2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

For return on investment in public administration, no school beat Texas A And M International University this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,095 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.

2

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $14,694. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $51,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

A rank of #3 makes University Of North Texas At Dallas one of the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. University Of North Texas At Dallas admits about 84% of applicants.

4

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,607 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

5

Rio Salado College
Tempe, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #5 place for public administration. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University placed #6 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $52,678 early in their careers. Set against $26,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

7

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #7 spot for public administration value this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,500. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,385 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

8

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #8 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $19,819. Early-career public administration graduates make about $48,335. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

9

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,842. Early-career public administration graduates make about $55,985. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

10

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston came in at #10 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $57,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

11

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #11 spot for public administration value this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $45,656. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $60,204. Set against $45,656 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas placed #12 among the best values for public administration. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Students borrow a median of $21,817 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $55,873. That is a strong return on a $21,817 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University earned the #13 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,645. Early-career public administration graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

14

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #14 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $21,632 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $64,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

15

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona placed #15 among the best values for public administration. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $44,518. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

16

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,850 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

17

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos landed the #17 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $27,418. Public Administration graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $55,855 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #18 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,548 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $58,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.

19

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #19 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $17,961. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $46,992. Set against $17,961 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.

20

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #20 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $19,738. Early-career public administration graduates make about $61,253. Set against $19,738 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.

21

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma came in at #21 for value in public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,818, compared with $19,704 for out-of-state students. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Central Oklahoma generally make around $44,085. Set against $23,321 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Oklahoma admits about 78% of applicants.

22

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University earned the #22 position for value in public administration this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.

23

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University placed #23 among the best values for public administration. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,637 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,473 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $35,330 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Texas Southern University generally make around $52,223. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

24

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University placed #24 among the best values for public administration. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $23,222. Early-career public administration graduates make about $67,986. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.

25

Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University came in at #25 for value in public administration this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,782. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $30,204. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Wayland Baptist University generally make around $59,730. That is a strong return on a $30,204 median debt. Wayland Baptist University admits about 56% of applicants.