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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

80 Ranked Colleges
3,743 Degrees Awarded
$9,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools 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. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 80 colleges that offer 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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The public admin school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 60 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,729 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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%.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Public Administration Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida International University is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 262 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

FIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,882 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend FIU.

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

Full Florida International University Public Administration Report

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 $30-$48k list. Florida State University is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 59 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $7,349 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Florida State Public Administration Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Central Florida. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 222 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCF is $6,256 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at UCF

5
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Out of the 80 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida Atlantic University landed the #5 spot on the list. FAU is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 79 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

FAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,262 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.

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%.

Read more about Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University

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

With a ranking of #6, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 41 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $9,448 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.

Full North Carolina State University Public Administration Report

7
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend UGA is $10,688 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 University of Georgia Public Administration Report

8
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UNF is $6,074 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of North Florida

9

University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend USF Tampa is $5,632 for southeast region 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 92%. 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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of South Florida - Main Campus

10
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fort Pierce, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indian River State College is $3,595 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indian River State College

11
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 44 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $14,003 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Virginia Tech Public Administration Report

12

Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. FGCU 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. It costs about $7,969 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida Gulf Coast University.

The undergrad 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 more about Public Administration at FGCU

13
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Clemson is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 45 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Clemson not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson University is $16,650 for Southeast Region 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 undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Clemson

14
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 $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 40 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, Appalachian State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,940 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Appalachian State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Read more about Public Administration at Appalachian State

15
KY State crest
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, Kentucky

Kentucky State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend KY State is $5,910 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full KY State Public Administration Report

16
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k 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 $11,625 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration at Western Carolina University

17

South University, Savannah ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. South University, Savannah is a private for-profit institution located in Savannah, Georgia. The school has a small population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Public Administration at South University, Savannah

18
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Fayetteville State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Fayetteville, North Carolina. It awarded 12 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fayetteville State University is $6,605 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Fayetteville State University Public Administration Report

19
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. NKU is a fairly large school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 24 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NKU is $5,947 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full NKU Public Administration Report

20
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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 estimated yearly cost for Augusta University is $10,221 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Augusta University

21

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is located in Greensboro, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Greensboro is $9,190 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

22
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Harrisonburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 79 students in 2020-2021.

JMU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,985 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend JMU.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, 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 full report on Public Administration at JMU

23
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UK is located in Lexington, Kentucky and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UK also took the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kentucky is $13,424 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full UK Public Administration Report

24
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

With a ranking of #24, University of North Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Georgia is located in Dahlonega, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $8,654 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Georgia.

Read more about Public Administration at University of North Georgia

25

University of North Carolina at Charlotte came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 39 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UNC Charlotte also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #21. It costs about $13,226 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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

Full University of North Carolina at Charlotte Public Administration Report

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