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2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

283 Ranked Colleges
12,512 Degrees Awarded
$22,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Getting Aid” ranking.

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 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 Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 283 colleges that offer a degree in public administration. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration programs, but they also 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

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 for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (With Aid)

#1

Baruch College

New York, New York
Top 15% in overall quality

Out of the 283 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Baruch College landed the #1 spot on the list. Baruch College is a public institution located in New York, New York. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 195 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Baruch also did well 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 College are $20,880, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Baruch College

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 283 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 287 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree public admin students with aid list, Harvard has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Harvard

Top 15% in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend John Jay College of Criminal Justice. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid. John Jay College of Criminal Justice is located in New York, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 210 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

On top of its placing in this ranking, John Jay also did well 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at John Jay are $20,962.

Full John Jay Public Administration Report

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 283 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 220 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW Seattle Public Administration Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 20 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 Fresno State are $17,581.

Read full report on Public Administration at California State University - Fresno

#6

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Top 15% in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 79 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill excels when it comes to public admin quality. 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.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Public Administration Report

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 75 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 California State University - Dominguez Hills Public Administration Report

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. The University of Texas 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 UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UT Rio Grande Valley

With a ranking of #9, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 24 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 Cal State LA are $17,723.

Read full report on Public Administration at California State University - Los Angeles

Top 15% in overall quality

California State University - Northridge landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 226 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, CSUN also did well on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at California State University - Northridge

Top 15% in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 125 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, CSULB is in the top 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 CSULB are $17,784, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at California State University - Long Beach

Top 20% in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Florida International University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 95 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on this list, FIU is in the top on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at FIU

California State University - Fullerton came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at California State University - Fullerton

#14

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#11 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Bloomington, Indiana, this large public school handed out 174 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at IU Bloomington

Indiana University - Northwest landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. IU Northwest is a small school located in Gary, Indiana that handed out 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at IU Northwest are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Northwest Public Administration Report

California State University - Stanislaus landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stan State are $18,540.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Public Administration Report

Texas A&M International University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Laredo, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas A&M International University Public Administration Report

#18

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 84 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 CSUSB are $17,936.

Read full report on Public Administration at California State University - San Bernardino

With a ranking of #19, The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Tyler, Texas, this medium-sized public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Tyler are $16,308, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Tyler Public Administration Report

Top 20% in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas at Dallas is a large school located in Richardson, Texas that handed out 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

On top of its placing in this ranking, UT Dallas 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610.

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

University of Alaska Southeast came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. UAS is a small public school situated in Juneau, Alaska. It awarded 25 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UAS are $25,017, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UAS Public Administration Report

#6 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 458 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Columbia University in the City of New York

#23

Franklin University

Columbus, Ohio

Franklin University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. Franklin University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 28 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Franklin University are $16,080, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Franklin University

Brigham Young University - Provo ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid list. BYU is a private not-for-profit institution located in Provo, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 71 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Brigham Young University - Provo are $7,510, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Public Administration Report

#25

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CCNY are $20,832.

Full CCNY Public Administration Report

Rest of the Best 43 in Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s For Those Getting Aid

Not only did these schools make the top 43 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#28

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia
#29

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#30

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#32

University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida
#34

Rutgers University - Newark

Newark, New Jersey
#35

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois
#36

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia
#38

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#39

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#40

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida
#41

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina
#42

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California

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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