to teach students about leadership roles within private, public, and nonprofit agencies. MPA graduates are often well-versed in a variety of fields, including policy, law, business, finance, and management. As an aspirant, to study in USA you are required to fulfill some basic requirements:

• GPA above 3.0
• The minimum score range of ELP like TOEFL iBT - 71–100, IELTS - 6.0–7.0
• 1-2 page long SOP
• Submission of 2-3 LORs
• Submission of prior academic transcripts
• Proof of prior work experience
• CV
• Financial statement

The average annual tuition fee range for MPA in USA is between 24,628 USD (20 Lakhs INR)- 89,404 (74 Lakhs INR). Best MPA programs in USA are offered by universities like Harvard, Arizona State University, New York University, UPenn, etc. After graduating with an MPA degree students can earn up to 75,496 USD ( 62 Lakhs), per annum. Some top recruiters include companies like Google, Mercedes-Benz USA, CISCO, and DreamWorks Animation.

ROI for MPA in USA universities is above 100% at most top universities for international students. The reason behind such a high return on investment is the affordable fee structure of the MPA program at most universities. Universities that provide the highest ROI’s are as follows:

• University of Alabama
• Barry University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Syracuse University
• Arizona State University

MPA in USA Top Specializations

Masters of Public Administration in the United States is a full-time master's degree program. The course offers students the chance to choose from several specialization topics. Listed below are some of the most famous specializations of MPA in USA universities:

• 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

Best Universities for Masters in Public Administration in USA

MPA in USA universities is a much-coveted degree, and universities like Harvard, UPenn, etc also offer the course to both international and domestic students. The table below shows some top universities in USA offering Masters in Public Administration courses. Also the Best MPA programs in USA and their fees are tabuated below.

Admission for Masters in Public Administration in USA

The admission process for Masters of Public Administration in the United States is nearly identical across all universities. To be admitted to a Master of Public Policy USA program, students must meet certain basic admission requirements. The next section talks about these requirements and also US visa requirements for students in detail.

Documents Required for USA Student Visa

Students from overseas who accept an admission offer from a US university can apply for an F-1 or J-1 visa. To be eligible for either of these student visas for their top MPA programs in USA, international students must demonstrate the following:

• Proof of equivalent academic documents.
• Results of the TOEFL/IELTS/PTE examination
• Financial resources for their course of study.
• Admission confirmation letter
• SOP for US student visa
• MRV fee receipt

Eligibility Criteria

Best MPA programs USA require students to submit GRE/GMAT scores and also LORs and SOPs. Some universities also look for work experience. Given below are the necessary admission requirements for admission to Masters in Public Administration in USA.

• Academic Degree- Undergraduate degree from a recognized university.
• Minimum GPA: Ranging between 2.5–3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• GRE or GMAT Score: GRE and GMAT scores are optional in different universities.
• English Proficiency Test Score: TOEFL iBT - 71–100, IELTS - 6.0–7.0
• Statement of Purpose/Essay: A 1-2 page long statement highlighting your achievements, qualifications, and your reason to pursue the degree.
• Letters of Recommendation
• Highlight your work experience

MPA Score Requirements

The table below showcases all the admission requirements for various specific universities in USA.

Cost of Living in USA

The cost of living in USA comprises the accommodation expenses, meals, transportation, health expenses, miscellaneous expenses, and personal expenses. The table below shows an average idea of these expenses for an international student living in USA.