2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in New Jersey

[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in New Jersey
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
For return on investment in public administration, no school beat Kean University this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $31,000. Early-career public administration graduates make about $50,338. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus, which ranked #2. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. In-state tuition and fees average $37,010. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $24,770. Early-career public administration graduates make about $66,770. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Camden is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,428. That is a strong return on a $24,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rutgers University Newark earned it the #4 place for public administration. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Students borrow a median of $25,065 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Rutgers University Newark generally make around $58,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Seton Hall University, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,422. Public Administration graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $52,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.