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2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

84 Ranked Colleges
2,601 Degrees Awarded
$23,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 47th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 3,557 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,601 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 84 colleges that offer a degree in public administration. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The public admin school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 79 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 95 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at FIU

#3

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school handed out 35 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Florida State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Florida State

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Central Florida landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school awarded 85 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UCF also took the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCF Public Administration Report

#25 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Tampa, Florida, this large public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa also took the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#6

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 29 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full North Carolina State University Public Administration Report

#7

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#7 in overall quality

University of Georgia came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 66 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UGA Public Administration Report

#8

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#1 in overall quality

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547.

Read more about Public Administration at Virginia Tech

#9

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, this fairly large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NKU are $17,358, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northern Kentucky University Public Administration Report

#10

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #10, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Florida is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Florida are $21,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Florida Public Administration Report

#11

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 35 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Appalachian State also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian State University are $21,439, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Appalachian State

#12

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Fort Myers, Florida, and it awarded 22 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

FGCU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Gulf Coast University are $31,216, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida Gulf Coast University Public Administration Report

#13

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Augusta, Georgia, and it awarded 39 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Augusta University are $20,712.

Read full report on Public Administration at Augusta University

#14

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#19 in overall quality

Florida Atlantic University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida Atlantic University is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 13 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, FAU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at FAU

#15

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 13 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UNC Greensboro

#16

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#3 in overall quality

Clemson University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Clemson is a public institution located in Clemson, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clemson, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson University are $23,246.

Read more about Public Administration at Clemson

#17

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. American Military University is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 89 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at American Military University are $7,050, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at American Public University System

#18

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. UNG is a fairly large school located in Dahlonega, Georgia that handed out 10 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNG are $18,354, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNG Public Administration Report

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Chattanooga is a public institution located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga are $18,334, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Chattanooga Public Administration Report

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College are $29,970.

Full Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Public Administration Report

#21

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

East Carolina University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ECU is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 11 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

ECU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at East Carolina University are $20,685.

Read full report on Public Administration at East Carolina University

#22

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#2 in overall quality

George Mason University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 61 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, GMU has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410.

Full GMU Public Administration Report

#23

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WCU is a fairly large public school situated in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Carolina University are $17,821.

Read more about Public Administration at Western Carolina University

#24

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina

With a ranking of #24, University of North Carolina at Pembroke did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Pembroke, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Pembroke are $18,800, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNC Pembroke Public Administration Report

#25

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#22 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Carolina - Columbia are $30,160, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UofSC Public Administration Report

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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