2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (With Aid)
277
Ranked Colleges
16,905
Degrees Awarded
$9,600
Avg Net Price*
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 Those Getting Aid” ranking - to help you make that decision.
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.
This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 277 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.
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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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 For Those Getting Aid
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration (With Aid)
Out of the 277 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, John Jay College of Criminal Justice landed the #1 spot on the list. New York, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 280 students in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, John Jay also did well on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The estimated yearly cost for John Jay College of Criminal Justice is $2,699 for public admin students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Public Administration at John Jay
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Baruch College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 208 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $2,264 for public admin students with aid per year to attend Baruch.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration at Baruch College
Out of the 277 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 170 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle also made our “Best Public Administration Schools” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $12,017 for Public Admin students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 Washington - Seattle Campus
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 115 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,743 for public admin students with aid per year to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Northridge. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Northridge is a large school located in Northridge, California that handed out 309 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
CSUN also claimed a top spot on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. It costs about $8,523 for public admin students with aid per year to attend CSUN.
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%.
Read more about Public Administration at California State University - Northridge
Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid list. IU Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 757 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for IU Bloomington is $14,619 for Public Admin students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration at IU Bloomington
Harvard University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 193 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard is $13,872 for Public Admin students with aid.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Public Administration at Harvard
California State University - Bakersfield came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 53 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,454 for Public Admin students with aid per year to attend California State University - Bakersfield.
Full CSUB Public Administration Report
With a ranking of #9, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid list. California State University - Dominguez Hills is a fairly large public school situated in Carson, California. It awarded 129 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $4,026 for public admin students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration at CSUDH
Rutgers University - Newark did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Rutgers University - Newark is a public institution located in Newark, New Jersey. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 139 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Rutgers Newark not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Rutgers Newark is $15,996 for Public Admin students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full Rutgers University - Newark Public Administration Report
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. California State University - Long Beach is a large school located in Long Beach, California that handed out 131 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on this list, CSULB is in the top on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for public admin students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Public Administration at CSULB
California State University - Fresno came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Fresno is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 21 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,230 for public admin students with aid per year to attend Fresno State.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration at Fresno State
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 60 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
UNC Chapel Hill also claimed a top spot on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $12,469 for Public Admin students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration at UNC Chapel Hill
Florida International University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid list. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 262 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, FIU is also in the top of our “Best Public Administration Schools” ranking. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $5,298 for public admin students with aid.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Public Administration at Florida International University
California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for public admin students with aid.
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%.
Read more about Public Administration at California State University - Los Angeles
With a ranking of #16, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 190 students in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, IUPUI also did well on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. It costs about $12,416 for Public Admin students with aid per year to attend IUPUI.
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 more about Public Administration at IUPUI
California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for public admin students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Cal State Fullerton Public Administration Report
The University of Texas at Dallas came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. UT Dallas is a public institution located in Richardson, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 72 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,526 for public admin students with aid per year to attend The University of Texas at Dallas.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.
Read full report on Public Administration at UT Dallas
With a ranking of #19, University of Missouri - St Louis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of Missouri - St Louis is located in Saint Louis, Missouri and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 36 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $12,232 for Public Admin students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Public Administration at University of Missouri - St Louis
University of Central Florida landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Orlando, Florida, and it awarded 222 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
On top of its placing in this ranking, UCF also did well on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. It’s in the top [COLLEGE_QUALITY_PECTENTILE_ALL_LEVES]% of all schools in this category. The yearly cost to attend University of Central Florida is $8,618 for public admin students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Public Administration at UCF
Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Boca Raton, Florida, this large public school handed out 79 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,735 for public admin students with aid per year to attend FAU.
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%.
Full Florida Atlantic University Public Administration Report
Indiana University - Northwest came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. IU Northwest is a public institution located in Gary, Indiana. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $6,363 for Public Admin students with aid per year to attend IU Northwest.
Read more about Public Administration at Indiana University - Northwest
With a ranking of #23, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 37 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. It costs about $17,878 for Public Admin students with aid per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Public Administration at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
With a ranking of #24, University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 107 students in 2020-2021.
Mizzou did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Administration Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $16,559 for Public Admin students with aid.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Public Administration at Mizzou
California State University - San Bernardino came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large school located in San Bernardino, California that handed out 81 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for Public Admin students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Public Administration at CSUSB
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