Overview

The Public Administration programme at the University of Kansas is designed to equip students with the essential skills needed to address complex community challenges through effective governance. This bachelor degree combines rigorous academic theory with practical insights to prepare graduates for diverse roles within the public sector. Students engage with a curriculum that emphasises democratic values and ethical management practices.

Why Public Administration at the University of Kansas?

Choosing this programme means joining a school with a prestigious reputation and a long-standing tradition of excellence in public service education. The University of Kansas is consistently recognised for its high-quality instruction, currently holding a top 20 position for public affairs programmes according to U.S. News and World Report. Furthermore, the school is ranked 3rd in the nation for Local Government Management and 11th for Public Management and Leadership.

Students benefit from a supportive environment that fosters close relationships between faculty, alumni, and practitioners. The school’s commitment to diversity and social justice was recently honoured with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award from NASPAA. With a 100% placement rate for graduates within six months, the programme ensures that students are well-prepared to enter the workforce and make an immediate difference in their communities.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 30177 per year
National fee: USD 30177 per year
Local fee: USD 11298 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum provides a solid foundation in the principles of governance, policy, and community development. Modules may include:

Public Administration
Law and Society
Urban Planning
Public Management
Ethical Public Management
Local Government Management
Public Policy
Governance and Leadership

Careers with Public Administration

Graduates of the Public Administration programme are highly sought after for their ability to lead and manage within various levels of government and non-profit organisations. The programme's strong focus on local government management makes it an ideal choice for those aspiring to become city managers or department heads. The comprehensive training provided ensures that students can pursue careers in policy analysis, public health administration, and urban policy development.

The school maintains an active network of Jayhawk planning and public service professionals, providing students with access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities. Common career paths for graduates include:

City or County Manager
Public Policy Analyst
Non-profit Programme Director
Government Relations Specialist
Community Development Officer
Public Affairs Consultant

Programme Structure

Courses included:

Public Administration

Quantitative Methods for Public Administration

Hard Choices in Public Administration

Diversity and Social Equity in Public Administration

Administration of Justice
Nonprofit Accountability: Public Needs and Public Values

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-25 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-21 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-15 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-12-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-08-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-06-01 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

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IELTS

6.5

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Credits

120 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Lawrence, United States

Disciplines

Public Administration View 198 other Bachelors in Public Administration in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

6.5

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

A minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all previous coursework, including transfer coursework.
KU’s $90 application processing fee, payable by credit card.
English proficiency scores sent to KU by your testing agency.
Proof of high school graduation particular to your country.
Academic records. They can accept unofficial transcripts as part of the application, however, they must receive official transcripts before you enroll in an academic program.
If applicable: Educational Gap Statement. If, after high school, there was a period of time longer than three months that you were not enrolled in any educational program, you must write a short statement about your activity during that time. If you attended courses of any kind, include that information.
If applicable: SAT or ACT scores.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

30177 USD / year

≈ 30177 USD / year
Out-of-State

30177 USD / year

≈ 30177 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

11298 USD / year

≈ 11298 USD / year

Living costs

Lawrence

United States

900 - 1400 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Public Administration.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Lawrence

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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