2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the New England Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the New England 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
Harvard University tops our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools in the New England Region. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $16,616. Public Administration graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $133,307 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $67,584 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Westfield State University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $25,910 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $46,645. Set against $25,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Rhode Island earned it the #4 place for public administration. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $74,864. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Post University one of the best values for public administration. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Students borrow a median of $35,364 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $68,873. That is a strong return on a $35,364 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #6 among the best values for public administration. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut landed the #7 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $65,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Vermont came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. Students from in state pay about $19,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $22,607. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. That is a strong return on a $22,607 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $52,064. Set against $26,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Norwich University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,740. Students borrow a median of $24,103 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Norwich University earn a median of $58,394 early in their careers. Set against $24,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Clark University earned the #11 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Clark University earn a median of $61,207 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Anna Maria College came in at #12 for value in public administration this year. Set in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,571. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,734 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Anna Maria College earn a median of $110,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,734 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,550. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,670 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Suffolk University earn a median of $78,504 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,670 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $66,436 early in their careers. Set against $25,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of New Haven earned the #15 position for value in public administration this year. University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of West Haven. In-state tuition and fees average $47,332. Students borrow a median of $26,244 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of New Haven generally make around $73,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Sacred Heart University placed #16 among the best values for public administration. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,831 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,831 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
