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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

76 Ranked Colleges
3,743 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 16,905 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 60th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $51,352 and had an average of $29,054 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 3,743 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,873 and $30,563 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 76 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida International University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 262 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, FIU has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $7,292 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration at FIU

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $11,619 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

3
Florida State crest
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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 59 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $11,506 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Florida State University

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Central Florida. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 222 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

UCF also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $9,426 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Central Florida.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read full report on Public Administration at UCF

5
American Military University crest
American Public University System
Charles Town, West Virginia

Out of the 76 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, American Public University System landed the #5 spot on the list. Charles Town, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 88 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend American Military University is $13,536 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration at American Public University System

6
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. FAU is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 79 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

FAU also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Florida Atlantic University is $12,323 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at FAU

7
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Georgia is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 81 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UGA also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $15,037 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Georgia.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Georgia

8
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Indian River State College is located in Fort Pierce, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,511 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Indian River State College.

Full Indian River State College Public Administration Report

9
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of North Florida is $10,194 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at UNF

10
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Raleigh, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $14,424 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend NC State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full North Carolina State University Public Administration Report

11

With a ranking of #11, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of South Florida - Main Campus is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $9,669 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend USF Tampa.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full USF Tampa Public Administration Report

12
KY State crest
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, Kentucky

Kentucky State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Kentucky State University is a small school located in Frankfort, Kentucky that handed out 5 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Kentucky State University is $10,371 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Kentucky State University Public Administration Report

13

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Fort Myers, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FGCU, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida Gulf Coast University is $11,133 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at FGCU

14
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $18,372 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Virginia Tech

15
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Western Carolina University is a fairly large school located in Cullowhee, North Carolina that handed out 86 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

WCU also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for WCU is $14,701 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full WCU Public Administration Report

16
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Appalachian State University is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 40 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Appalachian State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Appalachian State University is $13,769 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Appalachian State University Public Administration Report

17
Clemson crest
Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Clemson is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 45 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Clemson also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Clemson is $20,797 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full Clemson University Public Administration Report

18
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, this medium-sized public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Fayetteville State University is $10,116 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Public Administration at Fayetteville State University

19
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Augusta University is a medium-sized public school situated in Augusta, Georgia. It awarded 20 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,276 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Augusta University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Augusta University Public Administration Report

20
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 40 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UK is $16,708 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Kentucky

21
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. NKU is a fairly large school located in Highland Heights, Kentucky that handed out 24 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend NKU is $9,505 for southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full NKU Public Administration Report

22
UNG crest
University of North Georgia
Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of North Georgia is a fairly large school located in Dahlonega, Georgia that handed out 17 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Georgia is $11,005 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full University of North Georgia Public Administration Report

23

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Greensboro, North Carolina, and it awarded 33 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UNC Greensboro is $13,214 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full UNC Greensboro Public Administration Report

24
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #24, James Madison University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 79 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region public admin students whose families make $48-$75k list, JMU has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for JMU is $19,216 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full James Madison University Public Administration Report

25
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 118 students in 2020-2021.

GMU also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for George Mason University is $19,066 for Southeast Region Public Admin students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full GMU Public Administration Report

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