2010 Annual Survey (AY 2008-09 Data)

NASPAA's Program Glimpse information is based on information collected through NASPAA’s annual enrollment and degrees awarded survey. The survey is usually carried out in spring. Data collected reflect only that of survey-participating programs.

The following data are from institutional responses to NASPAA’s Fall 2009 Enrollment and Academic Year 2008-2009 Degrees Awarded Survey, administered by NASPAA in Spring 2010. The data reflect only survey-participating institutional members. Of the 268 NASPAA institutional members as of spring 2010, 189 responded to the survey as of July 1, 2010. Of the 189 responses, 185 were valid, giving the survey a response rate of 69 percent.

Program Enrollment and Degree-Awarded Ratio AY 2008-09

Degree Program Degree Awarded
(DegAwrd)		 Student Enrolled
(Enrl)		 Ratio % of DegAwrd/Enrl
Master of Public Administration 5,843 18,415 31.7
Master of Public Policy 923 2,593 35.6
Master of Public Affairs 424 1,261 33.6
Executive MPA 797 1,936 41.2
Other Master Programs 1,939 5,102 38.0

Notes on DegAwrd/Enrl Ratio

  1. The ratio of degree-awarded over total program enrollment is a proxy measure of the program's graduation rate. For a two-year program with 100% full-time student enrollment, the ideal ratio can be 50%. As the percent of part-time student increases, the ratio of degree-awarded over total program enrollment decreases. As a result, in interpreting the ratio, one needs to keep in mind the percent of part-time students enrolled in the program.
  2. Higher percent of part-time student enrollment and/or attrition all contribute to low degree-awarded/enrollment ratio.
  3. Executive MPA programs usually run shorter than two years.