2026 Best Public Administration Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 54 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $74,121 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393. Get the full public administration details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

2

Clemson University
Clemson, SC

A rank of #2 makes Clemson University one of the top schools for public administration. Clemson University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Clemson. About 87% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Clemson University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Clemson University generally make around $65,949. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Clemson University

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 52 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $66,534. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 100 public administration degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $67,375 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,106. Get the full public administration details for George Mason University

5

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. James Madison University graduates 80% of students within six years. About 54 public administration degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $48,396 in their early career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for James Madison University

6

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #6 for public administration this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 104 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $49,466. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,125 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Florida State University

7

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 19 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $69,710 early in their careers. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Miami

8

Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University landed the #8 spot for public administration this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. Lipscomb University awarded about 42 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Lipscomb University

9

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia came in at #9 for public administration this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 73 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $54,613. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Georgia

10

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University earned the #10 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 public administration degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $52,155 early in their careers. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $19,804 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Florida Atlantic University

11

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University earned the #11 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $53,777 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,813. See the full public administration program report for Virginia Commonwealth University

12

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #12 for public administration this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 45 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $51,393 early in their careers. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

13

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Charlotte, NC

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #13 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $59,111. Typical student debt for the program is $24,673. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

14

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University earned the #14 position for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Auburn University awarded about 51 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $55,422 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. Get the full public administration details for Auburn University

15

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #15 position for public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Central Florida graduates 78% of students within six years. University Of Central Florida awarded about 158 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $49,212 in their early career. 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

16

Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University landed the #16 spot for public administration this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Western Carolina University graduates 60% of students within six years. Western Carolina University awarded about 123 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $54,286 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,375 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for Western Carolina University

17

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #17 for public administration this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. There were roughly 39 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $55,859 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

18

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #18 among the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 137 public administration degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,689 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,022 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Florida International University

19

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University earned the #19 position for public administration this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $46,655. Students borrow a median of $21,992 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for Appalachian State University

20

Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University landed the #20 spot for public administration this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 28 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Gardner Webb University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $63,220 in their early career. Gardner Webb University graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Gardner Webb University

21

Lincoln Memorial University
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the town of Harrogate, Lincoln Memorial University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Lincoln Memorial University graduates 47% of students within six years. Lincoln Memorial University awarded about 15 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Lincoln Memorial University earn around $64,307 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,693 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Lincoln Memorial University

22

Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #22 position for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 27 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $54,883 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Florida Gulf Coast University

23

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 42 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Old Dominion University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $65,888 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001. More information about a degree in public administration from Old Dominion University

24

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University placed #24 among the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. East Carolina University awarded about 15 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from East Carolina University earn around $51,931 in the first couple years of their career. East Carolina University graduates carry a median of $24,747 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at East Carolina University

25

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. About 21 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $56,031 early in their careers. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of South Florida Main Campus