Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Lead change across government, nonprofit, and private sectors with Cornell’s Ivy League Master of Public Administration program.
The Cornell Brooks School MPA prepares future public leaders with the analytical, management, and policy skills needed to solve complex challenges. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, hands-on experiences, and access to Cornell’s global network, you’ll graduate ready to create meaningful impact wherever your career takes you.
Program Highlights
What Is a Master of Public Administration?
Build the skills to lead public impact.
A Master of Public Administration is a graduate degree designed for professionals who want to lead organizations, analyze policy, manage programs, and create solutions to society’s most pressing challenges.
At Cornell’s Brooks School, the MPA goes beyond traditional public administration training. You’ll combine policy analysis, management strategy, economics, leadership, and applied learning to prepare for careers across government, nonprofit organizations, international institutions, and mission-driven companies.
Through coursework, professional projects, and experiential learning, you’ll develop the skills to:
- Analyze complex policy challenges
- Design and evaluate public programs
- Manage teams and organizations
- Use data to support decision-making
- Lead across sectors
What Is a Master of Public Administration?
Is the Cornell MPA Right for You?
The Cornell MPA is designed for emerging and experienced leaders who want to create meaningful change.
You may be a strong fit if you:
- Want to influence public policy and improve communities
- Are interested in careers across government, nonprofits, consulting, or social impact organizations
- Want an interdisciplinary degree with customizable concentrations
- Value learning from leading policy scholars and practitioners
- Want access to an Ivy League network that extends across industries and around the world
Whether you are transitioning into public service or advancing your existing career, the MPA provides the tools and connections to help you lead.
MPA Career Outcomes
An MPA opens opportunities across sectors.
Cornell MPA graduates pursue careers as:
- Policy analysts
- Government program managers
- Public finance specialists
- Nonprofit executives
- Management consultants
- International development professionals
- Social impact leaders
Graduates work in:
- Federal, state, and local government
- Nonprofit organizations
- Consulting firms
- International organizations
- Mission-driven companies
Curriculum & Experience
An interdisciplinary MPA built around your goals.
Cornell’s MPA allows you to customize your education through seven concentrations while gaining broad expertise in public leadership.
Students develop expertise in areas including:
- Public and nonprofit management
- Policy analysis
- Social policy
- Environmental policy
- International development
- Government leadership
- Data-informed decision-making
- Public finance
Real-World Learning Opportunities
DC Externship Semester
Gain firsthand experience working with organizations in Washington, D.C., while building professional connections.
Capstone and Professional Projects
Apply classroom knowledge to real challenges facing government agencies, nonprofits, and organizations.
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Financial Aid & Scholarships
Invest in your future with Cornell MPA funding opportunities. Cost is an important part of choosing a graduate program. The Brooks School is committed to helping students access an exceptional public policy education.
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance
$83,741
(Includes tuition and fees and estimates for indirect costs such as housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses.)
Financial Aid Opportunities
Approximately 50% of MPA students receive merit-based scholarships, automatically considered during the admission process. A separate scholarship application is not required.
Additional funding opportunities may include:
- Federal loans for eligible domestic students
- Private education loan options
- Pipeline program-affiliated scholarships from organizations such as Teach for America, Public Policy & International Affairs Program (PPIA), and the Peace Corps.
Faculty Spotlight
Learn from leading public policy experts.
Cornell MPA students learn from faculty researching some of the most important policy challenges facing society today.
Salary Information
An MPA from the Brooks School opens doors to high-impact roles with competitive compensation. According to recent graduate data:
- Public Sector starting salaries range from $65,000 to $85,000.
- Nonprofit Sector salaries range between $60,000 and $80,000.
- Private Sector/Consulting entry-level roles start at $80,000 to $100,000+
Your earning potential grows with experience, and the transferable skills from this degree accelerate long-term career advancement.
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