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2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Ohio

10 Colleges in the United States
$25,941 Avg Student Debt
$54,522 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Public Administration Badge [Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration schools.

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2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Ohio

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Public Administration Schools

1

Cleveland State University earned the #1 spot for value among public administration schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,336 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $45,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

2

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,887 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,294 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,887 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wright State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for public administration. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $25,836. Early-career public administration graduates make about $47,732. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kent State University At Kent earned it the #4 place for public administration. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $25,174. Early-career public administration graduates make about $66,131. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $55,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

6

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #6 for value in public administration this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $37,119. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

7
Franklin University crest
Franklin University
Columbus, OH

Franklin University came in at #7 for value in public administration this year. Franklin University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,577. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $35,890. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Franklin University generally make around $63,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,659. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

9

Miami University Oxford came in at #9 for value in public administration this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, with out-of-state students paying around $38,965. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,731 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $45,278. That is a strong return on a $25,731 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Dayton ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Dayton, University Of Dayton is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,140. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Dayton generally make around $56,077. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Dayton admits about 65% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 10 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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