2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Virginia
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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 Virginia
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
For return on investment in public administration, no school beat George Mason University this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,106. Public Administration graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $67,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $26,001. Early-career public administration graduates make about $65,888. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at James Madison University earned it the #3 place for public administration. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $48,396. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Strayer University Virginia is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Strayer University Virginia is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,920. Students borrow a median of $45,932 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,512. That is a strong return on a $45,932 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Regent University one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,650. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $55,462. That is a strong return on a $29,451 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #6 spot for public administration value this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,813. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $53,777. That is a strong return on a $23,813 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #7 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,393. Early-career public administration graduates make about $74,121. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Liberty University earned the #8 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $27,414. Early-career public administration graduates make about $57,882. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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.
