[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 501 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration schools.
Finding the Best Value Public Administration School for You
The public administration program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Public Administration Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Public Administration Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for public administration. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $36,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #3 place for public administration. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $57,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $66,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #5 place for public administration. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,965. Early-career public administration graduates make about $59,179. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $64,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University San Bernardino landed the #7 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,144. That is a strong return on a $13,300 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge placed #8 among the best values for public administration. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $77,004. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Fresno earned the #9 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $62,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #10 for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $51,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #11 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #12 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,804 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $52,155. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #13 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $71,708. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College earned the #14 position for value in public administration this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,389. Early-career public administration graduates make about $57,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Texas A And M International University landed the #15 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay came in at #16 for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $84,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Florida State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,466. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University came in at #18 for value in public administration this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $27,022 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,689. Set against $27,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #19 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $63,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Indian River State College landed the #20 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $38,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #21 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Utah Valley University placed #23 among the best values for public administration. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #24 for value in public administration this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $61,014. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
American Public University System came in at #25 for value in public administration this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $70,882 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 501 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 190 ranked schools only.
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).
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration education at a price that pays off.
