2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in North Carolina
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration students.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in North Carolina
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
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 best value for public administration in North Carolina. 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. Early-career public administration graduates make about $66,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for public administration. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $27,089. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $46,323 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,012. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $24,977. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $48,682. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned it the #5 place for public administration. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $59,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University came in at #6 for value in public administration this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,992 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $46,655. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina Central University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,699 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $31,173 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from North Carolina Central University generally make around $51,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University placed #8 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,747 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $51,931. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #9 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $51,393. That is a strong return on a $22,113 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,013. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $50,764 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,013 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Gardner Webb University came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. Set in the rural area of Boiling Springs, Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Gardner Webb University earn a median of $63,220 early in their careers. Set against $25,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
