2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Texas
[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 21 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Texas
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
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in public administration in Texas. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. 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 University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Lamar University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $26,988. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. That is a strong return on a $26,988 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Texas At Dallas earned it the #3 place for public administration. 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, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.
A rank of #4 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Students borrow a median of $14,869 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $43,348. Set against $14,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At San Antonio one of the best values for public administration. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,500. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,385 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #6 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #7 for value in public administration this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #8 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $64,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston placed #9 among the best values for public administration. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $57,529. Set against $21,255 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,100. Early-career public administration graduates make about $51,252. 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 landed the #11 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $55,873 early in their careers. Set against $21,817 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Sam Houston State University placed #12 among the best values for public administration. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. Set against $24,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $27,418. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $55,855. That is a strong return on a $27,418 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Texas Southern University came in at #15 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $35,330 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $52,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Texas Tech University earned the #16 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #17 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
West Texas A And M University landed the #18 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,996. Students borrow a median of $24,798 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of West Texas A And M University earn a median of $43,515 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Texas A And M University admits about 99% of applicants.
Wayland Baptist University landed the #19 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,782. Students borrow a median of $30,204 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $59,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.
Tarleton State University came in at #20 for value in public administration this year. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, while out-of-state students pay about $18,142. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $67,986. Set against $23,222 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #21 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $55,944 early in their careers. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
