2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #2 place for public administration. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $36,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #3 place for public administration. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $57,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

4

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $66,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

5

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #5 place for public administration. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,965. Early-career public administration graduates make about $59,179. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $64,423 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

7

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino landed the #7 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $49,144. That is a strong return on a $13,300 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge placed #8 among the best values for public administration. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $37,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $77,004. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno earned the #9 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $62,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

10

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus came in at #10 for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,242, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $51,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

11

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield earned the #11 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

12

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University came in at #12 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,804 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $52,155. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

13

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #13 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $71,708. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

14

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College earned the #14 position for value in public administration this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,389. Early-career public administration graduates make about $57,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

15

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University landed the #15 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

16

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay came in at #16 for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,073. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University East Bay generally make around $84,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

17

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,466. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

18

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #18 for value in public administration this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $27,022 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,689. Set against $27,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

19

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #19 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $63,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

20

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College landed the #20 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $38,521 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #21 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

22

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.

23

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University placed #23 among the best values for public administration. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield came in at #24 for value in public administration this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $61,014. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.

25

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System came in at #25 for value in public administration this year. Located in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of American Public University System earn a median of $70,882 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.