2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

For return on investment in public administration, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

2

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #2 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, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. 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 $57,673 early in their careers. Set against $13,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Cuny City College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

4

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $29,202. Early-career public administration graduates make about $74,053. That is a strong return on a $29,202 median debt.

5

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,693. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,140. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.

6

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University landed the #6 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $13,426. Early-career public administration graduates make about $78,510. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

7

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Teaneck, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #7 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $24,770. Public Administration graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $66,770 early in their careers. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

8

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University landed the #8 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $50,338. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.

9

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #9 for value in public administration this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $58,115 early in their careers. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

10

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,752 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $46,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

11

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,521. Early-career public administration graduates make about $61,642. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Baltimore landed the #12 spot for public administration value this year. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $23,984 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $67,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

13

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #13 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $89,478 early in their careers. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

14

Rutgers University Camden
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden came in at #14 for value in public administration this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,428. Set against $24,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

15

Rutgers University Newark
Newark, NJ

Rutgers University Newark came in at #15 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Students borrow a median of $25,065 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $58,428 early in their careers. Set against $25,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

16

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #16 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

17

Bowie State University
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University landed the #17 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,218, with out-of-state students paying around $19,938. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $28,474. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Bowie State University generally make around $73,949. Set against $28,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.

18

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton placed #18 among the best values for public administration. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,800. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

19

Strayer University Global Region
Washington, DC

Strayer University Global Region landed the #19 spot for public administration value this year. Strayer University Global Region is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $45,932 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Strayer University Global Region generally make around $49,512. That is a strong return on a $45,932 median debt.

20

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

21

Metropolitan College Of New York
New York, NY

Metropolitan College Of New York earned the #21 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of New York, Metropolitan College Of New York is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,188. Students borrow a median of $42,218 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,765. Set against $42,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Metropolitan College Of New York admits about 90% of applicants.

22

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #22 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $59,098. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

23

Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Seton Hall University generally make around $52,985. Set against $23,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania placed #24 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $83,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

25

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,529. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $66,915. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.