2026 Best Value Public Administration Schools in Texas

1

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University tops our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools in Texas. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $15,095. 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 strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #2 place for public administration. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $51,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

3

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at University Of North Texas At Dallas, which ranked #3. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.

4

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin, which ranked #4. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,052 in student loans. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

5

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

Students looking for strong value in public administration will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #5. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

6

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #6 for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $20,500. Early-career public administration graduates make about $49,385. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

7

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,905, with out-of-state students paying around $18,745. Students borrow a median of $26,988 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.

8

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $21,255. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

9

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas landed the #9 spot for public administration value this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $55,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

10

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $64,946. That is a strong return on a $21,632 median debt. The University Of Texas At Arlington admits about 80% of applicants.

11

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University came in at #11 for value in public administration this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,850 to complete the public administration program here. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos earned the #12 position for value in public administration this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $27,418 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $55,855. Set against $27,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

13

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #13 position 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. Students borrow a median of $17,961 to complete the public administration program here. Early-career public administration graduates make about $46,992. Set against $17,961 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

14

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University landed the #14 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career public administration graduates make about $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.

15

Texas Southern University
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University placed #15 among the best values for public administration. Located in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,637, while out-of-state students pay about $21,473. Typical student debt for public administration graduates is $35,330. Early-career public administration graduates make about $52,223. Set against $35,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

16

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration schools. Tarleton State University is a large public school located in the town of Stephenville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete the public administration program here. Public Administration graduates of Tarleton State University earn a median of $67,986 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,222 median debt. Tarleton State University admits about 90% of applicants.

17

Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University landed the #17 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $23,782 in tuition and fees. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $30,204 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $59,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 56%.

18

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #18 spot for public administration value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Public Administration graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Early-career public administration graduates make about $55,944. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.