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DEBUG: Checking offer "Public Administration (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Public Administration (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Public Administration (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Public Administration (I Have a Bachelors)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MBA - Public Administration (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 1
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2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Virginia
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
Our analysis ranked George Mason University the best value for a degree in public administration in Virginia. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,106. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $67,375. Set against $20,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Old Dominion University one of the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. 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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Virginia Commonwealth University one of the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $53,777. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Regent University one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,650 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $29,451. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $55,462. Set against $29,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Regent University admits about 38% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes James Madison University one of the best values for public administration. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $19,500. Early-career public administration graduates make about $48,396. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
ADBLOCK #101
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $74,121. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Liberty University earned the #7 position for value in public administration this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $27,414. Public Administration graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $57,882 early in their careers. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
[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.
