2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Arizona

[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration students.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Arizona
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
Rio Salado College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration schools in Arizona. 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. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #2 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $45,656 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $60,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, 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. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,985 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for public administration. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Grand Canyon University earned the #6 position for value in public administration this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $63,014. That is a strong return on a $30,027 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.