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2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

84 Ranked Colleges
2,601 Degrees Awarded
$23,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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 Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Administration is the 58th most popular major in the country with 17,269 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $48,859 and had an average of $42,077 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 3,557 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,345 and $43,969 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,601 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 84 colleges that offered 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.

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

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 for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

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 for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #1 spot on the list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large public school situated in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It awarded 79 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Public Administration Report

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school handed out 95 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at FIU

#3

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 35 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida State

Out of the 84 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Central Florida landed the #4 spot on the list. UCF is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 85 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Florida are $28,657, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at UCF

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 28 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USF Tampa, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full USF Tampa Public Administration Report

#6

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 29 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NC State Public Administration Report

#7

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school awarded 66 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UGA also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Georgia

#8

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #8, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Virginia Tech

#9

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Kentucky University is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Kentucky University are $17,358, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at NKU

#10

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

With a ranking of #10, University of North Florida did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this fairly large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNF are $21,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UNF

#11

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Appalachian State University is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 35 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Appalachian State also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian State are $21,439.

Read full report on Public Administration at Appalachian State

#12

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Florida Gulf Coast University is a public institution located in Fort Myers, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 22 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

FGCU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FGCU are $31,216.

Read more about Public Administration at FGCU

#13

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Augusta University is a medium-sized school located in Augusta, Georgia that handed out 39 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Augusta University are $20,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Augusta University

#14

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

With a ranking of #14, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida Atlantic University is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 13 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

FAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at FAU

#15

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Greensboro, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

#16

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Clemson, South Carolina, this large public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Clemson has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson University are $23,246.

Full Clemson Public Administration Report

#17

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

American Public University System ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Charles Town, West Virginia, and it awarded 89 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at American Public University System are $7,050, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full American Public University System Public Administration Report

#18

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. University of North Georgia is located in Dahlonega, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Georgia are $18,354, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of North Georgia

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Chattanooga is a fairly large school located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that handed out 12 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Chattanooga are $18,334, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Chattanooga Public Administration Report

With a ranking of #20, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 19 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 Louisiana State University are $29,970.

Read full report on Public Administration at Louisiana State University

#21

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, East Carolina University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

ECU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $20,685.

Full ECU Public Administration Report

#22

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. George Mason University is a large school located in Fairfax, Virginia that handed out 61 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at George Mason University are $37,410, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full GMU Public Administration Report

#23

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Carolina University is a public institution located in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Carolina University are $17,821, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Western Carolina University Public Administration Report

#24

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Pembroke landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pembroke, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Pembroke are $18,800, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of North Carolina at Pembroke

#25

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#22 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. UofSC is a large school located in Columbia, South Carolina that handed out 9 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UofSC are $30,160, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at UofSC

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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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