2026 Best Public Administration Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Our analysis ranked University Of Southern California the best school in the country for a degree in public administration. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 172 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $78,453 in their early career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for University Of Southern California

2

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 148 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $70,392 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

3

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 89 public administration degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $64,423 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. See the full public administration program report for California State University Long Beach

4

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. About 70% of students finish within six years. California State University Fullerton awarded about 56 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $36,626 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,273. More information about a degree in public administration from California State University Fullerton

5

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #5. Set in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public institution. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 public administration students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. See the full public administration program report for San Jose State University

6

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 39 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of San Francisco generally make around $87,976. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. Get the full public administration details for University Of San Francisco

7

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University earned the #7 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 39 public administration degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $85,122 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024. See the full public administration program report for San Francisco State University

8

California State University East Bay
Hayward, CA

California State University East Bay earned the #8 position for public administration this year. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. California State University East Bay graduates 48% of students within six years. California State University East Bay awarded about 44 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from California State University East Bay earn around $84,881 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,073. Get the full public administration details for California State University East Bay

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #9 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 public administration students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $71,708 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $17,492 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for California State University Sacramento

10

California State University Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles earned the #10 position for public administration this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 public administration students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from California State University Los Angeles earn around $66,365 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at California State University Los Angeles

11

San Diego State University
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University landed the #11 spot for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 98 public administration degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $56,415 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

California State University Northridge
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge earned the #12 position for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Northridge. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Northridge awarded about 173 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $77,004. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at California State University Northridge

13

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon earned the #13 position for public administration this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. University Of Oregon graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Oregon awarded about 80 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $39,365 early in their careers. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $16,166 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for University Of Oregon

14

California State University San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino earned the #14 position for public administration this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. About 55% of students finish within six years. About 97 public administration degrees were awarded at California State University San Bernardino in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from California State University San Bernardino earn around $49,144 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,300. Get the full public administration details for California State University San Bernardino

15

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #15 position for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 133 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from California State University Dominguez Hills earn around $59,179 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,965. Get the full public administration details for California State University Dominguez Hills

16

Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University placed #16 among the best public administration schools. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. About 76% of students finish within six years. Seattle University awarded about 31 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $68,749. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Seattle University

17

Golden Gate University San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Golden Gate University San Francisco ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Golden Gate University San Francisco is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Golden Gate University San Francisco awarded about 39 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $91,136 in their early career. Golden Gate University San Francisco graduates carry a median of $33,968 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Golden Gate University San Francisco

18

Azusa Pacific University
Azusa, CA

Azusa Pacific University placed #18 among the best public administration schools. Azusa Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Azusa Pacific University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Azusa Pacific University earn around $58,302 in the first couple years of their career. Azusa Pacific University graduates carry a median of $23,709 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Azusa Pacific University

19

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University landed the #19 spot for public administration this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 27 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $73,655. Typical student debt for the program is $26,475. Read more about the public administration program at Portland State University

20

National University
San Diego, CA

National University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the city of San Diego, National University is a very large private not-for-profit university. National University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 81 public administration degrees were awarded at National University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from National University generally make around $75,141. National University graduates carry a median of $31,603 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at National University

21

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Aliso Viejo, CA

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earned the #21 position for public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. About 12 public administration degrees were awarded at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System generally make around $70,199. Students borrow a median of $27,471 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

22

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Reno. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $50,691. Typical student debt for the program is $19,918. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Nevada Reno

23

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno placed #23 among the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fresno awarded about 19 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from California State University Fresno earn around $62,889 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,598 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from California State University Fresno

24

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University came in at #24 for public administration this year. Set in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit institution. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. About 45 public administration degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $74,317. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $39,244 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from California Baptist University

25

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside placed #25 among the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Riverside in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $40,040 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for University Of California Riverside