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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools

48 Colleges in the United States
1,776 Public Administration Degrees Awarded
$49,951 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 501 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public administration students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Public Administration in the United States

Below are the best public administration schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Public Administration

1

Indiana University Bloomington is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 379 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $47,013 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,731. Read more about the public administration program at Indiana University Bloomington

2

A rank of #2 makes George Mason University one of the top schools for public administration. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 public administration students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $56,674. Typical student debt for the program is $20,106. More information about a degree in public administration from George Mason University

3
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at Syracuse University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 55 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $53,912 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in public administration from Syracuse University

4

California State University Fullerton is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #4. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 public administration students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $36,626 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from California State University Fullerton

5
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

A rank of #5 makes James Madison University one of the top schools for public administration. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 45 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $48,396 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. More information about a degree in public administration from James Madison University

6

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #6 among the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $68,911 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

7

University Of Oregon came in at #7 for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Eugene. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Oregon awarded about 66 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Oregon earn around $39,365 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,166 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Oregon

8

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #8 position for public administration this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 30 public administration degrees were awarded at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $37,792. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

9

Ohio State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 59 public administration degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $41,650 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,887. Read more about the public administration program at Ohio State University Main Campus

10

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice landed the #10 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates 56% of students within six years. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice awarded about 41 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $48,881 early in their careers. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

11

San Diego State University came in at #11 for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. San Diego State University graduates 76% of students within six years. San Diego State University awarded about 52 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $41,020 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from San Diego State University

12

Florida Atlantic University came in at #12 for public administration this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. About 63% of students finish within six years. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 45 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $46,047 early in their careers. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Florida Atlantic University

13

California State University Northridge landed the #13 spot for public administration this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 public administration degrees were awarded at California State University Northridge in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from California State University Northridge earn around $76,049 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $37,500. Get the full public administration details for California State University Northridge

14

University Of Maryland University College earned the #14 position for public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland University College awarded about 48 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $74,053. Typical student debt for the program is $29,202. Get the full public administration details for University Of Maryland University College

15

California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. About 43% of students finish within six years. About 47 public administration degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $45,471 in their early career. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $18,965 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for California State University Dominguez Hills

16

Miami University Oxford earned the #16 position for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Miami University Oxford awarded about 13 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $45,278 in their early career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $25,731 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Miami University Oxford

17

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #17 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis awarded about 41 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $43,110. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in public administration from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

18

Western Carolina University placed #18 among the best public administration schools. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Western Carolina University graduates 60% of students within six years. Western Carolina University awarded about 105 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $56,445 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Western Carolina University

19

University Of Central Florida landed the #19 spot for public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. About 29 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $38,681. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $22,453 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Central Florida

20

University Of California Riverside landed the #20 spot for public administration this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $40,040 in their early career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for University Of California Riverside

21

University Of Arizona ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 23 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $39,136. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Arizona

22
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA

National University placed #22 among the best public administration schools. National University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. About 50% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 public administration students who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of National University earn a median of $77,077 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $31,603 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from National University

23

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #23 for public administration this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $36,328 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,961 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at The University Of Texas At Dallas

24
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University placed #24 among the best public administration schools. This large public university is located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Central Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $46,301 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,500. See the full public administration program report for Central Michigan University

25

University Of La Verne earned the #25 position for public administration this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Verne. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. University Of La Verne awarded about 14 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of La Verne earn a median of $35,364 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,333 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for University Of La Verne

Rest of the Top 43 Public Administration Schools

These schools also placed among the best for public administration this year:

26
27
28
29
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
30
31
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
32
33
Flagler College St Augustine crest
Flagler College St Augustine
Saint Augustine, FL
34
35
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO
36
37
38
39
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
40
41
42
University Of Guam crest
University Of Guam
Mangilao, GU
43
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

Other Public Administration Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Public Administration rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Public Administration
Associate's Degrees in Public Administration
Master's Degrees in Public Administration
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View All Public Administration Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 501 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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