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2026 Best Public Administration Schools in Alabama

6 Colleges in the United States
363 Public Administration Degrees Awarded
$51,412 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public administration programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools to find the best for public administration students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration in Alabama

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
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Auburn University awarded about 51 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Auburn University earn around $55,422 in the first couple years of their career. Auburn University graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Auburn University

2

The University Of Alabama is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #2. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Alabama awarded about 24 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,740 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at The University Of Alabama

3

Columbia Southern University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Orange Beach, Columbia Southern University is a very large private for-profit university. Roughly 26% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 160 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $63,643 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,447. Get the full public administration details for Columbia Southern University

4

University Of South Alabama is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 19 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of South Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $51,592. University Of South Alabama graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of South Alabama

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Alabama At Birmingham one of the top schools for public administration. University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public school located in the city of Birmingham. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alabama At Birmingham in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Alabama At Birmingham earn a median of $48,736 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,162 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Alabama At Birmingham

6

Auburn University At Montgomery ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Auburn University At Montgomery is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Montgomery. Auburn University At Montgomery graduates 33% of students within six years. Auburn University At Montgomery awarded about 11 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Auburn University At Montgomery earn a median of $44,249 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,746 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Auburn University At Montgomery

7

Troy University earned the #7 position for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the town of Troy. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Troy University awarded about 40 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Troy University earn around $51,555 in the first couple years of their career. Troy University graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Troy University

8

Jacksonville State University earned the #8 position for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Jacksonville. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 20 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Jacksonville State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Jacksonville State University earn around $45,361 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,751. Get the full public administration details for Jacksonville State University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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