2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
For return on investment in public administration, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $13,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. 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. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $59,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,300 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach earned the #6 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $64,423. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #7 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $37,500. Early-career public administration graduates make about $77,004. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield earned the #8 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,598. Early-career public administration graduates make about $62,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Public Administration graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,708 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #11 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $63,996. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
California State University East Bay landed the #12 spot for public administration value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,073. Early-career public administration graduates make about $84,881. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Alaska Southeast earned the #13 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Juneau. In-state tuition and fees average $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,458. Public Administration graduates of University Of Alaska Southeast earn a median of $56,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,458 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #14 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $85,122. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #15 among the best values for public administration. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $70,392 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.
Portland State University landed the #17 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $26,475. Public Administration graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $73,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #18 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,584, compared with $20,544 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
San Jose State University landed the #19 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of California Riverside came in at #20 for value in public administration this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
California State University Chico earned the #21 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,591. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $52,475. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #22 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $50,691. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #23 spot for public administration value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $56,415. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University landed the #24 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Oregon earned the #25 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $16,166. Public Administration graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $39,365 early in their careers. Set against $16,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Public Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration:
Narrow Public Administration Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 60 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
