2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
For return on investment in public administration, no school beat The University Of Texas Pan American this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $51,938. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Lamar University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Rio Salado College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Tyler Junior College one of the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, while out-of-state students pay about $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #6 for value in public administration this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,385. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #7 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #8 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $19,819. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #9 for value in public administration this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,632. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $64,946. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Students borrow a median of $45,656 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,204 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston earned the #11 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Arizona State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,842. Early-career public administration graduates make about $55,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University landed the #13 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #14 among the best values for public administration. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $20,548 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Rogers State University earned the #15 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,410. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $22,936 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Rogers State University generally make around $45,644. That is a strong return on a $22,936 median debt.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #16 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $61,253. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,346, while out-of-state students pay about $22,290. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,100. Public Administration graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Clear Lake admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas came in at #18 for value in public administration this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $55,873. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sam Houston State University placed #19 among the best values for public administration. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $46,365. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona came in at #20 for value in public administration this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $44,518 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,961 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $46,992. That is a strong return on a $17,961 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #22 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,418 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $55,855 early in their careers. Set against $27,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Southern University earned the #23 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Texas Tech University landed the #24 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $50,332. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Central Oklahoma placed #25 among the best values for public administration. University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public school located in the suburb of Edmond. Students from in state pay about $8,818 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,704. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,321. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. That is a strong return on a $23,321 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 31 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 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
