2027 Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Public Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 49 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public administration students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Public Administration in the United States
These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in public administration, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Public Administration
Leading the list is Indiana University Bloomington, our #1 school for public administration. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 452 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $47,013. Typical student debt for the program is $20,731.
Read more about the public administration program at Indiana University Bloomington
Syracuse University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 61 public administration degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $53,912 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration program report for Syracuse University
George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fairfax. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. George Mason University awarded about 38 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from George Mason University earn around $56,674 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,106.
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James Madison University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #4. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 public administration students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $48,396 in their early career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans.
See the full public administration program report for James Madison University
California State University Fullerton is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 public administration students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $36,626 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans.
Get the full public administration details for California State University Fullerton
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #6 for public administration this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 12 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $68,911 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree.
Get the full public administration details for University Of Missouri Columbia
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #7 spot for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $37,792 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,250.
Get the full public administration details for Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
University Of Oregon earned the #8 position for public administration this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 72 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $39,365. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $16,166 in student loans.
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San Diego State University landed the #9 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. San Diego State University awarded about 48 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $41,020 in their early career. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
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Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #10 for public administration this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $41,650 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,887.
More information about a degree in public administration from Ohio State University Main Campus
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice awarded about 42 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $48,881. Typical student debt for the program is $13,895.
More information about a degree in public administration from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
University Of Maryland University College placed #12 among the best public administration schools. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. University Of Maryland University College graduates 20% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $74,053 in their early career. University Of Maryland University College graduates carry a median of $29,202 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Maryland University College
California State University Northridge placed #13 among the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 public administration degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $76,049 early in their careers. California State University Northridge graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans.
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Florida Atlantic University landed the #14 spot for public administration this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Florida Atlantic University earn around $46,047 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,804 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration from Florida Atlantic University
National University came in at #15 for public administration this year. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 public administration students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from National University generally make around $77,077. Typical student debt for the program is $31,603.
See the full public administration program report for National University
The University Of Tennessee earned the #16 position for public administration this year. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 12 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Typical student debt for the program is $22,859.
See the full public administration program report for The University Of Tennessee
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 42 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $45,471 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration from California State University Dominguez Hills
Western Carolina University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 117 public administration degrees were awarded at Western Carolina University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $56,445 early in their careers. Western Carolina University graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans.
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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis graduates 54% of students within six years. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 28 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $43,110 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full public administration details for Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
University Of Central Florida landed the #20 spot for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $38,681 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,453 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Central Florida
Miami University Oxford landed the #21 spot for public administration this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. About 11 public administration degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $45,278 early in their careers. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,731 in student loans.
See the full public administration program report for Miami University Oxford
University Of Kansas ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 10 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $58,188 in their early career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Kansas
University Of Arizona landed the #23 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 11 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $39,136. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000.
More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Arizona
University Of California Riverside landed the #24 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,187.
Get the full public administration details for University Of California Riverside
Central Michigan University came in at #25 for public administration this year. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. Central Michigan University graduates 59% of students within six years. About 14 public administration degrees were awarded at Central Michigan University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $46,301 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,500.
More information about a degree in public administration from Central Michigan University
Rest of the Top 49 Public Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public administration education:
Other Public Administration Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Public Administration rankings across degree levels:
View All Public Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 49 schools evaluated.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.