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2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region

26 Ranked Colleges
1,379 Degrees Awarded
$17,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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

Across the Southwest region, there were 1,956 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,379 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region” ranking analyzed 26 colleges that offered 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Southwest Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 in the Southwest Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree public admin students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration in the Southwest Region

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #1 spot on the list. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 123 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UOPX - Arizona, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UOPX - Arizona are $17,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Phoenix - Arizona Public Administration Report

#2

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Grand Canyon University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Grand Canyon University is a large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 266 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand Canyon University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436.

Full Grand Canyon University Public Administration Report

#8 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Edinburg, Texas, and it awarded 72 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UT Rio Grande Valley

#17 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #4 spot on the list. ASU - Skysong is a public institution located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724.

Read more about Public Administration at ASU - Skysong

#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Texas. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region. University of North Texas is a large school located in Denton, Texas that handed out 61 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students list, UNT has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNT Public Administration Report

#1 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas A&M University - College Station is a public institution located in College Station, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 112 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students list, Texas A&M College Station has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Public Administration Report

#7

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Tarleton State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Stephenville, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 17 students in 2019-2020.

Tarleton also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tarleton State University are $15,485, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Tarleton State University

#3 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. This large school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 84 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Arlington, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Arlington are $23,376, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UT Arlington

#9

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#12 in overall quality

Texas State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #9. Texas State is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 33 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas State

#14 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Tyler landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. UT Tyler is located in Tyler, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Tyler, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. 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 The University of Texas at Tyler Public Administration Report

#5 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 35 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma are $23,236.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#15 in overall quality

University of Central Oklahoma did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #12. UCO is located in Edmond, Oklahoma and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UCO not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCO are $17,913.

Full University of Central Oklahoma Public Administration Report

#13

Texas Southern University

Houston, Texas
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Texas Southern University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. TSU is a medium-sized public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 47 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

TSU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #19. Average graduate tuition and fees at TSU are $13,221, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at TSU

#14

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Northern Arizona University is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 10 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489.

Full Northern Arizona University Public Administration Report

#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. UT Dallas is a large public school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UT Dallas

#16

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of Houston came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. University of Houston is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 9 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Houston

#17

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, Texas
#21 in overall quality

Wayland Baptist University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Wayland Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Plainview, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 59 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayland Baptist University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wayland Baptist University are $14,710.

Read more about Public Administration at Wayland Baptist University

#9 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #18. UTSA is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 50 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UTSA also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807.

Read more about Public Administration at UTSA

#19

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#18 in overall quality

Texas Tech University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas Tech University is a large school located in Lubbock, Texas that handed out 13 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students list, Texas Tech has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530.

Full Texas Tech University Public Administration Report

#20

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#22 in overall quality

Sam Houston State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. SHSU is a large public school situated in Huntsville, Texas. It awarded 15 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full SHSU Public Administration Report

#24 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #21. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTEP also took the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180.

Read full report on Public Administration at UTEP

#22

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school awarded 48 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students list, UNM has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNM are $19,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UNM

#23 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region list. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NMSU Main Campus are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Public Administration Report

Texas A&M International University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 9 masters’s public admin degrees 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

#25

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas
#25 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a fairly large public school situated in Corpus Christi, Texas. It awarded 29 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi are $15,683, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi 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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