2027 Best Value Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 49 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in public administration in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $37,792. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $36,626. That is a strong return on a $13,273 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
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, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $48,881. Set against $13,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $37,500. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $76,049. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. 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. Public Administration graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $46,047 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #6 among the best values for public administration. 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. Early-career public administration graduates make about $45,471. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Indian River State College came in at #7 for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $38,521 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida International University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $27,022 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $46,281 early in their careers. Set against $27,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #9 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $43,317 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida came in at #10 for value in public administration this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,453 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $38,681. Set against $22,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,287. Early-career public administration graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $43,110 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Springfield ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $61,014 early in their careers. Set against $24,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
St Petersburg College placed #14 among the best values for public administration. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $31,809 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $42,735. That is a strong return on a $31,809 median debt.
University Of Guam came in at #15 for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Mangilao, University Of Guam is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,414 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,650. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Guam generally make around $26,880. Set against $15,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #16 among the best values for public administration. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $38,358. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu placed #17 among the best values for public administration. Located in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,584 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,544. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $42,481. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University placed #18 among the best values for public administration. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $56,445 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
Kean University placed #19 among the best values for public administration. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $45,850. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside earned the #20 position for value in public administration this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $40,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University came in at #21 for value in public administration this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $41,020. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #22 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,731 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $47,013. Set against $20,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Students borrow a median of $45,656 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $61,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University earned the #24 position for value in public administration this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rogers State University placed #25 among the best values for public administration. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,750, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $22,936 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $45,644. Set against $22,936 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 49 Best Value Public Administration Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration this year:
Other Public Administration Degree Levels
Explore the best-value public administration schools at other degree levels:
View All Public Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 49 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
