2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Our analysis ranked Florida Atlantic University the best value for a degree in public administration in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $52,155. Set against $19,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

2

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Students borrow a median of $27,022 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

3

American Public University System
Charles Town, WV

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American Public University System earned it the #3 place for public administration. Set in the town of Charles Town, American Public University System is a very large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,438. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from American Public University System generally make around $70,882. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt.

4

Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at Indian River State College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $38,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.

5

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

A rank of #5 makes Northern Kentucky University one of the best values for public administration. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $58,199. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

6

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #6 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,125 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,466. That is a strong return on a $20,125 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $56,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #8 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,368 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,453 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $49,212 early in their careers. Set against $22,453 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

9

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University earned the #9 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $53,876. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #10 among the best values for public administration. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $66,534 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

11

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,015. Early-career public administration graduates make about $54,883. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

12

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College placed #12 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $31,809. Early-career public administration graduates make about $42,735. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Clayton State University
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University landed the #13 spot for public administration value this year. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. Students from in state pay about $5,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $35,088. Public Administration graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $42,114 early in their careers. Set against $35,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.

14

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University came in at #14 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $45,060. That is a strong return on a $29,489 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

15

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University earned the #15 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $54,235. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.

16

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #16 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $48,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.

17

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, with out-of-state students paying around $19,407. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $18,523. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Florida earn a median of $53,302 early in their careers. Set against $18,523 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.

18

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University landed the #18 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $18,375 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $54,286. That is a strong return on a $18,375 median debt. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.

19

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Pembroke, NC

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #19 spot for public administration value this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $27,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $46,323. That is a strong return on a $27,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

20

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #20 spot for public administration value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $54,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

21

Arkansas State University Main Campus
Jonesboro, AR

Arkansas State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,399. Early-career public administration graduates make about $64,900. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

22

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University earned the #22 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $65,888 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

23

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #23 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $24,673. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $59,111 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.

24

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University came in at #24 for value in public administration this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,772 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $46,625 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,772 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.

25

University Of Louisiana Monroe
Monroe, LA

University Of Louisiana Monroe landed the #25 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of Monroe, University Of Louisiana Monroe is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,190 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,290. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $22,465. Public Administration graduates of University Of Louisiana Monroe earn a median of $48,537 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,465 median debt. University Of Louisiana Monroe admits about 85% of applicants.