Masters in Public Administration Programs in the State of Washington

Introduction

Obtaining a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) in the State of Washington can be a rewarding experience, especially given the state’s robust public sector and commitment to environmental and social issues. In total, there are 5 educational institutions that offer a Master’s degree in Public Administration in the State of Seattle.

Pursuing an MPA in Washington can thus open up a range of career opportunities in the public sector, with the chance to make a positive impact on local communities and the environment. Career opportunities in Washington’s public sector include roles in state agencies, ranging from policy analysis to program management.

Key State Takeaways:

• Total MPA Programs Statewide: 5
• NASPAA-Accredited Programs: 3
• Annual Resident Tuition Average: $19,900 (PYR)
• Annual Non-Resident Tuition Average: $35,500 (PYR)
• Program Formats Offered: In-person, hybrid
• Average Starting Salary: $60,000 – $75,000

NASPAA-Accredited MPA Programs in Washington

For MPA graduate students attending a NASPAA-accredited school, this accreditation offers several benefits. Firstly, it provides assurance of the program’s quality and credibility, which can be important for prospective employers and can enhance the graduates’ professional reputation. Employers often value graduates from NASPAA-accredited programs because they are seen as having received a rigorous and comprehensive education in public administration. Of the 5 total MPA programs in the State of Washington, 3 of them are accredited by NASPAA. A detailed overview of these programs can be found here:

Non-Accredited Schools

Washington’s non-NASPAA public-service master’s pathways are worth a look if you need hybrid flexibility or specialized tracks in housing & homelessness, climate/salmon recovery, transportation, and civic data/tech. Regionally accredited programs that deliver hands-on projects with tribes, ports, WSDOT/Sound Transit, or city/county agencies can prepare you effectively even without the NASPAA stamp:

Institution	Location	Accreditation	Credit Hours	Modality
Evergreen State College	Olympia, WA	NCCU	60	On-Campus
Washington State University	Pullman, WA	NCCU	57	On-Campus

Career Outlook

Washington offers abundant public-service roles across state/local government, tribes, ports/transit agencies, and nonprofits—especially in growth management, salmon recovery, equity, climate, housing, ferries, wildfire, and broadband.

• GMA/SEPA Planner or Policy Analyst: Work on land-use and environmental review tied to Washington’s Growth Management Act and SEPA—from comprehensive plans to project-level analyses.
• Salmon Recovery / Fish Passage Program Analyst (WSDOT): Help deliver culvert corrections and watershed bundles that reopen habitat for salmon and steelhead.
• Office of Equity Program/Policy Manager: Advance statewide equity standards, language access, and agency performance through the Washington State Office of Equity.
• Environmental Specialist / Grants & Compliance (Dept. of Ecology): Entry and midlevel classifications support permitting, enforcement, and climate/clean-transportation grants.
• Ferry System Operations/Planning Analyst (WSDOT – WSF): Contribute to planning and service management for the largest ferry system in the U.S. (21 vessels; ~19M riders in 2024).
• Port Environmental & Sustainability Specialist (Port of Seattle/Tacoma): Roles span stormwater, habitat restoration, carbon strategy, and environmental compliance in a major port complex.
• Housing & Homelessness Program Specialist (Dept. of Commerce / Regional Authorities): Manage HMIS/data, grants, and provider networks supporting statewide housing and homelessness response.
• Wildfire Resilience Coordinator (DNR/local): Plan prevention, fuels reduction, and community resilience amid earlier, higher-risk fire seasons.

All MPA Programs in Washington

School Name	Degree Program Name	State	City	NASPAA Accredited	Online Degree	Program Link
Eastern Washington University	Master Of Public Administration	Washington	Cheney	No	Yes	https://www.ewu.edu/cahss/political-science-public-policy/public-administration/
Seattle University	Master Of Public Administration	Washington	Seattle	No	Yes	https://www.seattleu.edu/artsci/public-administration/mpa/
The Evergreen State College	Master Of Public Administration	Washington	Olympia	No	No	https://www.evergreen.edu/academics/graduate-studies/master-public-administration
University of Washington	Master Of Public Administration	Washington	Seattle	No	Yes	https://evans.uw.edu/
Washington State University	Master Of Public Affairs	Washington	Pullman	No	No	https://ascc.wsu.edu/channels/government-public-administration/
Gallaudet University	Master Of Public Administration	Washington	Washington	No	No	https://gallaudet.edu/public-affairs/master-of-public-administration/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What partnerships exist with tribal governments, port authorities, or WSDOT/Sound Transit?

A: Expect applied studios and internships with tribes, ports, and transit agencies where you analyze projects, grants, and performance metrics alongside practitioners.

Q: Do students work on salmon recovery or culvert replacement/watershed projects?

A: Yes—capstones often support watershed councils and transportation fish-passage programs, combining policy analysis with field data and stakeholder engagement.

Q: How are open-government requirements (Public Records Act/OPMA) and cyber/privacy taught?

A: Coursework covers PRA/OPMA compliance, records retention, and public-sector cybersecurity/privacy, with simulations on requests, breaches, and vendor risk.

Q: How is equity-centered design aligned with the State Office of Equity?

A: Programs use state equity toolkits, disaggregated data, and community consultation to embed equity analysis in budgeting, HR, and program evaluation.

Q: How is performance management and budget modernization taught for Puget Sound agencies?

A: Through hands-on KPI design, biennial budgeting labs, and priority-based budgeting exercises tied to real city/county datasets.