Best Public Administration Universities and Programs in the World
About Public Administration
Public administration is a multidisciplinary field that deals with the administrative services (in the form of policies) required to enable society to grow and prosper. The specialists in this field known as public administrators act as a bridge that connects the government and its people. They examine government policies to see if they are effective for the public and whether they can be implemented efficiently with the least amount of money and effort.
This field is perfect for anyone with people skills and administrative skills along with knowledge of government policies and how they work. The following article discusses public administrator duties, pay, and career possibilities. It also includes a list of the best universities in the area that provide a wide range of public administration courses.
Duties of Public Administrators
A career in public administration necessitates a strong sense of commitment to one’s community and a desire to help it grow. The following are some duties and responsibilities of a public administrator:
- Observe administrative and government regulations
- Develop and organize public policies and initiatives at the local, state, and national levels
- Research, plan and develop budget-friendly policies and programs
- Modify and improve the existing policies
- Collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data such as public documents, budget reports, and surveys
- Work with team members to develop and implement new policies and initiatives
- Periodically review the policies
- Inform other employees and stakeholders about the new policies
- Keep up to date with current advances in public administrative sector
Popular degrees for pursuing a career in Public Administration
A bachelor’s degree in public administration is sufficient for a wonderful career in this field. However, many students prefer to pursue a master’s degree in public administration since it equips them with the skills and expertise necessary to advance their careers in this field at the regional, national, and international levels. For those considering a career in academia, a Ph.D. in public administration is also an option. The following are some of the most popular degrees in this field:
Best undergraduate programs in Public Administration
- B.A. in Public Administration
- B.S. in Public Administration
- B.Sc. in Political Science and Public Administration
Best graduate programs in Public Administration
- M.A. in Public Administration
- MA. in Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration
- M.S. in Public Administration Practice
- M.Sc. in Public Policies and Administration
- MA. in Community Development
Best doctoral programs in Public Administration
- Ph.D. in Public Administration
- Ph.D. in Public Service Management
- Ph.D. in Research in Public Administration and Organisational Science
Specializations in Public Administration
Public administrators are the front-line employees and public servants who guarantee that government regulations and policies have the desired impact on the community. Public administration entails the management of both human and financial resources. It has several sub-fields that offer unique chances for specialization, including
- Policy studies
- Public management
- Budgeting
- Organizational studies
- Human resource management
- Homeland security
- Criminal justice
- Urband development
- Internal affairs
- Healthcare
- Public transportation system
Duration of programs in Public Administration
A bachelor’s degree in public administration can take three to four years to finish, depending on the university. In the Northern American region, four years is normal, but in Europe and the rest of the world, three to four years is typical. A master’s degree in public administration takes one to two years to complete, depending on the country. The following is a list of the durations of public administration degree programs around the world.
Country | Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree | Doctoral Degree |
USA and Canada | 4 years | 2 years | 4-6 years |
UK | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | 3-6 years |
Australia | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | 3-6 years |
Others | 3-4 years | 1-2 years | 3-6 years |
Career opportunities in Public Administration
A public administrator can work for the government, corporate sector, non-profit sector (charities and hospitals), or academic organizations in a range of roles such as ambassador, consultant, urban analyst, or lawmaker. The following is a list of potential career opportunities that can assist students to decide on their options after completing their public administration education.
- Public administrator
- Lobbyist
- Public worker
- Social worker
- Policy analyst
- Management analyst
- Consultant
- University professor or lecturer
- Urban planner
- City manager
- Lawmaker
- Government administrator
- Relations manager
- Journalist
- Mediator
Average salaries for Public Administrators
Although entry-level salaries in the field of public administration are very low, prospective students should consider specializing in the field to increase their earning potential. A master’s degree is typically required for leadership and management jobs in both government and non-profit organizations. A list of low-, average-, and high-income options in the field of public administration in popular countries around the world is as follows.
Country | Lowest salary in USD*/year | Average salary in USD*/year | Highest salary in USD*/year |
USA | 29,000 (Glassdoor) | 43,956 (Glassdoor) | 66,000 (Glassdoor) |
UK | 18,801 (Glassdoor) | 28,180 (Glassdoor) | 42,616 (Glassdoor) |
Canada | 26,661 (Glassdoor) | 37,671 (Glassdoor) | 53,323 (Glassdoor) |
Australia | 36,103 (Glassdoor) | 43,945 (Glassdoor) | 69,317 (Glassdoor) |
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.
Top 50 universities in the world for Public Administration based on academic rankings
QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
1 | 4 | 5 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
2 | 7 | 1 | University of Oxford | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
3 | 2 | 4 | Stanford University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
3 | 3 | 5 | University of Cambridge | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
5 | 1 | 2 | Harvard University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
8 | 17 | 18 | University College London | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
10 | 10 | 10 | University of Chicago | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
13 | 15 | 13 | University of Pennsylvania | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
14 | 11 | 9 | Yale University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
16 | 38 | 30 | University of Edinburgh | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
19 | 8 | 11 | Columbia University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
21 | 12 | 22 | Cornell University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
23 | 26 | 24 | University of Michigan – Ann Arbor | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
25 | 16 | 13 | Johns Hopkins University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
26 | 22 | 18 | University of Toronto | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
27 | 35 | 50 | University of Manchester | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
27 | 67 | 44 | McGill University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
27 | 76 | 54 | Australian National University | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
32 | 5 | 8 | University of California – Berkeley | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
35 | 47 | 35 | King’s College London | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
37 | 33 | 33 | University of Melbourne | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
38 | 69 | 58 | University of Sydney | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
40 | 14 | 20 | University of California – Los Angeles | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
42 | 27 | 26 | New York University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
43 | 65 | 70 | University of New South Wales | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
46 | 42 | 37 | University of British Columbia | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
47 | 51 | 54 | University of Queensland | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
49 | 151-200 | 27 | London School of Economics and Political Science | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
58 | 80 | 57 | Monash University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
61 | 101-150 | 78 | University of Warwick | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
75 | 31 | 58 | University of Wisconsin – Madison | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
85 | 19 | 29 | University of Washington – Seattle | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
85 | 201-300 | 137 | University of Auckland | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
90 | 101-150 | 1015 | University of Birmingham | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
92 | 101-150 | 127 | University of Leeds | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
95 | 101-150 | 110 | University of Sheffield | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
96 | 101-150 | 119 | Pennsylvania State University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
100 | 29 | 52 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
120 | 101-150 | 85 | Ohio State University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
126 | 101-150 | 125 | University of Alberta | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
151 | 151-200 | 189 | Cardiff University | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
186 | 40 | 86 | University of Minnesota – Twin Cities | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
230 | 201-300 | 162 | University of Ottawa | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
240 | 201-300 | 251-300 | Queen’s University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
290 | 201-300 | 201-250 | Griffith University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
298 | 301-400 | 201-250 | Simon Fraser University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
311 | 101-150 | 167 | Indiana University – Bloomington | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
330 | NA | 351-400 | University of London | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
355 | 301-400 | 201-250 | George Washington University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
494 | 301-400 | 401-500 | York University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
Top universities in the USA for Public Administration
Several overseas students opt to study in the USA because of the strong demand, and easy employment opportunities in the public administration sector. Of all the courses offered, master’s degrees in public administration are the most popular programs in the USA, with many universities offering them. Admission to master’s degrees in this discipline at top American universities generally requires the following:
- A bachelor’s degree in public administration or a similar discipline with a 3.0 GPA
- IELTS or TOEFL scores in English competence (acceptance score varies from university to university)
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
The table below is a list of top-ranked universities in the USA that offer master’s and bachelor’s degree programs in public administration.
QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
1 | 4 | 5 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
3 | 2 | 4 | Stanford University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
5 | 1 | 2 | Harvard University | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
10 | 10 | 10 | University of Chicago | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
13 | 15 | 13 | University of Pennsylvania | USA | Click Here | Click Here |
Top universities in the UK for Public Administration
The UK is well known for its strong stance on political issues and public affairs, making it a popular study destination for international students, especially in bureaucracy-related fields such as public administration. Many top universities in the UK offer specialized master’s degree courses in public administration, such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University College London, University of Edinburgh, and the University of Manchester. The fees for both master’s and bachelor’s courses in public administration in the UK are lower than those of American universities.
QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
2 | 7 | 1 | University of Oxford | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
3 | 3 | 5 | University of Cambridge | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
8 | 17 | 18 | University College London | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
16 | 38 | 30 | University of Edinburgh | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
27 | 35 | 50 | University of Manchester | UK | Click Here | Click Here |
Top universities in Canada for Public Administration
Canda has consistently been ranked as one of the best places to study because it provides a direct path to permanent citizenship, affordable education, a multicultural environment, and a variety of job opportunities while studying, all of which are desirable to many international students. Top Canadian colleges such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia, among others, provide high-quality, internationally recognized master’s and bachelor’s degrees in public administration. Students pursuing bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration can also apply for funding and scholarships at Canadian universities.
QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
26 | 22 | 18 | University of Toronto | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
27 | 67 | 44 | McGill University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
46 | 42 | 37 | University of British Columbia | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
58 | 80 | 57 | Monash University | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
126 | 101-150 | 125 | University of Alberta | Canada | Click Here | Click Here |
Top universities in Australia for Public Administration
Due to its high immigration rate and low living and study costs, Australia is a popular study destination for international students. The master’s in public administration is a popular program offered by top Australian universities due to the significant demand for public service courses around the country. In addition, the Australian government provides several job opportunities in this field. The following table contains a list of top Australian universities offering master’s and bachelor’s courses in public administration.
QS Ranking | Shanghai Ranking | THE Ranking | University | Country | Bachelor’s Programs | Master’s Programs |
27 | 76 | 54 | Australian National University | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
37 | 33 | 33 | University of Melbourne | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
38 | 69 | 58 | University of Sydney | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
43 | 65 | 70 | University of New South Wales | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
47 | 51 | 54 | University of Queensland | Australia | Click Here | Click Here |
Academic requirements for studying Public Administration
Since public administration courses are so popular in other countries, the competition for admission is fierce. As a result, students should have compelling statements of purpose and letters of recommendation. Applying through an international consult agency can save them time and money while also increasing their chances of admittance to their preferred university. Unlike other consultants, Gyanberry assists students with government and non-government scholarship opportunities. Students can apply via Gyanberry to expedite their admission to public administration programs around the world. The following is a summary of some general entrance requirements for public administration programs at top universities.
Bachelor’s level
- A high school education with a 3.0 GPA or above
- Academic transcripts
- Personal statement
- Letter of recommendation
- A valid passport
- English proficiency test scores such as TOEFL (90 and above) or IELTS (6.0 and above)
Master’s level
- A bachelor’s degree in public administration or relevant field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Academic transcripts
- Personal statement
- Letters of recommendation
- GRE score (varies from university to university)
- A valid passport
- Resume
- Work experience (preferable)
- English proficiency test scores such as TOEFL (90 and above) or IELTS (6.0 and above)
*Note: All prices mentioned in the USD are for reference only. Exchange rates may vary from time to time and from country to country.