[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 269 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration students.
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. To help, we created 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.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Public Administration Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for public administration in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $58,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for public administration. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $57,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for public administration. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $36,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $14,430. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $66,365. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,300. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,144. Set against $13,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #6 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $77,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay earned the #7 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $84,881 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,073 median debt. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $71,708. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Utah Valley University placed #9 among the best values for public administration. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #10 for value in public administration this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $59,179. Set against $18,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,732. Public Administration graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $64,423 early in their careers. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno placed #13 among the best values for public administration. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Public Administration graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $62,889 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #14 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #15 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $66,534. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Portland State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $73,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Indian River State College came in at #17 for value in public administration this year. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $38,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #18 on our 2027 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
Florida International University came in at #19 for value in public administration this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,022 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #20 spot for public administration value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $51,938 early in their careers. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #21 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $59,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Lamar University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Northern Kentucky University earned the #23 position for value in public administration this year. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Northern Kentucky University earn a median of $58,199 early in their careers. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #24 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,466. That is a strong return on a $20,125 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $19,187. Early-career public administration graduates make about $43,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 269 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 269 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration education at a price that pays off.
