An MBA focuses on business administration, specifically finance, marketing, strategy and operational management. An MPA focuses on public administration, specifically finance, public policy, organizational behavior and accountability.
An MBA is traditionally used as a means to attain managerial and executive positions in the private sector. An MPA is commonly used as a means to secure managerial and policy-making positions in the public or nonprofit sector.
Both the MBA and the MPA give students advanced perspectives on the functions of different human organizations, from small governmental agencies to multinational corporations. Both degrees emphasize the importance of statistical analysis in public- or private-sector management.
An MBA has a strong focus on finance and economics, while the MPA has a strong focus on policy and research. An MBA addresses the challenges of private management, while an MPA examines the challenges of public management.
An MBA typically takes two years to complete and costs an average of $70,000 to $100,000. An MPA typically takes two years to complete and costs an average of $60,000 to $90,000.