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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

28 Ranked Colleges
1,379 Degrees Awarded
$18,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Getting Aid” ranking.

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 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 28 colleges that offer 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 Getting Aid” 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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree public admin students with aid.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 72 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Public Administration Report

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M International University landed the #2 spot on the list. Laredo, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 9 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 full report on 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 Getting Aid 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 The University of Texas at Tyler are $16,308, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The University of Texas at Tyler Public Administration Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Dallas. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at The University of Texas at Dallas

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #5 spot on the list. UTEP 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 The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Public Administration Report

With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this large public school awarded 50 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807.

Full UTSA 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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 123 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

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 University of Phoenix - Arizona are $17,096, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UOPX - Arizona

The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school handed out 84 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 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 Arlington are $23,376.

Read more about Public Administration at UT Arlington

#9

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of Houston landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Houston Public Administration Report

#10

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Lamar University is a public institution located in Beaumont, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lamar University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #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.

Read full report on Public Administration at Lamar University

#11

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, Texas State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas State

#12

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

With a ranking of #12, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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 some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Texas Public Administration Report

#13

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Tarleton State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Tarleton State University is a fairly large school located in Stephenville, Texas that handed out 17 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tarleton, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tarleton are $15,485, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Tarleton State University

#14

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Sam Houston State University is a large public school situated in Huntsville, Texas. It awarded 15 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 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 Sam Houston State University are $15,704.

Read full report on Public Administration at SHSU

#15

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas

Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. Texas A&M College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 112 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 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 Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743.

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

#23 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NMSU Main Campus, the school also landed the #23 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 NMSU Main Campus are $18,275.

Read more about Public Administration at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

#17

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UNM is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 48 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

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 UNM are $19,890, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UNM

#18

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#17 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Skysong 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 Getting Aid ranking. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this large public school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, ASU - Skysong has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full ASU - Skysong Public Administration Report

#18

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

University of Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. University of Arizona is located in Tucson, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

University of Arizona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. 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

#19

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas Tech is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

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 are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas Tech University

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

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. 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

#21

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Corpus Christi, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 29 students 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi are $15,683.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

#22

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students with aid list, NAU has also earned the #13 rank 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.

Read full report on Public Administration at Northern Arizona University

University of Central Oklahoma did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Central Oklahoma are $17,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Central Oklahoma Public Administration Report

#24

Texas Southern University

Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #24, Texas Southern University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas Southern University is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 47 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

TSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 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 Texas Southern University are $13,221.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas Southern University

#25

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

With a ranking of #25, Grand Canyon University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 266 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Grand Canyon University also took the #10 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 Grand Canyon University are $11,436.

Full Grand Canyon University Public Administration Report

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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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