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

80 Ranked Colleges
2,601 Degrees Awarded
$22,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region 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. 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 for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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

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 $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 80 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.

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.

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 in the Southeast Region 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. 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 $30-$48k

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

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

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 79 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at UNC 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 $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.

FIU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full FIU Public Administration Report

#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 $30-$48k. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 35 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida State, the school also landed the #11 spot 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State Public Administration Report

#25 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 28 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 $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #25 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 USF Tampa are $21,126.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Public Administration Report

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Central Florida. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Orlando, Florida, this large public school awarded 85 degrees 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 $30-$48k list, UCF has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCF Public Administration Report

#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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 29 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

NC State also took 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at NC State

#7

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#7 in overall quality

University of Georgia ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Georgia

#8

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This fairly large school is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky, and it awarded 26 masters’s public admin degrees 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

#9

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#1 in overall quality

Virginia Tech 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 $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 37 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 $30-$48k list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Virginia Tech

#10

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

With a ranking of #10, Augusta University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Augusta University is a medium-sized school located in Augusta, Georgia that handed out 39 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Augusta University are $20,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Augusta University

#11

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 15 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

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

Read full report on Public Administration at UNF

#12

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida
#24 in overall quality

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FGCU is a fairly large public school situated in Fort Myers, Florida. It awarded 22 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

FGCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Gulf Coast University are $31,216, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida Gulf Coast University

#13

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#16 in overall quality

Appalachian State University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Appalachian State is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 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 $30-$48k list, Appalachian State has also earned the #16 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 Appalachian State University are $21,439.

Read more about Public Administration at Appalachian State

#14

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia 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 $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dahlonega, Georgia, and it awarded 10 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNG are $18,354, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Georgia Public Administration Report

#15

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#19 in overall quality

Florida Atlantic University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida Atlantic University is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 13 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

FAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482.

Full Florida Atlantic University Public Administration Report

#16

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Greensboro is a fairly large public school situated in Greensboro, North Carolina. It awarded 13 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 UNC Greensboro are $21,918.

Full UNC Greensboro Public Administration Report

#17

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Charles Town, West Virginia, this large private for-profit school awarded 89 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

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

Full American Military University Public Administration Report

#18

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Clemson University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, this large public school awarded 43 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Clemson also took 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 are $23,246.

Read more about Public Administration at Clemson

#19

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, George Mason University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. George Mason University is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 61 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Mason University are $37,410, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at George Mason University

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chattanooga, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga are $18,334.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Public Administration Report

#21

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky

Kentucky State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. KY State is a public institution located in Frankfort, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, KY State has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kentucky State University are $12,650, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at KY State

With a ranking of #22, Arkansas State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Arkansas State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Jonesboro, Arkansas. It awarded 115 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 Arkansas State University - Main Campus are $11,586.

Full Arkansas State University - Main Campus Public Administration Report

#23

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

East Carolina University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. East Carolina University is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 11 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 $30-$48k list, ECU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $20,685, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at ECU

#24

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky

With a ranking of #24, Murray State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Murray State is a medium-sized public school situated in Murray, Kentucky. It awarded 24 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Murray State are $14,400, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Murray State University

#25

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina

With a ranking of #25, 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 $30-$48k list. UNC Pembroke is a public institution located in Pembroke, North Carolina. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Pembroke are $18,800, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of North Carolina at Pembroke 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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