Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 27 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration program at the school. 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 For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $48-$75k) 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 $48-$75k list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a public institution located in Edinburg, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 72 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley also took the #8 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 Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Full The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley 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 #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Laredo, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

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

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Tyler. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. The University of Texas at 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Tyler Public Administration Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTSA, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UTSA 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 $48-$75k 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 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610.

Read more about Public Administration at UT Dallas

Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in College Station, Texas, this large public school awarded 112 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas A&M University - College Station

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. UH is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 9 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 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 Houston are $18,689.

Full University of Houston Public Administration Report

#8

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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.

Texas State also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040.

Full Texas State Public Administration Report

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 For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 19 students 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

The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 84 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 $48-$75k list, UT Arlington has also earned the #3 rank 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 Arlington are $23,376, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Arizona is a large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 28 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 $48-$75k list, University of Arizona has also earned the #4 rank 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.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Arizona

#12

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 61 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UNT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNT Public Administration Report

#23 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Las Cruces, New Mexico. It awarded 7 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also took the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full NMSU Main Campus Public Administration Report

#14

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

With a ranking of #14, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Huntsville, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, SHSU has also earned the #22 rank 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.

Full SHSU Public Administration Report

University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. University of Phoenix - Arizona is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 123 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UOPX - Arizona also took 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Phoenix - Arizona

#16

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Lamar University is a fairly large public school situated in Beaumont, Texas. It awarded 2 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 $48-$75k list, Lamar University has also earned the #0 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 Lamar University are $15,699.

Full Lamar University Public Administration Report

#17

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

With a ranking of #17, Texas Tech University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 13 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 $48-$75k 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.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas Tech University

#18

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full NAU Public Administration Report

#18

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Skysong did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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 full report on Public Administration at ASU - Skysong

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFASU, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFASU are $15,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Stephen F Austin State University Public Administration Report

#20

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 48 students in 2019-2020.

UNM also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Mexico - Main Campus are $19,890.

Full UNM Public Administration Report

#21

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

Tarleton State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Tarleton State University is located in Stephenville, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Tarleton also took the #11 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 Tarleton State University are $15,485.

Read more about Public Administration at Tarleton

#22

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 $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 266 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Grand Canyon University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Grand Canyon University

University of Central Oklahoma came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Central Oklahoma is a fairly large school located in Edmond, Oklahoma that handed out 20 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCO, the school also landed 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 UCO are $17,913.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Central Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Oklahoma is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 masters’s 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. 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 Norman Campus Public Administration Report

#25

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

With a ranking of #25, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi is a public institution located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Corpus Christi are $15,683, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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.

Credits

Featured Public Administration Schools

Find Schools Near You