College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration in the Far Western US Region

35 Ranked Colleges
2,595 Degrees Awarded
$14,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 2,595 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,174 and $28,864 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking analyzed 35 colleges that offered 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Public Admin Rankings Other Ranking Categories

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 in the Far Western US Region” 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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration in the Far Western US Region

1

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSUN is located in Northridge, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 309 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

CSUN did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for far western us region public admin students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at California State University - Northridge

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 131 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $10,054 for far western us region public admin students per year to attend CSULB.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, 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 CSULB

3
Seattle U crest
Seattle University
Seattle, Washington

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Seattle University landed the #3 spot on the list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

Seattle U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Seattle U is $35,109 for far western us region public admin students.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 Seattle University

4

Out of the 35 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Golden Gate University - San Francisco landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in San Francisco, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 30 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region public admin students list, Golden Gate University - San Francisco has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Golden Gate University - San Francisco

5

6
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. California Baptist University is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 53 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Baptist, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Cal Baptist is $26,719 for Far Western US Region Public Admin students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 full report on Public Administration at Cal Baptist

7

California State University - Fresno ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 21 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Fresno State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $6,230 for far western us region public admin students per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Public Administration at California State University - Fresno

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Las Vegas, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 74 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNLV, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nevada - Las Vegas is $10,993 for far western us region public admin students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Public Administration Report

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 53 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

CSUB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Bakersfield is $7,454 for Far Western US Region Public Admin students.

Read full report on Public Administration at CSUB

10
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, California

National University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. National University is located in La Jolla, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 108 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

National University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend National University is $20,722 for Far Western US Region Public Admin students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at National University

11
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 172 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $13,845 for far western us region public admin students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, 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 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at SDSU

12

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #12. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for far western us region public admin students.

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%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Cal State Fullerton

13

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #13. California State University - San Bernardino is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 81 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region public admin students list, CSUSB has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - San Bernardino is $8,107 for far western us region public admin students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 California State University - San Bernardino

14

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public admin degrees to 170 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW Seattle is $12,017 for far western us region public admin students.

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%.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Public Administration Report

15

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSUDH is a fairly large school located in Carson, California that handed out 129 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUDH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $4,026 for Far Western US Region Public Admin students per year to attend CSUDH.

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 California State University - Dominguez Hills

16
USFCA crest
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, California

University of San Francisco came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of San Francisco is a fairly large school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 80 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region public admin students list, USFCA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of San Francisco is $40,053 for Far Western US Region Public Admin students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of San Francisco Public Administration Report

17

California State University - East Bay came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. California State University - East Bay is a public institution located in Hayward, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 66 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,298 for Far Western US Region Public Admin students per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

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 Cal State East Bay Public Administration Report

18
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Jose, California, this large public school handed out 16 degrees to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State is $16,542 for far western us region public admin students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration at San Jose State University

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 21 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Chico is $16,218 for far western us region public admin students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at California State University - Chico

20

California State University - Sacramento landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 26 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for far western us region public admin students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at California State University - Sacramento

21

Portland State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Portland State University is a large public school situated in Portland, Oregon. It awarded 48 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Portland State University also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Portland State University is $12,498 for far western us region public admin students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 full report on Public Administration at Portland State University

22
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #22, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 32 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,459 for far western us region public admin students per year to attend San Francisco State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 SFSU

23

California State University - Stanislaus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for far western us region public admin students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Public Administration Report

24

With a ranking of #24, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Cal State LA is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 39 ’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $3,302 for far western us region public admin students per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 - Los Angeles

25

Hawaii Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Admin Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Honolulu, Hawaii, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 31 diplomas to qualified ’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Hawaii Pacific University also made our “Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $29,484 for Far Western US Region Public Admin students per year to attend Hawaii Pacific University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Hawaii Pacific University

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options