2026 Best Value Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for public administration in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,250. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $79,397. 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

California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $36,626. That is a strong return on a $13,273 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,895. Public Administration graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $66,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. 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.

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. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. 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 $72,886. That is a strong return on a $18,965 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for public administration value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the public administration program here. 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 San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. 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 $61,318. Set against $13,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $37,500. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $77,959. Set against $37,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

9

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,598. Public Administration graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $62,889 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

10

California State University Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University Stanislaus earned the #10 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $14,813. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Stanislaus generally make around $51,008. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Stanislaus admits about 98% of applicants.

11

California State University Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA

California State University Bakersfield came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. California State University Bakersfield is a large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

12

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

13

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $13,389 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $57,399. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

14

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University landed the #14 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $42,029. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

15

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay ranked #15 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. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 97%.

16

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #16 position for value in public administration this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $56,061. Set against $20,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

17

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #17 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $27,022. Early-career public administration graduates make about $59,096. Set against $27,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

18

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University earned the #18 position 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,804 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

19

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #19 spot for public administration value this year. University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,181. Early-career public administration graduates make about $63,996. That is a strong return on a $21,181 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

20

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #20 spot for public administration value this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,052. Early-career public administration graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.

21

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #21 for value in public administration this year. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.

22

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University placed #22 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

23

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #23 position for value in public administration this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,925 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $61,014. That is a strong return on a $24,925 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

24

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

American Public University System landed the #24 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,438. Early-career public administration graduates make about $70,882. Set against $23,438 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #25 spot for public administration value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $51,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.