College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region

31 Colleges in the United States
1,604 Public Administration Degrees Awarded
$53,387 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.

College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best public administration schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration in the Southwest 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

The University Of Texas At Austin tops our 2027 ranking of the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $57,819 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

2

A rank of #2 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the top schools for public administration. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 138 public administration degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $55,944 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,031. See the full public administration program report for Texas A And M University College Station

3

Arizona State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 61 public administration degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Arizona State University earn around $55,985 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Arizona State University

4

Texas Tech University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 16 public administration degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,271. Read more about the public administration program at Texas Tech University

5

The University Of Texas At Dallas is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richardson. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 73 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from The University Of Texas At Dallas earn around $46,992 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates carry a median of $17,961 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas

6

Sam Houston State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Sam Houston State University awarded about 24 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $46,365 in the first couple years of their career. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Sam Houston State University

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 115 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $64,946 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

8

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #8 among the best public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $58,736 in their early career. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $20,548 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

9

University Of Houston ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 12 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Houston earn around $57,529 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,255 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for University Of Houston

10
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University came in at #10 for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Beaumont. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lamar University awarded about 26 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Lamar University

11
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #11 among the best public administration schools. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Tarleton State University awarded about 72 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Tarleton State University earn around $67,986 in the first couple years of their career. Tarleton State University graduates carry a median of $23,222 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Tarleton State University

12

University Of Arizona came in at #12 for public administration this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 29 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $44,518 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Arizona

13

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #13 spot for public administration this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Odessa. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin graduates 40% of students within six years. About 24 public administration degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

14

University Of North Texas placed #14 among the best public administration schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 35 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of North Texas earn around $55,873 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,817. See the full public administration program report for University Of North Texas

15

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #15 spot for public administration this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 57 public administration degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Texas State University San Marcos earn around $55,855 in the first couple years of their career. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $27,418 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Texas State University San Marcos

16

Grand Canyon University placed #16 among the best public administration schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Phoenix. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Canyon University awarded about 233 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $63,014 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $30,027. See the full public administration program report for Grand Canyon University

17

University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #17 spot for public administration this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. University Of North Texas At Dallas graduates 42% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Read more about the public administration program at University Of North Texas At Dallas

18

Rio Salado College came in at #18 for public administration this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. There were roughly 27 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Rio Salado College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Rio Salado College earn around $48,564 in the first couple years of their career. Rio Salado College graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Rio Salado College

19

West Texas A And M University earned the #19 position for public administration this year. Located in the town of Canyon, West Texas A And M University is a large public university. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. West Texas A And M University awarded about 10 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from West Texas A And M University generally make around $43,515. West Texas A And M University graduates carry a median of $24,798 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for West Texas A And M University

20

Wayland Baptist University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Plainview. About 19% of students finish within six years. About 17 public administration degrees were awarded at Wayland Baptist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $59,730. Wayland Baptist University graduates carry a median of $30,204 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Wayland Baptist University

21

University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #21 spot for public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Central Oklahoma awarded about 23 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $44,085 in their early career. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Central Oklahoma

22

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #22 spot for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At San Antonio awarded about 56 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,385 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the public administration program at The University Of Texas At San Antonio

23

Northern Arizona University landed the #23 spot for public administration this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. About 45 public administration degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Northern Arizona University earn around $47,056 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Northern Arizona University

24

University Of Houston Clear Lake ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Clear Lake is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Houston Clear Lake graduates 52% of students within six years. About 12 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Clear Lake in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of $51,252 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,100. See the full public administration program report for University Of Houston Clear Lake

25

University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #25 for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 21 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $61,253 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,738. Get the full public administration details for University Of New Mexico Main Campus

Rest of the Top 31 Public Administration Schools

These schools also placed among the best for public administration this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31

Narrow Public Administration Schools by State

View All Public Administration Rankings >

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 · 31 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options