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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in New York

11 Colleges in the United States
$22,118 Avg Student Debt
$72,894 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in New York

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

Best Value Public Administration Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in public administration in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. 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. The acceptance rate is 48%.

2

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $57,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

3
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, 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. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

4
Suny Empire State College crest
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 #4 spot this year. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,693. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

A rank of #5 makes Suny At Albany one of the best values for public administration. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,521. Early-career public administration graduates make about $61,642. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.

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6

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #6 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,258. Early-career public administration graduates make about $89,478. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

7

Suny College At Brockport ranked #7 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. Public Administration graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $46,023 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

8

Suny At Binghamton came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,800 early in their careers. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

9

Metropolitan College Of New York ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Metropolitan College Of New York is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,188. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $42,218 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Metropolitan College Of New York generally make around $49,765. That is a strong return on a $42,218 median debt. Metropolitan College Of New York admits about 90% of applicants.

10

Cornell University earned the #10 position for value in public administration this year. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $61,190. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.

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New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,796. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $82,887. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

12
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College came in at #12 for value in public administration this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $47,620 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $84,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

13
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #13 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $68,350. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 27 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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