2026 Best Public Administration Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

No school ranked higher than Johns Hopkins University this year for public administration. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 84 public administration degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $78,510 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Johns Hopkins University

2

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #2. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 60 public administration degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from George Washington University earn around $78,177 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910. Read more about the public administration program at George Washington University

3

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for public administration. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 169 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $83,208 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Pennsylvania

4

American University
Washington, DC

Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at American University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. American University awarded about 162 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $78,068 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for American University

5

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus one of the top schools for public administration. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 55 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $59,098 in their early career. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

6

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #6 for public administration this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 262 public administration degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of New York University earn a median of $82,887 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for New York University

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #7 spot for public administration this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 409 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $89,478 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

8

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University came in at #8 for public administration this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 95% of students finish within six years. Cornell University awarded about 129 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $61,190 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005. More information about a degree in public administration from Cornell University

9

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University landed the #9 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Syracuse University awarded about 227 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $68,350 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Syracuse University

10

Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #10 among the best public administration schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 78 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Villanova University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,577. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Villanova University

11

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #11 among the best public administration schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 170 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $58,595 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

12

Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College landed the #12 spot for public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. About 52 public administration degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Marist College earn around $84,712 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,962. More information about a degree in public administration from Marist College

13

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany landed the #13 spot for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albany. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Suny At Albany awarded about 77 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Suny At Albany earn around $61,642 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,521. See the full public administration program report for Suny At Albany

14

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #14 for public administration this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. About 34% of students finish within six years. About 70 public administration degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent year. Get the full public administration details for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

15

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 48 public administration students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. See the full public administration program report for West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

16

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #16 position for public administration this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 17 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $66,915 in the first couple years of their career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Carnegie Mellon University

17

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This large public university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 145 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn around $57,673 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,895. Read more about the public administration program at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

18

Rutgers University Newark
Newark, NJ

Rutgers University Newark earned the #18 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 79 public administration degrees were awarded at Rutgers University Newark in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $58,428 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,065 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Rutgers University Newark

19

Cuny Graduate School And University Center
New York, NY

Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #19 position for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 13 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn around $72,222 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Read more about the public administration program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

20

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware landed the #20 spot for public administration this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Delaware awarded about 29 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Delaware earn around $58,115 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Delaware

21

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 62 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $51,800 in their early career. Suny At Binghamton graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Suny At Binghamton

22

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College came in at #22 for public administration this year. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. There were roughly 68 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $74,053. University Of Maryland University College graduates carry a median of $29,202 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for University Of Maryland University College

23

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Teaneck, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus placed #23 among the best public administration schools. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 55 public administration degrees were awarded at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $66,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus

24

Rutgers University Camden
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden came in at #24 for public administration this year. Set in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University Camden in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $58,428. Rutgers University Camden graduates carry a median of $24,577 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Rutgers University Camden

25

Excelsior College
Albany, NY

Excelsior College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Albany. There were roughly 31 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Excelsior College in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Excelsior College earn a median of $70,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,311. Get the full public administration details for Excelsior College