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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

83 Ranked Colleges
3,743 Degrees Awarded
$8,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 16,897 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 49th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 3,743 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 83 colleges that offered 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public administration program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

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

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $3,753 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at UNC Chapel Hill

2

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #2 spot on the list. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 262 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $3,196 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida International University

3
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida State is located in Tallahassee, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Florida State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $4,950 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida State

4

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools 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 222 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

UCF also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Florida is $4,468 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full University of Central Florida Public Administration Report

5
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Georgia landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 81 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $8,303 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration at UGA

6
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

NC State also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $7,283 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC State.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at North Carolina State University

7
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 44 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $11,934 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration at Virginia Tech

8
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 79 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

FAU also took the #15 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $6,726 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University

9
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University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #9, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,367 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNF.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNF Public Administration Report

10

With a ranking of #10, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $4,176 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration at USF Tampa

11
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Appalachian State, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State is $7,354 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration at Appalachian State University

12
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Clemson is located in Clemson, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 45 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Clemson has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson University is $13,744 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration at Clemson

13
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and it awarded 86 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WCU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Carolina University is $9,305 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration at WCU

14
FGCU crest
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida Gulf Coast University is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FGCU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FGCU is $6,762 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Florida Gulf Coast University

15
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Fort Pierce, Florida, and it awarded 21 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indian River State College is $2,686 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indian River State College

16

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is a large public school situated in Knoxville, Tennessee. It awarded 7 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $10,433 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Public Administration Report

17
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

With a ranking of #17, Northern Kentucky University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NKU is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $4,632 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Northern Kentucky University

18
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 79 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

JMU also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for James Madison University is $14,288 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration at James Madison University

19

University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 33 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $7,645 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UNC Greensboro Public Administration Report

20
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fayetteville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fayetteville State University is $5,366 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration at Fayetteville State University

21
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augusta, Georgia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Augusta University is $9,740 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Augusta University

22

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University is a large public school situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It awarded 27 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University is $11,318 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Louisiana State University

23
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 40 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UK also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for UK is $12,593 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Kentucky

24
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. George Mason University is located in Fairfax, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 118 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GMU, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,781 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend George Mason University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Public Administration at GMU

25
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. East Carolina University is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 12 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,260 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Carolina University.

Full East Carolina University Public Administration Report

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