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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Florida

11 Colleges in the United States
$21,675 Avg Student Debt
$55,392 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Public Administration Badge [Public Administration](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration education at a price that pays off.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 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 Florida

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Public Administration Schools

1

Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for public administration in Florida. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,804 to complete the public administration program here. 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

Indian River State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $38,521. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt.

3
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $31,809. Public Administration graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $42,735 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

A rank of #4 makes Florida International University one of the best values for public administration. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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%.

5

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,829. 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. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

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6

Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #6 for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $54,883. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of North Florida landed the #7 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,964 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,407. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $18,523 in student loans. 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. Roughly 53% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Central Florida came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Students borrow a median of $22,453 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $49,212. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

9
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,466. That is a strong return on a $20,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

10

Barry University earned the #10 position for value in public administration this year. Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,350. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $25,728 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Barry University generally make around $84,607. Set against $25,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.

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11
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine placed #11 among the best values for public administration. Located in the suburb of Saint Augustine, Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,900. Students borrow a median of $21,485 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Flagler College St Augustine generally make around $61,613. Set against $21,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.

12
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University landed the #12 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Students borrow a median of $25,021 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $66,078 early in their careers. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.

13
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #13 for value in public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $69,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.

14
Lynn University crest
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL

Lynn University came in at #14 for value in public administration this year. Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $44,480. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,391 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Lynn University earn a median of $50,569 early in their careers. Set against $21,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

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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 · 17 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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