2027 Best Public Administration Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Public Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public administration students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Public Administration in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public administration education in the Middle Atlantic Region.
Top Schools in Public Administration
Our analysis ranked Johns Hopkins University the best school in the country for a degree in public administration. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. About 94% of students finish within six years. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 68 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $78,510 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree.
Get the full public administration details for Johns Hopkins University
George Washington University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 51 public administration students who graduated with this degree at George Washington University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $78,177. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration program report for George Washington University
Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 138 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $83,208 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155.
See the full public administration program report for University Of Pennsylvania
American University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. American University awarded about 126 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $78,068 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree.
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New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. New York University awarded about 214 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from New York University earn around $82,887 in the first couple years of their career. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration from New York University
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #6 spot for public administration this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 349 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $89,478 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Cornell University landed the #7 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 116 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $61,190. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration program at Cornell University
Syracuse University came in at #8 for public administration this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 232 public administration degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Syracuse University earn around $68,350 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
See the full public administration program report for Syracuse University
Villanova University landed the #9 spot for public administration this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 48 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $72,577 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184.
More information about a degree in public administration from Villanova University
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 114 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn around $58,595 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
Marist College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 49 public administration degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $84,712 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,962.
See the full public administration program report for Marist College
Suny At Albany landed the #12 spot for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 64 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Albany in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $61,642 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration from Suny At Albany
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot for public administration this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 58 public administration students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in public administration from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
University Of Delaware ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Delaware awarded about 26 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $58,115. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans.
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Rutgers University Newark came in at #15 for public administration this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 106 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University Newark in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $58,428 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,065 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration from Rutgers University Newark
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates 56% of students within six years. About 162 public administration degrees were awarded at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $57,673 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,895 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration program at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
Carnegie Mellon University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $66,915. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529.
See the full public administration program report for Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Maryland University College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. About 20% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Maryland University College earn around $74,053 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,202.
See the full public administration program report for University Of Maryland University College
Suny At Binghamton earned the #19 position for public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Suny At Binghamton awarded about 34 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Suny At Binghamton earn around $51,800 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,691.
Get the full public administration details for Suny At Binghamton
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #20 spot for public administration this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Pennsylvania State University World Campus graduates 34% of students within six years. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 45 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University World Campus generally make around $69,773. Typical student debt for the program is $26,062.
See the full public administration program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #21 among the best public administration schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Teaneck. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 57 public administration degrees were awarded at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $66,770. Typical student debt for the program is $24,770.
More information about a degree in public administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Rutgers University Camden came in at #22 for public administration this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Camden. Rutgers University Camden graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $58,428. Rutgers University Camden graduates carry a median of $24,577 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration program at Rutgers University Camden
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 61 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $59,098 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,958.
Read more about the public administration program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Baltimore landed the #24 spot for public administration this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Baltimore. University Of Baltimore graduates 38% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Baltimore in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $67,870 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration program at University Of Baltimore
Excelsior College placed #25 among the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Albany, Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Excelsior College awarded about 20 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Excelsior College earn around $70,677 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,311.
See the full public administration program report for Excelsior College
Rest of the Top 36 Public Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public administration education:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 36 schools evaluated.
- 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.