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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k)

97 Ranked Colleges
3,117 Degrees Awarded
$7,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor's For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k” 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.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 3,117 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,303 and $24,501 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 97 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 97 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #1 spot on the list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 593 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $6,192 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration at Indiana University - Bloomington

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. John Jay is a fairly large school located in New York, New York that handed out 67 bachelors’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,108 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Read full report on Public Administration at John Jay

#3

Baruch College

New York, New York

Out of the 97 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Baruch College landed the #3 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 40 bachelors’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Baruch College is $4,201 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Baruch College

#18 in overall quality

Out of the 97 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #4 spot on the list. FIU is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 113 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $6,683 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida International University

Out of the 97 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #5 spot on the list. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,115 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Dominguez Hills.

The low student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 California State University - Dominguez Hills

#14 in overall quality

California State University - Northridge ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public admin degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also made our “Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,883 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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 full report on Public Administration at California State University - Northridge

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 93 degrees to qualified bachelors’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ohio State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $10,037 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Ohio State

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 40 degrees to qualified bachelors’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $6,100 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Public Administration at Cal State Fullerton

University of Central Florida came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 65 bachelors’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $7,847 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCF.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Central Florida

Brigham Young University - Idaho ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Brigham Young University - Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rexburg, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend BYU - I is $3,595 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%.

Full BYU - I Public Administration Report

Indiana University - Northwest landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Gary, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public admin degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for IU Northwest is $4,960 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indiana University - Northwest

#12

St Petersburg College

Clearwater, Florida

St Petersburg College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. SPC is a large public school situated in Clearwater, Florida. It awarded 45 bachelors’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for SPC is $3,182 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration at St Petersburg College

#13

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s public admin degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Franklin University is $11,992 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Franklin University

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 90 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $6,315 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration at IUPUI

#15

Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Fort Pierce, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 23 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Indian River State College is $1,475 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Indian River State College Public Administration Report

#16

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#24 in overall quality

San Diego State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 98 bachelors’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,594 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend San Diego State University.

The 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 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full San Diego State University Public Administration Report

#17

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

Stevens Point, Wisconsin

With a ranking of #17, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a public institution located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $11,433 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point

#18

Winona State University

Winona, Minnesota
#2 in overall quality

Winona State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Winona State is a medium-sized public school situated in Winona, Minnesota. It awarded 6 bachelors’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Winona State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Winona State is $13,606 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Winona State University

#19

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse

La Crosse, Wisconsin
#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and it awarded 24 bachelors’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - La Crosse also made our “Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for UW - La Crosse is $9,795 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Wisconsin - La Crosse Public Administration Report

#20

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Boca Raton, Florida, this large public school awarded 47 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $7,331 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Florida Atlantic University Public Administration Report

#21

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

Green Bay, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin - Green Bay did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Green Bay, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public admin degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UW - Green Bay is $11,641 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

#22

Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #22, Fayetteville State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fayetteville State University is a medium-sized school located in Fayetteville, North Carolina that handed out 12 bachelors’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,703 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Fayetteville State University.

Read full report on Public Administration at Fayetteville State University

With a ranking of #23, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UTSA is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 53 bachelors’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend UTSA is $11,109 for Bachelor’s Degree Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UTSA Public Administration Report

#24

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

With a ranking of #24, University of Illinois at Springfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Illinois at Springfield is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $8,323 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Public Administration Report

#25

University of Missouri - St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri

University of Missouri - St Louis ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMSL is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 7 bachelors’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $6,838 for bachelor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration at UMSL

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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