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Most Popular Online Schools for Public Administration

2026 Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools

There are 57 schools that offer a degree in Public Administration mostly online. The most popular online schools, by student demand, are below:

Today’s Public Administration students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You can choose a traditional brick-and-mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school halfway across the country without even leaving your house.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 57 schools in the United States offering mostly-online programs for Public Administration students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with mostly-online programs.

Check out the online Public Administration programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the United States.

#1

Liberty University

Lynchburg, VA

The most popular school in the United States for earning a Public Administration degree online is Liberty University. Liberty University is a private nonprofit school located in Lynchburg, VA. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 230 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 38% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $44,414. Read More…

University of Phoenix-Arizona landed the #2 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. Located in Phoenix, AZ, this is a private for-profit institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 228 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. Women make up 71% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $52,226. Read More…

#3

Walden University

Minneapolis, MN

Walden University comes in at #3 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Walden University is a private for-profit school located in Minneapolis, MN. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. This school awarded 202 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. About 63% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $76,759. Full Public Administration at Walden University Report

#4

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University landed the #4 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. Located in Phoenix, AZ, this is a private for-profit institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. This school awarded 173 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 65% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $62,543. Read full report on Public Administration at Grand Canyon University

#5

Columbia Southern University

Orange Beach, AL

Columbia Southern University comes in at #5 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Located in Orange Beach, AL, this is a private for-profit institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. This school awarded 160 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. About 31% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $68,574. Read More…

University of Central Florida comes in at #6 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Located in Orlando, FL, this is a public institution. Roughly 67% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 158 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. About 66% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $41,960. Read More…

Texas A&M University-College Station comes in at #7 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Texas A&M University-College Station is a public school located in College Station, TX. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 153 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. About 43% of the students earning this degree here are women. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $54,018. Full Public Administration at Texas A&M University-College Station Report

#8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #8 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. Located in Baltimore, MD, this is a private nonprofit institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 84 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. Women make up 64% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $89,069. Read More…

American Public University System comes in at #9 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Located in Charles Town, WV, this is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 82 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. Women make up 34% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $57,877. Read full report on Public Administration at American Public University System

#10

National University

San Diego, CA

National University comes in at #10 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. National University is a private nonprofit school located in San Diego, CA. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 81 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. Women make up 56% of the Public Administration students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $66,420. Read full report on Public Administration at National University

University of Missouri-Columbia landed the #11 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. University of Missouri-Columbia is a public school located in Columbia, MO. About 75% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 77 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. About 60% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $48,326. Full Public Administration at University of Missouri-Columbia Report

#12

University of Rhode Island

Kingston, RI

University of Rhode Island comes in at #12 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Located in Kingston, RI, this is a public institution. About 67% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 75 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. About 61% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $49,926. Read More…

#13

Anna Maria College

Paxton, MA

Anna Maria College landed the #13 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. Located in Paxton, MA, this is a private nonprofit institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 72 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. Women make up 15% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $61,575. Full Public Administration at Anna Maria College Report

#14

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University landed the #14 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. Arkansas State University is a public school located in Jonesboro, AR. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 71 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. About 59% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $45,510. Read More…

University of Maryland Global Campus landed the #15 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. University of Maryland Global Campus is a public school located in Adelphi, MD. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 69 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. Women make up 33% of the Public Administration students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $66,817. Read More…

#16

Purdue University Global

West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Global landed the #16 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. Purdue University Global is a public school located in West Lafayette, IN. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 65 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. Women make up 51% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $45,209. Read More…

#17

Park University

Parkville, MO

Park University comes in at #17 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Located in Parkville, MO, this is a private nonprofit institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 64 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 41% of the Public Administration students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $51,212. Read More…

University of Illinois Springfield comes in at #18 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. University of Illinois Springfield is a public school located in Springfield, IL. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 63 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. Women make up 62% of the Public Administration students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $45,024. Read More…

#19

Franklin University

Columbus, OH

Franklin University landed the #19 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. Franklin University is a private nonprofit school located in Columbus, OH. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. This school awarded 58 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 59% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $54,244. Read full report on Public Administration at Franklin University

North Carolina Central University comes in at #20 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Located in Durham, NC, this is a public institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. During the most recent year for which we have data, 55 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. Women make up 62% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $35,242. Read More…

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill comes in at #21 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Located in Chapel Hill, NC, this is a public institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 52 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 65% of the Public Administration students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $51,058. Read full report on Public Administration at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#22

Southern Utah University

Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University comes in at #22 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Located in Cedar City, UT, this is a public institution. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. During the most recent year for which we have data, 46 people earned their degree in Public Administration from this school. About 54% of the students earning this degree here are women. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $42,158. Read More…

California Baptist University comes in at #23 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. California Baptist University is a private nonprofit school located in Riverside, CA. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. This school awarded 45 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 56% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $47,533. Read More…

#24

Capella University

Minneapolis, MN

Capella University comes in at #24 on our 2026 list of the most popular online colleges for Public Administration majors. Capella University is a private for-profit school located in Minneapolis, MN. About 100% of degrees in Public Administration here are earned online. This school awarded 45 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 76% of the Public Administration students at the school. The median salary of the school’s graduates early in their careers is $79,233. Read More…

#25

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University landed the #25 spot in the 2026 edition of our Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking. Located in Norfolk, VA, this is a public institution. Roughly 100% of this program’s degrees are awarded to online students. This school awarded 42 degrees in Public Administration in the most recent reporting year. Women make up 79% of the Public Administration students at the school. Early-career graduates of the school earn a median salary of $46,400. Full Public Administration at Old Dominion University Report

#26

Wichita State University

Wichita, KS
#27

Troy University

Troy, AL
#28

Valdosta State University

Valdosta, GA
#30

The University of Montana

Missoula, MT
#31

Tennessee State University

Nashville, TN
#32

Upper Iowa University

Fayette, IA
#35

Excelsior University

Albany, NY
#36

Murray State University

Murray, KY
#40

Gardner-Webb University

Boiling Springs, NC
#41

Post University

Waterbury, CT
#42

Cumberland University

Lebanon, TN
#43

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, FL
#44

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, FL
#45

St Petersburg College

St. Petersburg, FL
#47

Albany State University

Albany, GA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that also deliver this program mostly online.

Rank College Location
51 University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA
52 Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX
53 University of New Hampshire-Main Campus Durham, NH
54 Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HI
55 Norwich University Northfield, VT
56 Regent University Virginia Beach, VA
57 Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, AR

View the Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools ranking for a specific region near you.

Region
New England
Middle Atlantic
Great Lakes
Plains States
Southeast
Southwest
Rocky Mountains
Far Western US

More Public Administration Rankings

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this Most Popular Online Public Administration Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.

Public Administration Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Public Administration 13,898
Public Administration, Other 53
Public Works Management 24
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies 18
Related Major Annual Graduates
Social Work 58,176
Human Services 11,674
Public Policy 6,183
Community Organization & Advocacy 2,651
Other Public Administration 518

References

*The average salary above is for the top 25 schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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