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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

27 Ranked Colleges
1,379 Degrees Awarded
$18,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States. 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 Southwest region, there were 1,956 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,336 and $35,041 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 For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 27 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 72 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UT Rio Grande Valley also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Public Administration Report

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Tyler landed the #2 spot on the list. UT Tyler is a medium-sized public school situated in Tyler, Texas. It awarded 11 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Tyler not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Tyler are $16,308, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UT Tyler

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M International University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M International University is located in Laredo, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas A&M International University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Texas is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 61 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UNT

Out of the 27 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #5 spot on the list. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 112 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k 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 University - College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas A&M University - College Station

The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this large public school awarded 50 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UTSA

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Richardson, Texas, this large public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also took the #2 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 Dallas are $28,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at The University of Texas at Dallas

#8

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 28 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Arizona Public Administration Report

#9

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas Tech, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas Tech University

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UTEP also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest 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 UTEP are $16,180.

Full UTEP Public Administration Report

#11

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of Houston landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UH is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 9 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Houston

#12

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lamar University is a fairly large school located in Beaumont, Texas that handed out 2 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Lamar University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lamar University are $15,699, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Lamar University Public Administration Report

#13

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas State University is a large school located in San Marcos, Texas that handed out 33 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas State has also earned the #12 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 State University are $17,040.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas State

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Arlington, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 84 students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376.

Full UT Arlington Public Administration Report

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at NMSU Main Campus

#16

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. SHSU is located in Huntsville, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

SHSU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at SHSU

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 123 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at UOPX - Arizona are $17,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UOPX - Arizona Public Administration Report

#18

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, this large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

NAU also took the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NAU Public Administration Report

#19

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#17 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. ASU - Skysong is a large school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 14 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong also took the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Arizona State University - Skysong Public Administration Report

Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This fairly large school is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, and it awarded 6 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stephen F Austin State University are $15,695.

Read full report on Public Administration at SFASU

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCO is a fairly large school located in Edmond, Oklahoma that handed out 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UCO also took the #15 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 University of Central Oklahoma are $17,913.

Read full report on Public Administration at UCO

With a ranking of #21, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 35 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also took the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Oklahoma Public Administration Report

#22

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 48 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNM, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Mexico - Main Campus are $19,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Public Administration Report

#23

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

Tarleton State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Tarleton State University is a fairly large school located in Stephenville, Texas that handed out 17 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 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 Tarleton are $15,485.

Read more about Public Administration at Tarleton

#24

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. 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.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $0-$30k list, Grand Canyon University has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Grand Canyon University

#25

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k 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.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi are $15,683, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas A&M 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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