2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Massachusetts
[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 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Massachusetts Lowell the best value for a degree in public administration in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $25,574. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $26,236. Early-career public administration graduates make about $67,584. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $133,307. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Anna Maria College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $110,456. That is a strong return on a $26,734 median debt. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants.
Clark University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. 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. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $61,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
Suffolk University placed #6 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $78,504. Set against $26,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,162 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $25,611. Early-career public administration graduates make about $66,436. Set against $25,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Merrimack College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,962. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Merrimack College generally make around $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
