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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Public Administration Schools in Texas

13 Colleges in the United States
840 Public Administration Degrees Awarded
$54,038 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 35 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 Texas

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public administration degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Public Administration

1

Leading the list is Texas A And M University College Station, our #1 school for public administration. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. 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. Public Administration graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $55,944 early in their careers. 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

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas At Dallas one of the top schools for public administration. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The University Of Texas At Dallas graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 60 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from The University Of Texas At Dallas earn around $46,992 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,961 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from The University Of Texas At Dallas

3

Sam Houston State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. 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. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for Sam Houston State University

4

Students looking for a strong public administration program will find one at Texas Tech University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Texas Tech University

5

University Of Houston 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 Houston. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students 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. Graduates of the public administration program make about $57,529 in their early career. University Of Houston graduates carry a median of $21,255 in student loans. Get the full public administration details for University Of Houston

6

The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #6 for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Arlington. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. About 128 public administration degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $64,946 in their early career. 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

7
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University landed the #7 spot for public administration this year. This large public university is located in the town of Stephenville. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 58 public administration degrees were awarded at Tarleton State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Tarleton State University earn around $67,986 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,222 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for Tarleton State University

8

The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin landed the #8 spot for public administration this year. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin generally make around $60,503. Typical student debt for the program is $20,052. Read more about the public administration program at The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin

9
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Beaumont. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. There were roughly 18 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Lamar University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from Lamar University generally make around $52,678. Lamar University graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Read more about the public administration program at Lamar University

10

University Of North Texas At Dallas placed #10 among the best public administration schools. University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Dallas. University Of North Texas At Dallas graduates 42% of students within six years. About 13 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas At Dallas in the most recent year. More information about a degree in public administration from University Of North Texas At Dallas

11

University Of North Texas landed the #11 spot for public administration this year. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 public administration degrees were awarded at University Of North Texas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $55,873. University Of North Texas graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. See the full public administration program report for University Of North Texas

12

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school 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. See the full public administration program report for Texas State University San Marcos

13

Texas A And M International University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. This large public university is located in the city of Laredo. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 17 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M International University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration program make about $42,029 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,095. Read more about the public administration program at Texas A And M International University

14

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #14 position for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. 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. Graduates of the public administration program make about $49,385 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for The University Of Texas At San Antonio

15

The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #15 for public administration this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Edinburg. The University Of Texas Pan American graduates 51% of students within six years. The University Of Texas Pan American awarded about 65 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $51,938 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration details for The University Of Texas Pan American

16

Wayland Baptist University came in at #16 for public administration this year. Set in the town of Plainview, Wayland Baptist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Wayland Baptist University graduates 19% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Wayland Baptist University in the most recent data year. Public Administration graduates of Wayland Baptist University earn a median of $59,730 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,204 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration from Wayland Baptist University

17

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #17 spot for public administration this year. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 24 public administration students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At El Paso in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from The University Of Texas At El Paso earn around $48,335 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,819. More information about a degree in public administration from The University Of Texas At El Paso

18

Texas Southern University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best public administration schools. Set in the city of Houston, Texas Southern University is a moderately-sized public institution. About 22% of students finish within six years. Texas Southern University awarded about 46 public administration degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration degree from Texas Southern University earn around $52,223 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $35,330. More information about a degree in public administration from Texas Southern University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 35 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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