2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

For return on investment in public administration, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $36,626 early in their careers. Set against $13,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

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 #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $66,365. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.

3

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

A rank of #3 makes California State University Dominguez Hills one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, with out-of-state students paying around $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $59,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. California State University Dominguez Hills admits about 93% of applicants.

4

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,300 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #6 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $64,423. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

7

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge came in at #7 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $37,500. Early-career public administration graduates make about $77,004. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.

8

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield earned the #8 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno came in at #9 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,598. Early-career public administration graduates make about $62,889. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,708 early in their careers. Set against $17,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

11

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #11 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,181 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $63,996. Set against $21,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

12

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay landed the #12 spot for public administration value this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. In-state tuition and fees average $7,583, while out-of-state students pay about $20,183. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,073. Early-career public administration graduates make about $84,881. Set against $18,073 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University East Bay admits about 97% of applicants.

13

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast earned the #13 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Juneau. In-state tuition and fees average $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,458. Public Administration graduates of University Of Alaska Southeast earn a median of $56,741 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,458 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

14

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University came in at #14 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $85,122. Set against $17,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #15 among the best values for public administration. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $70,392 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

16

Southwestern College Chula Vista
Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College Chula Vista ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Southwestern College Chula Vista earn a median of $49,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,205 median debt.

17

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #17 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $26,475. Public Administration graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $73,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Hawaii West Oahu
Kapolei, HI

University Of Hawaii West Oahu landed the #18 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Kapolei, University Of Hawaii West Oahu is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,584, compared with $20,544 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Hawaii West Oahu earn a median of $42,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.

19

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University landed the #19 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.

20

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #20 for value in public administration this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.

21

California State University Chico
Chico, CA

California State University Chico earned the #21 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,472 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,591. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Chico generally make around $52,475. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno earned the #22 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $19,918 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $50,691. That is a strong return on a $19,918 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.

23

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #23 spot for public administration value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $56,415. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.

24

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University landed the #24 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $44,458. Students borrow a median of $23,709 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Azusa Pacific University generally make around $58,302. Set against $23,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Azusa Pacific University admits about 88% of applicants.

25

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon earned the #25 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $16,166. Public Administration graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $39,365 early in their careers. Set against $16,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.