What it is
Public administration is the study of managing government agencies, public programs, and nonprofit organizations — policy, budgeting, operations, and leadership in the public interest. It prepares graduates to run the institutions that deliver public services.
What you'll study
The flagship credential is the MPA:
- UndergraduatePolitical science, public administration, or a related field
- Master of Public Administration (MPA)Public management, budgeting & finance, policy analysis, ethics, and program evaluation
- AppliedAn internship or capstone in a public/nonprofit organization
Concentrations & focus areas
- Public ManagementRunning agencies
- Policy AnalysisEvaluating policy
- Public Finance / BudgetingPublic money
- Nonprofit ManagementMission organizations
- Local Government / City ManagementCities & counties
- Program EvaluationMeasuring impact
Skills you'll build
- Management & leadershipRunning organizations
- Policy analysisEvaluating options
- Budgeting & financePublic resources
- CommunicationStakeholders & public
- EthicsPublic interest
Careers & job titles
- Public administrator / managerAgencies & programs
- City / county managerLocal government
- Policy analystGovernment & think tanks
- Program manager / directorPublic & nonprofit
- Nonprofit executive / directorMission organizations
- Budget / finance officerPublic finance
Job outlook & demand
Demand is steady, with management roles growing. Government and nonprofit sectors continually need skilled administrators, analysts, and managers; the MPA is the standard credential for advancement into leadership.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Pay varies widely by role and level of government. Entry analyst and coordinator roles are moderate; management and executive roles reach $100,000+ (medical & health services managers, for example, median ~$117,960; general managers vary). The MPA is the path to those leadership roles.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A bachelor's starts entry roles; the MPA is the flagship professional degree for management and leadership; a doctorate leads research and senior policy roles.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you want to serve the public, like management and policy, and prefer mission-driven work in government or the nonprofit sector.
Edge: pair the MPA with a concentration — public finance, policy analysis, or nonprofit management — to target the strongest leadership roles.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusManaging government, programs & nonprofits
- Flagship degreeMaster of Public Administration (MPA)
- CareersAdministrator, city manager, policy analyst, nonprofit director
- OutlookSteady; management growing (BLS)
- PayVaries; management $100k+ (BLS)
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: