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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Indiana

6 Colleges in the United States
$27,949 Avg Student Debt
$52,493 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Public Administration Badge [Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration schools.

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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Indiana

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Public Administration Schools

1

For return on investment in public administration, no school beat Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis this year. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earn a median of $66,900 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.

2
Purdue University Global crest
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Purdue University Global, which ranked #2. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Global is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,101 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,412. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $36,778 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Purdue University Global earn a median of $54,735 early in their careers. Set against $36,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,731 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,731 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

4

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,648. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $32,807. Early-career public administration graduates make about $47,491. That is a strong return on a $32,807 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes Calumet College Of Saint Joseph one of the best values for public administration. Calumet College Of Saint Joseph is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Whiting. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,850. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,428 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $111,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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