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

275 Ranked Colleges
12,512 Degrees Awarded
$31,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Public Administration is the 47th most popular major in the country with 17,269 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 12,512 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 275 colleges that offer a degree in public administration. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

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

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 275 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #1 spot on the list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 287 students in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Harvard University Public Administration Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 85 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Northwestern

#3

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 62 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, UPenn has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UPenn

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 275 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #4 spot on the list. Columbia is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 458 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Columbia University in the City of New York

#5

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Johns Hopkins University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Johns Hopkins

#6

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#16 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 76 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Cornell University Public Administration Report

#7

Baruch College

New York, New York
Top 15% in overall quality

Baruch College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Baruch is a fairly large school located in New York, New York that handed out 195 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, Baruch is in the top on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baruch are $20,880, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Baruch

Top 15% in overall quality

John Jay College of Criminal Justice came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. John Jay is a fairly large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 210 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, John Jay is also in the top of our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at John Jay are $20,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

#9

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 15% in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 79 students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also claimed a top spot on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UNC Chapel Hill

#15 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 220 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Public Administration Report

#11

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 3 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

California State University - Fresno came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fresno are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Fresno State

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large school located in Edinburg, Texas that handed out 72 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

#14

Georgetown University

Washington, District of Columbia

With a ranking of #14, Georgetown University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Georgetown University is a fairly large school located in Washington, District of Columbia that handed out 5 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Georgetown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Georgetown are $53,591, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Georgetown

California State University - Dominguez Hills came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 75 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUDH are $17,884, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSUDH Public Administration Report

#16

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 174 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at IU Bloomington

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full California State University - Los Angeles Public Administration Report

Top 20% in overall quality

Florida International University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 95 students in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, FIU also did well on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full FIU Public Administration Report

Top 15% in overall quality

California State University - Northridge landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 226 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, CSUN is also in the top of our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Northridge are $17,955.

Read full report on Public Administration at CSUN

#20

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

With a ranking of #20, Franklin University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 28 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 Franklin University are $16,080.

Read more about Public Administration at Franklin University

Top 15% in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 125 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

CSULB excels when it comes to public admin quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at CSULB

#22

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#21 in overall quality

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMN Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

California State University - Fullerton landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Fullerton, California, and it awarded 21 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 California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Read more about Public Administration at Cal State Fullerton

#24

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northeastern is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 10 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern are $25,558, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Northeastern

#25

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 35 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 Florida State are $26,707.

Read more about Public Administration at Florida State University

Rest of the Best 42 in Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

Not only did these schools make the top 42 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#30

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#30

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
#33

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California
#34

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#35

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas
#37

The City College of New York

New York, New York
#38

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#40

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
#41

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

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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