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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration

48 Ranked Colleges
377 Degrees Awarded
$67,963 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 16,905 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 60th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $51,352 and had an average of $29,054 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 377 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,260 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major” ranking analyzed 48 colleges that offered a degree in public administration. That schools that top this list have a program in public administration in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration

1
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Out of the 48 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Walden University landed the #1 spot on the list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out doctorate’s public admin degrees to 138 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Walden University

2
Jackson State crest
Jackson State University
Jackson, Mississippi

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Jackson State University. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major. Jackson State is located in Jackson, Mississippi and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Full Jackson State University Public Administration Report

3

Out of the 48 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #3 spot on the list. UIS is a small public school situated in Springfield, Illinois. It awarded 8 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Illinois at Springfield

4
UB crest
University of Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Baltimore. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major list. UB is a small school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 8 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Baltimore

5
VSU crest
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Valdosta State University. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major. This fairly large school is located in Valdosta, Georgia, and it awarded 13 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Administration at VSU

6
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking, coming in at #6. This fairly large school is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read full report on Public Administration at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

7
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking. Cal Baptist is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 10 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal Baptist Public Administration Report

8
Hamline crest
Hamline University
Saint Paul, Minnesota

With a ranking of #8, Hamline University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major list. Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at Hamline

9
ULV crest
University of La Verne
La Verne, California

University of La Verne came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking. This medium-sized school is located in La Verne, California, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at University of La Verne

10

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a fairly large public school situated in Omaha, Nebraska. It awarded 5 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at UNOMAHA

11
Tennessee State University crest
Tennessee State University
Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 2 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Administration at Tennessee State University

12

With a ranking of #12, The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major list. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public institution located in Arlington, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full The University of Texas at Arlington Public Administration Report

13

Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking, coming in at #13. VCU is located in Richmond, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University

14
The American University crest
American University
Washington, District of Columbia

American University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Washington, District of Columbia, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration at American University

15

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major list. CU Anschutz is a large public school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 6 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full CU Anschutz Public Administration Report

16
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Capella University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking. Capella University is a private for-profit institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Capella University Public Administration Report

17
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking, coming in at #17. Western Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It awarded 4 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Administration at WMU

18
UAlbany crest
University at Albany
Albany, New York

University at Albany landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking. Located in Albany, New York, this fairly large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University at Albany Public Administration Report

19
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida State

20
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Norfolk, Virginia, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s public admin students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Public Administration at Old Dominion University

21

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #21 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major list. UT Dallas is a large public school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 6 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UT Dallas Public Administration Report

22
Auburn crest
Auburn University
Auburn, Alabama

Auburn University ranked #22 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major list. Auburn is located in Auburn, Alabama and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full Auburn Public Administration Report

23
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public admin degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration at UK

24

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at UMN Twin Cities

25
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

With a ranking of #25, University of Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Public Admin Major list. University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Georgia

Notes and References

References

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