2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 80 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration students.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked Florida Atlantic University the best value for a degree in public administration in the Southeast Region. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,155. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $27,022. Public Administration graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $66,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
Indian River State College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $10,492. Early-career public administration graduates make about $38,521. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Central Florida landed the #6 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $22,453 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $49,212 early in their careers. Set against $22,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.
American Public University System ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $70,882. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State University came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,125. Public Administration graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $49,466 early in their careers. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #9 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $56,031. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Murray State University placed #10 among the best values for public administration. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $53,876. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Students borrow a median of $35,088 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Clayton State University generally make around $42,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia earned the #12 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Florida landed the #13 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,523. Early-career public administration graduates make about $53,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
St Petersburg College landed the #14 spot for public administration value this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $31,809 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $42,735 early in their careers. Set against $31,809 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #15 for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,015. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $54,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro landed the #16 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $48,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,399 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $64,900. That is a strong return on a $23,399 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia came in at #18 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $54,613. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #19 for value in public administration this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. In-state tuition and fees average $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,089 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $46,323. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Western Carolina University came in at #20 for value in public administration this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,375. Public Administration graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $54,286 early in their careers. Set against $18,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $54,235. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Valdosta State University earned the #22 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,124 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $43,810. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Savannah State University came in at #23 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $31,576 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $34,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mississippi Valley State University landed the #24 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the rural area of Itta Bena, Mississippi Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,692. Median earnings reach $31,919 ten years out. Mississippi Valley State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Memphis placed #25 among the best values for public administration. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,384 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration value ranking:
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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 · 80 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 80 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.
