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2027 Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region

81 Colleges in the United States
3,274 Public Administration Degrees Awarded
$53,076 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 81 schools to find the best for public administration students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration in the Southeast Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Public Administration

1

Our analysis ranked Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University the best school in the country for a degree in public administration. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 46 public administration degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $74,121 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the top schools for public administration. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 61 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $66,534 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117. See the full public administration program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3

Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at George Mason University, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 98 public administration students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from George Mason University earn around $67,375 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $20,106 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for George Mason University

4
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

Clemson University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. About 87% of students finish within six years. Clemson University awarded about 28 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $65,949 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,783. Read more about the public administration program at Clemson University

5
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 59 public administration degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from James Madison University earn around $48,396 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for James Madison University

6
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #6 for public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $69,710 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for University Of Miami

7
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University landed the #7 spot for public administration this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lipscomb University graduates 72% of students within six years. About 41 public administration degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Lipscomb University

8
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #8 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 105 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Florida State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Florida State University earn around $49,466 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Florida State University

9

North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 48 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $51,393 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at North Carolina State University At Raleigh

10

University Of Georgia earned the #10 position for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 85 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Georgia earn around $54,613 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for University Of Georgia

11

The University Of Tennessee landed the #11 spot for public administration this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. Typical student debt for the program is $22,859. More information about a degree in public administration from The University Of Tennessee

12

Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #12 spot for public administration this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 45 public administration degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $53,777. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813. Get the full public administration details for Virginia Commonwealth University

13

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #13 among the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 43 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $55,859. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

14

Florida Atlantic University earned the #14 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 79 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Florida Atlantic University earn around $52,155 in the first couple years of their career. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Florida Atlantic University

15

University Of Central Florida ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. About 154 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $49,212 early in their careers. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $22,453 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for University Of Central Florida

16

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #16 position for public administration this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte awarded about 30 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $59,111. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,673 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

17
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Auburn University

18

Western Carolina University landed the #18 spot for public administration this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Western Carolina University awarded about 134 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Western Carolina University earn around $54,286 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,375. See the full public administration program report for Western Carolina University

19

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #19 spot for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 11 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $53,623 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,537 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of South Carolina Columbia

20

Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #20 spot for public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 32 public administration degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Florida Gulf Coast University earn around $54,883 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Florida Gulf Coast University

21

Florida International University placed #21 among the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. Florida International University awarded about 126 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $52,689 in their early career. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $27,022 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Florida International University

22

Florida Institute Of Technology earned the #22 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Florida Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Florida Institute Of Technology earn around $69,878 in the first couple years of their career. Florida Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Florida Institute Of Technology

23
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University earned the #23 position for public administration this year. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gardner Webb University awarded about 37 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Gardner Webb University earn around $63,220 in the first couple years of their career. Gardner Webb University graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Gardner Webb University

24

University Of Kentucky came in at #24 for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lexington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Kentucky in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $57,725 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for University Of Kentucky

25

Old Dominion University earned the #25 position for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 public administration degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $65,888 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001. See the full public administration program report for Old Dominion University

Rest of the Top 50 Public Administration Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public administration education:

26
27
28
29
30
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
31
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL
39
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
40
41
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY
42
43
44
45
46
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL
47
48
49
50

View All Public Administration Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 81 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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