2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration students.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for public administration in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,287. Early-career public administration graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #2 place for public administration. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for public administration. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,798. Early-career public administration graduates make about $67,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Southern Utah University one of the best values for public administration. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $12,886 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $55,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #6 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,390. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #7 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs generally make around $70,497. That is a strong return on a $23,559 median debt. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $66,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
The University Of Montana earned the #9 position for value in public administration this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Students from in state pay about $8,552 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $49,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Montana admits about 96% of applicants.
Boise State University came in at #10 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,311 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $55,582 early in their careers. Set against $24,311 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boise State University admits about 87% of applicants.
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $51,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
