Best Online Master’s in Public Administration in Texas

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An online master’s in public administration (MPA) provides you with the knowledge base and educational requirements to pursue or advance your career in public administration. Public administration professionals can balance career advancement with education through convenient online degree programs.

Finding an MPA online in Texas helps Texans find the most affordable programs at colleges and universities they and employers know and trust.

An online MPA prepares students for a variety of leadership roles in public sector and private sector settings. Graduates emerge prepared for jobs as legislators, community service managers, human resources managers, public relations and fundraising managers, and chief executives. The programs build on core topics, including local, state, and national politics, policy analysis, organizational leadership, fundraising. public health, and community development. Some programs include specializations in topics including policy making and change, community organization, and nonprofit leadership. Other programs are offered as part of an MBA degree, and build on business administration principles.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, public relations and fundraising managers nationally earn a median annual salary of $114,800. In Texas,50% of professionals earn over $110,000, keeping with the national status quo. Professionals in Texas can expect a job growth rate of over 18%, much higher than the national average for all occupations.

Professional certification for public administration professionals is not necessary, but is recommended. Popular certifications can be earned through organizations including Public Relations Society of America, CFRE International, and International Association of Business Communicators.

Social and Community Service Managers Career Prospects in Texas
Job Growth by 2026 14%
Annual Job Growth 2%
Average Wage (Mean):
$72,558
Entry Level Wage:
$44,000
Median Wage:
$67,528
Experienced Wage:
$86,837
Sources: the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages Report and the Texas Workforce Commission’s Texas Labor Market Information Employment Projections 2016-2026 Report

Find your online masters degree in public administration in TX

Study confidently at a quality institution in Texas where you know you will receive training relevant to Texas laws and regulations, and with attention to current affairs in Texas. Finding an online degree at a regionally accredited college or university will help ensure not only the acceptance of your degree by hiring professionals, but it will enable you to pursue an advanced degree should you someday want to take your education to the next level.

Here’s our list of online master’s degrees in public administration offered by regionally accredited colleges and universities in Texas. Sort to find the best, most affordable, and best value online colleges for MPA degrees.

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    1. Texas A&M University

      College Station, TX

      Program Score

      99

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 68,726 (3% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      Number of Online Programs 13
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $12,153 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Master of Public Administration 42 3-4 years
      See TAMU’s full list of online degrees!

    2. Texas Christian University

      Fort Worth, TX

      Program Score

      96

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 11,024 (2% fully online)
      Public or Private Private Non-Profit
      Number of Online Programs 17
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $49,250 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Executive Master of Public Administration 36 2-3 years
      See TCU’s full list of online degrees!

    3. Texas Tech University

      Lubbock, TX

      Program Score

      92

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 38,742 (10% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 99
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $9,300 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #1 Best Texas Online CollegeA Most Affordable Texas Online College #2 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Master of Public Administration 42 3-4 years
      See TTU’s full list of online degrees!

    4. University of Texas at Arlington

      Arlington, TX

      Program Score

      88

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 48,635 (39% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 34
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $11,040 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #9 Best Texas Online CollegeA Most Affordable Texas Online College A Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Master of Public Administration 39 2-3 years
      See UTA’s full list of online degrees!

    5. Sam Houston State University

      Huntsville, TX

      Program Score

      86

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 21,558 (17% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      Number of Online Programs 72
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,536 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #5 Best Texas Online College#8 Most Affordable Texas Online College#3 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Master of Public Administration 36 2-3 years
      See SHSU’s full list of online degrees!

    6. Stephen F. Austin State University

      Nacogdoches, TX

      Program Score

      84

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 12,969 (12% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      Number of Online Programs 41
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,844 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Top Texas Online College #10 Most Affordable Texas Online College#8 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Master of Public Administration 36 2-3 years
      See SFASU’s full list of online degrees!

    7. University of Texas at Tyler

      Tyler, TX

      Program Score

      83

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 9,617 (27% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      Number of Online Programs 27
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,742 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Top Texas Online College #9 Most Affordable Texas Online College#9 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly SchoolMilitary Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Master of Public Adminstration 36 2-3 years
      See UTT’s full list of online degrees!

    8. Lamar University

      Beaumont, TX

      Program Score

      82

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 15,460 (54% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      Number of Online Programs 43
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,494 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Top Texas Online College #7 Most Affordable Texas Online College#7 Best Value Texas Online CollegeAdult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      Disability Friendly SchoolFirst-Generation Student Friendly School
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Master of Public Administration 36 2-3 years
      See LU’s full list of online degrees!

    9. Texas Southern University

      Houston, TX

      Program Score

      78

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 9,034 (7% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Historically Black College and University
      Number of Online Programs 10
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $9,173 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      A Most Affordable Texas Online College A Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHistorically Black College and University
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      Executive MPA 36 2-3 years
      See TSU’s full list of online degrees!

    10. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

      Edinburg, TX

      Program Score

      73

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 29,113 (9% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 41
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $8,132 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolMilitary Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Public Affairs 36 2-3 years
      See UTRGV’s full list of online degrees!

    11. University of Texas of the Permian Basin

      Odessa, TX

      Program Score

      70

      TX Relative Cost

      Key Facts Answers
      Total Enrollment 5,283 (46% fully online)
      Public or Private Public
      USDE Special Government Status Hispanic-Serving Institution
      Number of Online Programs 19
      Accreditation Regional: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
      Average In-State Undergraduate Tuition $6,666 per year
      Net Cost by Income
      Source: National Center for Educational Statistics

      TexasOnlineColleges.com Awards

      #1 Most Affordable Texas Online CollegeA Best Value Texas Online College Adult Student Friendly School
      Experienced Online School
      First-Generation Student Friendly SchoolHispanic-Serving Institution
      Degree Credits Needed Completion Time1
      MPA - Master of Public Administration 36 2-3 years
      See UTPB’s full list of online degrees!

    Published: .


    An institution’s program specfic score is calculated with seven data points: (1) its student-to-faculty ratio, (2) its number of degrees an institution awards in the program's field each year, (3) its the graduation rate, (4) its the retention rate, (5) its the percentage of online students, (6) its concentrated Influence (a measure of the academic importance of a school), and (7) its desirability (a measure of how many students chose to go to an institution).
     
    For each data point, we score schools based on where they fall in the percentile distribution for that data point. Because our scores are based on local data and not tied to irrelevant national data, they accurately reflect an institutions’s value to the Texas student. Institutions with missing data receive a zero for that data point.
     
    We weigh each data point and calculate an institution’s raw score. Then we create an adjusted raw score by combining a schools's score with a base score of 50. Finally, we score and rank institutions based on their adjusted score’s percentile rank.
     
    Check out our detailed methodology here.

    We weren’t able to get all the data we needed for this institution. This score is based on the information they have reported.
     
    An institution’s program specfic score is calculated with seven data points: (1) its student-to-faculty ratio, (2) its number of degrees an institution awards in the program's field each year, (3) its the graduation rate, (4) its the retention rate, (5) its the percentage of online students, (6) its concentrated Influence (a measure of the academic importance of a school), and (7) its desirability (a measure of how many students chose to go to an institution).
     
    For each data point, we score schools based on where they fall in the percentile distribution for that data point. Because our scores are based on local data and not tied to irrelevant national data, they accurately reflect an institutions’s value to the Texas student. Institutions with missing data receive a zero for that data point.
     
    We weigh each data point and calculate an institution’s raw score. Then we create an adjusted raw score by combining a schools's score with a base score of 50. Finally, we score and rank institutions based on their adjusted score’s percentile rank.
     
    Check out our detailed methodology here.

    Focused on online colleges in TX, our relative cost score compares the average in-state tuitions of Texas schools. In general, Texas is slightly cheaper than the national average of $9,970 (according to The National Center for Education Statistics) for a degree at a public 4-year college or university. However, Texas is home to some of the most affordable colleges and universities in the US, and it’s most expensive schools are tens of thousands cheaper than the most expensive schools in the country.
     
    Check out our detailed methodology here.