[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 254 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration students.
For return on investment in public administration, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $79,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for public administration. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $66,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career public administration graduates make about $36,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for public administration. 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. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #5 place for public administration. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,300. Public Administration graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $61,318 early in their careers. Set against $13,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Northridge placed #6 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, 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 $77,959. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University East Bay landed the #7 spot for public administration value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Students borrow a median of $18,073 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $84,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills placed #8 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,965. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $72,886. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #9 position for value in public administration 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $17,492. Public Administration graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,708 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Utah Valley University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $16,478. Public Administration graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the public administration program here. 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. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno came in at #13 for value in public administration this year. 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. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $62,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #14 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Portland State University earned the #15 position for value in public administration this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,475 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $73,655 early in their careers. Set against $26,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #16 among the best values for public administration. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,115 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $59,815. That is a strong return on a $20,115 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Florida International University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,022 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $59,096. Set against $27,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #19 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $51,938. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #21 spot for public administration value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. 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 $58,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Florida State University came in at #22 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $56,061. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Kentucky University placed #23 among the best values for public administration. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, while out-of-state students pay about $21,912. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,199. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Florida landed the #24 spot for public administration value this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $22,453. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $59,742. That is a strong return on a $22,453 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
San Francisco State University came in at #25 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,020 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $85,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration value ranking:
The ranking above is published 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 · 254 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 254 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.
