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2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s

269 Ranked Colleges
12,512 Degrees Awarded
$13,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $48,859 and had an average of $42,077 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 12,512 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s” ranking analyzed 269 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration

#1

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Walden University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. Walden University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 210 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Walden University is also in the top of our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category. Average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Walden University

#2

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Seattle University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s. Located in Seattle, Washington, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 42 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Seattle U also took the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Seattle University are $14,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Seattle University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. Brigham Young University - Provo is a private not-for-profit institution located in Provo, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 71 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at BYU are $7,510.

Full BYU Public Administration Report

#4

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Out of the 269 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s that were part of this year’s ranking, Hamline University landed the #4 spot on the list. Hamline is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 39 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Hamline excels when it comes to public admin quality. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in that analysis. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline are $11,577.

Read full report on Public Administration at Hamline

#5

University of South Dakota

Vermillion, South Dakota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Dakota. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s. Vermillion, South Dakota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

USD excels when it comes to public admin quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Dakota are $12,637, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at USD

With a ranking of #6, Minnesota State University - Mankato did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. Minnesota State Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 15 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Minnesota State Mankato are $8,788.

Read more about Public Administration at Minnesota State Mankato

#7

California Baptist University

Riverside, California

With a ranking of #7, California Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. California Baptist University is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Cal Baptist is also in the top of our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Baptist are $14,140.

Read more about Public Administration at Cal Baptist

#8

Park University

Parkville, Missouri

Park University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking. Park University is a fairly large school located in Parkville, Missouri that handed out 39 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Park University are $6,224, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Park University

#9

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking. This large school is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it awarded 92 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767.

Read more about Public Administration at Capella University

#10

Anna Maria College

Paxton, Massachusetts

Anna Maria College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #10. Anna Maria College is a small school located in Paxton, Massachusetts that handed out 101 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Anna Maria are $10,530.

Read more about Public Administration at Anna Maria

#11

Liberty University

Lynchburg, Virginia

Liberty University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking. Liberty University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Lynchburg, Virginia. It awarded 97 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Liberty University are $8,349, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Liberty University

California State University - Northridge ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 226 students in 2019-2020.

CSUN also claimed a top spot on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at CSUN are $17,955, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at CSUN

#13

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, Missouri

With a ranking of #13, Lindenwood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. Lindenwood University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Charles, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Lindenwood University are $9,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Lindenwood University

#14

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #14, Villanova University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. Villanova University is a fairly large school located in Villanova, Pennsylvania that handed out 76 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Villanova not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Villanova are $20,719, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Villanova Public Administration Report

University of Phoenix - Arizona came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large private for-profit school awarded 123 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UOPX - Arizona are $17,096.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Phoenix - Arizona

#16

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #16, American Public University System did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. American Public University System is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 89 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at American Military University are $7,050, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at American Military University

#17

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. This small school is located in Springfield, Illinois, and it awarded 63 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Illinois at Springfield

#18

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking, coming in at #18. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 266 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436.

Read full report on Public Administration at Grand Canyon University

#19

Golden Gate University - San Francisco

San Francisco, California

Golden Gate University - San Francisco landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking. Golden Gate University - San Francisco is located in San Francisco, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 37 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Golden Gate University - San Francisco excels when it comes to public admin quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Golden Gate University - San Francisco are $19,705, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#20

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

Westfield State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking. Westfield is a medium-sized public school situated in Westfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 15 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Westfield State University are $6,696, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Westfield

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 58 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri State University - Springfield are $12,042.

Full Missouri State Public Administration Report

California State University - Long Beach came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s ranking. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 125 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

CSULB also claimed a top spot on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full CSULB Public Administration Report

#23

Saint Cloud State University

Saint Cloud, Minnesota

With a ranking of #23, Saint Cloud State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. Saint Cloud State University is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at St. Cloud State University are $12,904, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at St. Cloud State University

#24

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
Top 15% in overall quality

West Chester University of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. WCUPA is a public institution located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 42 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WCUPA excels when it comes to public admin quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WCUPA are $16,758, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full WCUPA Public Administration Report

#25

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, Michigan

Grand Valley State University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s list. Allendale, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 33 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Valley State University are $17,448.

Read more about Public Administration at GVSU

Rest of the Best 41 in Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s

Not only did these schools make the top 41 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

#26

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#28

Central Michigan University

Mount Pleasant, Michigan
#29

Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa
#31

Marist College

Poughkeepsie, New York
#34

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#35

Brandman University

Irvine, California
#36

Barry University

Miami, Florida
#37

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#38

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas
#39

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
#40

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#41

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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