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

8 Colleges in the United States
$29,019 Avg Student Debt
$49,469 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 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 Georgia

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

Best Value Public Administration Schools

1

Clayton State University earned the #1 spot for value among public administration schools in Georgia. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,180, while out-of-state students pay about $16,532. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $35,088 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $42,114 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $35,088 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #2 place for public administration. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $54,613. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

3

A rank of #3 makes Savannah State University one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $31,576 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. That is a strong return on a $31,576 median debt.

4

Valdosta State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, compared with $17,836 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $43,810 early in their careers. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

5
Augusta University crest
Augusta University
Augusta, GA

Augusta University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,414 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. Students borrow a median of $25,745 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $48,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Augusta University admits about 86% of applicants.

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6

Georgia State University placed #6 among the best values for public administration. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,091 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $56,196 early in their careers. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.

7

University Of West Georgia earned the #7 position for value in public administration this year. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $47,999. That is a strong return on a $26,789 median debt. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.

8

Albany State University came in at #8 for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,656, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $28,158. Public Administration graduates of Albany State University earn a median of $40,384 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Georgia Southern University earned the #9 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $43,325 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.

10

Kennesaw State University earned the #10 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $27,004 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $50,197. Set against $27,004 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Strayer University Georgia ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Strayer University Georgia is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Chamblee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,920. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $47,631. Public Administration graduates of Strayer University Georgia earn a median of $49,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $47,631 median debt.

12

Georgia College And State University placed #12 among the best values for public administration. Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Milledgeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,186, compared with $29,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $24,412. Early-career public administration graduates make about $56,175. Set against $24,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

13

Clark Atlanta University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Clark Atlanta University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $28,310. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $27,803. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Clark Atlanta University generally make around $44,574. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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