2026 Best Public Administration Schools in the Southwest Region

1

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 153 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $55,944 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Texas A And M University College Station

2

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #2. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 68 public administration degrees were awarded at Arizona State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $55,985 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for Arizona State University

3

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at The University Of Texas At Dallas, which ranked #3. 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. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 60 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $46,992 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,961. See the full public administration program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas

4

Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration, ranking #4. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. Sam Houston State University awarded about 18 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $46,365 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,850. Get the full public administration details for Sam Houston State University

5

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 public administration degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Texas Tech University

6

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Houston. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $57,529. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for University Of Houston

7

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #7 position for public administration this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 128 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $64,946. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $21,632 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from The University Of Texas At Arlington

8

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona came in at #8 for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 46 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of Arizona earn around $44,518 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Arizona

9

Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University earned the #9 position for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the town of Stephenville. Tarleton State University graduates 48% of students within six years. About 58 public administration degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Tarleton State University generally make around $67,986. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete this degree. See the full public administration program report for Tarleton State University

10

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
Norman, OK

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #10 for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Norman. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $58,736 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,548 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

11

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin
Odessa, TX

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #11 spot for public administration this year. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. About 40% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin awarded about 29 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

12

Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University placed #12 among the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Beaumont. Roughly 37% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lamar University awarded about 18 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. Read more about the public administration program at Lamar University

13

University Of North Texas At Dallas
Dallas, TX

University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #13 for public administration this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Dallas. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. See the full public administration program report for University Of North Texas At Dallas

14

University Of North Texas
Denton, TX

University Of North Texas earned the #14 position for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Denton. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 35 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Texas in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $55,873 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,817. Get the full public administration details for University Of North Texas

15

Texas State University San Marcos
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Marcos. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 69 public administration degrees were awarded at Texas State University San Marcos in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $55,855. Texas State University San Marcos graduates carry a median of $27,418 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Texas State University San Marcos

16

Rio Salado College
Tempe, AZ

Rio Salado College came in at #16 for public administration this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. There were roughly 25 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Rio Salado College in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Rio Salado College graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Rio Salado College

17

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University landed the #17 spot for public administration this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Phoenix. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. About 173 public administration degrees were awarded at Grand Canyon University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $63,014 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration program at Grand Canyon University

18

Texas A And M International University
Laredo, TX

Texas A And M International University placed #18 among the best public administration schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 17 public administration degrees were awarded at Texas A And M International University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Texas A And M International University graduates carry a median of $15,095 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Texas A And M International University

19

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #19 for public administration this year. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 public administration degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for Northern Arizona University

20

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #20 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 20 public administration students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn around $61,253 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of New Mexico Main Campus

21

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #21 among the best public administration schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 62 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $49,385 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the public administration program at The University Of Texas At San Antonio

22

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #22 position for public administration this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 65 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from The University Of Texas Pan American earn around $51,938 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,694. More information about a degree in public administration from The University Of Texas Pan American

23

University Of Central Oklahoma
Edmond, OK

University Of Central Oklahoma landed the #23 spot for public administration this year. Set in the suburb of Edmond, University Of Central Oklahoma is a large public institution. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates 37% of students within six years. About 36 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Central Oklahoma in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $44,085 in their early career. University Of Central Oklahoma graduates carry a median of $23,321 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of Central Oklahoma

24

Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University landed the #24 spot for public administration this year. Located in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 19%. About 16 public administration degrees were awarded at Wayland Baptist University in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $59,730 early in their careers. Wayland Baptist University graduates carry a median of $30,204 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration from Wayland Baptist University

25

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Phoenix. The six-year graduation rate is 16%. About 228 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of Phoenix Arizona in the most recent year. Public Administration graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $60,204 early in their careers. University Of Phoenix Arizona graduates carry a median of $45,656 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at University Of Phoenix Arizona