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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Arizona

6 Colleges in the United States
$25,641 Avg Student Debt
$49,664 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Public Administration Badge [Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration schools.

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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Arizona

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Public Administration Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Rio Salado College the best value for a degree in public administration 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.

2

University Of Phoenix Arizona is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Students borrow a median of $45,656 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $60,204. Set against $45,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Arizona State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,842. Early-career public administration graduates make about $55,985. Set against $21,842 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

4

Northern Arizona University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.

5

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the public administration program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 86%.

6

Grand Canyon University placed #6 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. 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. Set against $30,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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