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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

83 Ranked Colleges
3,743 Degrees Awarded
$12,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Getting Aid” 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 Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 83 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.

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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 Getting Aid”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration in the Southeast Region (With Aid)

1

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #1 spot on the list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region public admin students with aid list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,469 for southeast region public admin students with aid per year to attend UNC Chapel Hill.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration at UNC Chapel Hill

2

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 262 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

FIU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,298 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend FIU.

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

Read more about Public Administration at FIU

3

Out of the 83 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Central Florida landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 222 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

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 $8,618 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national 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

4
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida Atlantic University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Boca Raton, Florida, and it awarded 79 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region public admin students with aid list, FAU has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend FAU is $10,735 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

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 Atlantic University Public Administration Report

5
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indian River State College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid. Indian River State College is located in Fort Pierce, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Indian River State College is $3,786 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration at Indian River State College

6
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 59 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Florida State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,946 for southeast region public admin students with aid per year to attend Florida State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 Florida State

7
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 40 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #20. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State University is $13,989 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Full Appalachian State University Public Administration Report

8
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. North Carolina State University is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. 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 $16,411 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

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

Full North Carolina State University Public Administration Report

9
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of North Florida is located in Jacksonville, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Florida is $8,865 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

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

10
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Virginia Tech is a large school located in Blacksburg, Virginia that handed out 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 estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $21,301 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration at Virginia Tech

11
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 81 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $14,257 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid.

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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at UGA

12
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 86 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

WCU also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for WCU is $13,924 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration at WCU

13

With a ranking of #13, Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. FGCU is a fairly large public school situated in Fort Myers, Florida. It awarded 25 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

FGCU also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $11,299 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend FGCU.

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

14
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and it awarded 12 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fayetteville State University is $6,969 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration at Fayetteville State University

15

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid 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 UNC Greensboro is $11,629 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

Full University of North Carolina at Greensboro Public Administration Report

16

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. 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.

It costs about $8,346 for southeast region public admin students with aid per year to attend USF Tampa.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of South Florida - Main Campus Public Administration Report

17
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Augusta, Georgia, this medium-sized public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Augusta University is $12,239 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Augusta University

18
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. American Public University System is a large private for-profit school situated in Charles Town, West Virginia. It awarded 88 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for American Military University is $10,563 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full American Military University Public Administration Report

19
KY State crest
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, Kentucky

With a ranking of #19, Kentucky State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. KY State is a small public school situated in Frankfort, Kentucky. It awarded 5 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,343 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend KY State.

Read full report on Public Administration at Kentucky State University

20
Tennessee State University crest
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Tennessee State University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $11,867 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Tennessee State University.

Read more about Public Administration at Tennessee State University

21
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JMU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $22,562 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend JMU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. 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 James Madison University

22
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $16,550 for southeast region public admin students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration at ECU

23
TROY crest
Troy University
Troy, Alabama

Troy University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. TROY is a fairly large school located in Troy, Alabama that handed out 76 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,992 for southeast region public admin students with aid per year to attend TROY.

Full TROY Public Administration Report

24
Savannah State University crest
Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia

Savannah State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Savannah, Georgia, this small public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Savannah State University is $10,157 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration at Savannah State University

25
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 118 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

GMU also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $19,551 for Southeast Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend GMU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 GMU Public Administration Report

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