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2022 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

34 Ranked Colleges
1,956 Degrees Awarded
$12,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 47th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southwest region, there were 1,956 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 34 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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. 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 Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. UT Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 72 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is $4,514 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at UT Rio Grande Valley

#2

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend South Texas College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. South Texas College is a large school located in McAllen, Texas that handed out 6 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for South Texas College is $1,174 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

Full South Texas College Public Administration Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M International University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized public school situated in Laredo, Texas. It awarded 9 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M International University is $3,074 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas A&M International University

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Tyler landed the #4 spot on the list. Tyler, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Tyler, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Tyler is $10,974 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration at UT Tyler

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 56 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Dallas, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $15,232 for southwest region public admin students with aid per year to attend The University of Texas at Dallas.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 more about Public Administration at UT Dallas

#6

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. San Antonio College is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend San Antonio College is $5,882 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration at San Antonio College

West Texas A&M University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Canyon, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 6 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at West Texas A&M University, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Texas A&M University is $12,761 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration at West Texas A&M University

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

UTEP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at El Paso is $8,920 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

Full UTEP Public Administration Report

The University of Texas at San Antonio ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 121 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UTSA is $13,853 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid.

Full The University of Texas at San Antonio Public Administration Report

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UOPX - Arizona is a large school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 165 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend UOPX - Arizona is $12,944 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration at UOPX - Arizona

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school awarded 133 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region public admin students with aid list, UT Arlington has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Arlington is $14,246 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration at UT Arlington

#12

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Houston is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UH is $12,838 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

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

Full UH Public Administration Report

University of Houston - Clear Lake ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. UH Clear Lake is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Clear Lake also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,612 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend University of Houston - Clear Lake.

Read full report on Public Administration at UH Clear Lake

#14

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas State is a large school located in San Marcos, Texas that handed out 72 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas State is $15,230 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid.

Full Texas State Public Administration Report

#15

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Lamar University is a fairly large public school situated in Beaumont, Texas. It awarded 2 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region public admin students with aid list, Lamar University has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lamar University is $12,311 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

Full Lamar University Public Administration Report

#16

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

With a ranking of #16, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 76 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UNT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Texas is $15,086 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

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

Full UNT Public Administration Report

#17

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Tarleton is a fairly large public school situated in Stephenville, Texas. It awarded 19 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tarleton State University is $18,979 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration at Tarleton

#18

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region public admin students with aid list, SHSU has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for SHSU is $14,617 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid.

Full Sam Houston State University Public Administration Report

#19

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

With a ranking of #19, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 133 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - College Station is $19,057 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 Texas A&M University - College Station Public Administration Report

With a ranking of #20, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend NMSU Main Campus is $8,659 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Public Administration Report

#21

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

With a ranking of #21, University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 48 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,446 for southwest region public admin students with aid per year to attend UNM.

Full UNM Public Administration Report

#22

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

With a ranking of #22, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 77 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region public admin students with aid list, University of Arizona has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $15,016 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Arizona Public Administration Report

#22

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona

Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 14 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #19. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Skysong is $13,971 for southwest region public admin students with aid.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Public Administration Report

#23

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. This large school is located in Lubbock, Texas, and it awarded 13 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region public admin students with aid list, Texas Tech has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $17,571 for southwest region public admin students with aid per year to attend Texas Tech.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas Tech University

Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Stephen F Austin State University is a public institution located in Nacogdoches, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,723 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend SFASU.

Full Stephen F Austin State University Public Administration Report

#25

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a fairly large school located in Corpus Christi, Texas that handed out 29 ’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,332 for Southwest Region Public Admin students with aid per year to attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

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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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