2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in California
[Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked California State University Dominguez Hills the best value for a degree in public administration in California. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,965 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $59,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for public administration. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Public Administration graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $66,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,273. Public Administration graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $36,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #4 place for public administration. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $13,300 to complete the public administration program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Stanislaus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #5 spot this year. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $51,008. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.
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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,671. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $64,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University Bakersfield came in at #7 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,087 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. 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 $77,004. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fresno ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $62,889. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for public administration value this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $71,708 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University East Bay ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the suburb of Hayward, California State University East Bay is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,583, with out-of-state students paying around $20,183. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $18,073 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $84,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University landed the #12 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $85,122. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Southwestern College Chula Vista landed the #13 spot for public administration value this year. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. In-state tuition and fees average $1,344, while out-of-state students pay about $10,640. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Jose State University earned the #14 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Riverside landed the #15 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $19,187. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico placed #16 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,591 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,475. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
San Diego State University earned the #17 position for value in public administration this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,000. Early-career public administration graduates make about $56,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Azusa Pacific University earned the #18 position for value in public administration this year. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,458. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,709. 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. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Touro University Worldwide ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Los Alamitos, Touro University Worldwide is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,640. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $32,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Touro University Worldwide generally make around $53,841. That is a strong return on a $32,289 median debt.
University Of The Pacific earned the #20 position for value in public administration this year. University Of The Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Stockton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,080. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,514. Early-career public administration graduates make about $66,784. Set against $23,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
California Lutheran University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $52,560. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $22,727. Early-career public administration graduates make about $54,840. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of La Verne came in at #22 for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of La Verne, University Of La Verne is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,470. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $29,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of La Verne generally make around $35,364. That is a strong return on a $29,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
California Baptist University earned the #23 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,228. Students borrow a median of $39,244 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $74,317 early in their careers. Set against $39,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
National University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $13,284. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $31,603. Early-career public administration graduates make about $75,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #25 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $70,199. Set against $27,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Public Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration:
More Public Administration Rankings
View All Public Administration Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
