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2022 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

33 Ranked Colleges
1,956 Degrees Awarded
$8,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Southwest region, there were 1,956 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 33 colleges that offered a degree in public administration. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 72 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UT Rio Grande Valley also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UT Rio Grande Valley is $2,993 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Tyler. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Tyler, Texas, and it awarded 11 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Tyler is $6,797 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration at UT Tyler

#3

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, South Texas College landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in McAllen, Texas, this large public school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for South Texas College is $904 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration at South Texas College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M International University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 9 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M International University is $2,261 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas A&M International University

Out of the 33 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #5 spot on the list. University of North Texas is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 76 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNT, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNT is $8,521 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration at UNT

Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 133 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - College Station is $11,454 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 students.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Public Administration Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $10,516 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Full The University of Texas at San Antonio Public Administration Report

University of Houston - Clear Lake landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UH Clear Lake is a medium-sized school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 8 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Clear Lake, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston - Clear Lake is $4,517 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Houston - Clear Lake

#9

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend San Antonio College is $5,183 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration at San Antonio College

#10

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

With a ranking of #10, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 77 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, University of Arizona has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $10,562 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Arizona

With a ranking of #11, The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Richardson, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 56 students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Dallas is $10,857 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full UT Dallas Public Administration Report

#12

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,317 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas Tech University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas Tech

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is a large school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 19 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTEP, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,092 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at El Paso.

Read more about Public Administration at UTEP

#14

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UH is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 9 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,203 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Houston.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Public Administration at UH

#15

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas

West Texas A&M University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. West Texas A&M University is a fairly large public school situated in Canyon, Texas. It awarded 6 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at West Texas A&M University, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for West Texas A&M University is $8,730 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full West Texas A&M University Public Administration Report

#16

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 72 students in 2019-2020.

Texas State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $11,125 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas State University.

Full Texas State University Public Administration Report

#17

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

With a ranking of #17, Lamar University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Beaumont, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Lamar University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $9,200 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lamar University.

Read more about Public Administration at Lamar University

New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large school is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and it awarded 7 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus is $6,896 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration at NMSU Main Campus

#19

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SHSU is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,561 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SHSU.

Read more about Public Administration at Sam Houston State University

With a ranking of #20, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 133 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Arlington is $11,811 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration at The University of Texas at Arlington

University of Phoenix - Arizona ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large private for-profit school handed out 165 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $12,601 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Phoenix - Arizona

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SFASU is a fairly large school located in Nacogdoches, Texas that handed out 8 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,650 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SFASU.

Read more about Public Administration at SFASU

#23

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #23, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it awarded 19 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Arizona University is $9,251 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration at Northern Arizona University

University of Central Oklahoma ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Edmond, Oklahoma is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 26 students in 2019-2020.

UCO not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Central Oklahoma is $12,297 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration at UCO

#24

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Skysong is $12,037 for southwest region public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration at ASU - Skysong

#25

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

With a ranking of #25, University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 48 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for UNM is $13,242 for Southwest Region Public Admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus 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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