Pave a New Path in the Public Sector
MPA Careers by the Numbers
27%
percent after completing the program.2
$67,767
Average MPA graduate salary3

The path to public good is personal and varies for each individual, but Master of Public Administration careers and others in the nonprofit sector present incredible opportunities to identify specific needs in a community and find ways to solve them. A Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Nonprofit Management or an advanced degree like a Master of Public Administration (MPA) demonstrates your pursuit of advanced knowledge, desire to lead, and a set of professional skills needed to succeed in a variety of public service and nonprofit roles.

So why not set yourself on the path for career growth and real impact? Join a growing field that lets you create social change for the common good within communities, families and individual lives.

Study alongside and form deep connections with a diverse group of peers from a wide range of professional backgrounds. Allow your preconceptions to be challenged and your knowledge base broadened, as your classmates demonstrate how public administration jobs function across different sectors and fields. Lead the charge toward change and greater good by building the skills and confidence to succeed in a number of public administration careers, as well as nonprofit management roles, with Kent State’s online graduate programs.

Because master’s degree holders earn, on average, nearly 20 percent more in salary than those with only a bachelor’s degree,1 a Master of Public Administration degree could help you reach salary outcomes at or near the upper end of these ranges.

Salary ranges for key Master of Public Administration careers:
$45K-$171K
Executive director4
$38K-$78K
Program manager, nonprofit7
$56K-$137K
Human resources director5
$33K-$60K
Program coordinator, nonprofit8
$43K-$103K
Director of development, nonprofit6
What Can You Do with an MPA?

Government Career Paths

With nearly 22 million jobs in the U.S.,9 the government is the largest collective employer of MPA graduates.10 MPA graduates can go on to pursue jobs—at all levels of government—that include:

  • City manager
  • Public works director
  • Chief of police
  • Government program manager
  • Urban or regional planner
  • Social and community service manager
  • Chief librarian
  • Grants coordinator

Popular Cities for MPA Graduate1

  • New York City
  • Washington, D.C.
  • Seattle
  • Atlanta
  • Chicago

Nonprofit Career Paths

At 12.4 million people strong,11 the American nonprofit sector is a robust market. Online graduates of the master’s program or the nonprofit management certificate program can go on to pursue nonprofit jobs that include:

  • Director of advancement
  • Director of development
  • Executive director
  • Program director
  • Services director
  • Development manager
  • Grants coordinator

Employment Rates Within Six Months of Graduation, By Sector10

  • Government (all levels): 49%
  • Nonprofit sector: 23%
  • Private sector: 17%
  • Military: 4%
  • Other: 7%
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Balancing work, family, and personal commitments while pursuing a graduate degree can feel overwhelming for professionals looking to advance their careers in public service. However, with Kent State University’s 100% online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, achieving your career goals is not only possible but also convenient and flexible.
In today’s complex and evolving landscape, public service professionals are needed more than ever to address societal challenges, shape policies, and lead organizations that serve communities effectively. Whether your passion lies in government, nonprofit management, or the private sector with a focus on public service, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) can be your key to unlocking a wide range of leadership opportunities.
Public service is a broad field that encompasses both government agencies and nonprofit organizations, each playing a crucial role in addressing societal needs and improving communities. Although both sectors aim to serve the public good, they operate under distinct models that shape their impact and leadership challenges.

Sources

1. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/data-on-display/education-pays.htm
Based on a limited sample of self-reported data from Kent State alumni from graduating cohorts between 2016-2020.
2. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Public_Administration_(MPA)/Salary
3. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from payscale.com/research/US/Job=Executive_Director/Salary
4. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from payscale.com/research/US/Job=Human_Resources_(HR)_Director/Salary
5. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from payscale.com/research/US/Job=Director_of_Development%2C_Non-Profit_Organization/Salary
6. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from payscale.com/research/US/Job=Program_Manager%2c_Non-Profit_Organization/Salary
7. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from payscale.com/research/US/Job=Program_Coordinator%2c_Non-Profit_Organization/Salary
8. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from www.bls.gov/oes/current/999001.htm
9. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from naspaa.org/sites/default/files/docs/2019-10/2019%20NASPAA%20Annual%20Data%20Report.pdf
10. Retrieved on November 5, 2020, from www.bls.gov/bdm/nonprofits/nonprofits.htm

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