2026 Best Value Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in public administration in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $37,792. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at California State University Fullerton, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $36,626. Set against $13,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,895. Early-career public administration graduates make about $48,881. That is a strong return on a $13,895 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at California State University Dominguez Hills, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $45,471. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

5

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $76,049. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

6

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #6 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $19,804. Public Administration graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $46,047 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

7

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Indian River State College placed #7 among the best values for public administration. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $38,521. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.

8

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $27,022. Early-career public administration graduates make about $46,281. That is a strong return on a $27,022 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

9

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida came in at #9 for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $22,453. Public Administration graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $38,681 early in their careers. Set against $22,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

10

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #10 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,287. Public Administration graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

11

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $31,809 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $42,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis placed #12 among the best values for public administration. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $43,110. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

13

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University came in at #13 for value in public administration this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,375. Public Administration graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $56,445 early in their careers. Set against $18,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

14

University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapolei, HI

University Of Hawaii West Oahu came in at #14 for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,584, with out-of-state students paying around $20,544. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Hawaii West Oahu admits about 95% of applicants.

15

University Of Guam
Mangilao, GU

University Of Guam earned the #15 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Mangilao, University Of Guam is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,414. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $15,650 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Guam earn a median of $26,880 early in their careers. Set against $15,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $38,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #17 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

18

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $45,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.

19

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington placed #19 among the best values for public administration. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,731. Early-career public administration graduates make about $47,013. Set against $20,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

20

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College placed #20 among the best values for public administration. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $29,202. Public Administration graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $74,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #21 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $45,656. Early-career public administration graduates make about $61,790. That is a strong return on a $45,656 median debt.

22

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #22 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Students borrow a median of $27,187 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $44,951. That is a strong return on a $27,187 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.

23

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University placed #23 among the best values for public administration. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $41,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.

24

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $39,136 early in their careers. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

25

Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #25 among the best values for public administration. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,480. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $46,301. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Michigan University admits about 90% of applicants.