2026 Best Public Administration Schools
Looking for the best Public Administration programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 501 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Public Administration Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Harvard University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. The median Public Administration program debt is $16,616. Read more about Harvard University
Johns Hopkins University came in at #2 on this year's Public Administration ranking in the United States. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Public Administration program here. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of South Dakota came in at #3 on this year's Public Administration ranking in the United States. Set in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Students from in state pay about $9,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,942 for out-of-state students. University Of South Dakota Public Administration students take on a median of $26,322 in debt. Read more about University Of South Dakota
A rank of #4 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read the full report on Northwestern University
Winona State University came in at #5 on this year's Public Administration ranking in the United States. Based in Winona, MN, Winona State University is a public institution. About 56% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Graduates carry a median of $24,551 in student loans. Get the full Winona State University report
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Colorado State University Global Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Based in Denver, CO, Colorado State University Global Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,000. Graduates carry a median of $31,361 in student loans. Read the full report on Colorado State University Global Campus
Cornell University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. The median Public Administration program debt is $15,005. Get the full Cornell University report
Georgetown University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Typical Public Administration student debt is $16,483. Read more about Georgetown University
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. The median Public Administration program debt is $21,577. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
San Jose State University landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. San Jose State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Get the full San Jose State University report
Villanova University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,776. Graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Read more about Villanova University
University Of Virginia Main Campus placed #13 among Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Charlottesville, VA. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of Southern California placed #14 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical Public Administration student debt is $15,625. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of San Francisco placed #15 among Public Administration schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Francisco, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. Typical Public Administration student debt is $23,935. Get the full University Of San Francisco report
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical Public Administration student debt is $23,258. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Kansas State University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. Kansas State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. See the full Kansas State University profile
Clemson University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read the full report on Clemson University
New York University placed #19 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read the full report on New York University
George Washington University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Located in Washington, DC, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. George Washington University graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,710 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete their Public Administration program here. Get the full George Washington University report
American University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Read more about American University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Public Administration students take on a median of $23,393 in debt. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,636. Typical Public Administration student debt is $23,529. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Golden Gate University San Francisco ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Golden Gate University San Francisco is a private not-for-profit school based in San Francisco, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,343. Students borrow a median of $33,968 to complete their Public Administration program here. See the full Golden Gate University San Francisco profile
Mount Vernon Nazarene University came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Mount Vernon, OH, Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,193. Mount Vernon Nazarene University Public Administration students take on a median of $26,602 in debt. See the full Mount Vernon Nazarene University profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Administration Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of North Dakota placed #26 among Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Grand Forks, ND. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Administration student debt is $25,110. Read more about University Of North Dakota
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a public school based in Mankato, MN. Minnesota State University Mankato posts a six-year graduation rate of 54%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,942. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete their Public Administration program here. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
Metropolitan State University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Set in Saint Paul, MN, Metropolitan State University is a public institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $9,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $30,822 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read more about Metropolitan State University
Boston University did well this year, earning the #29 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical Public Administration student debt is $25,232. Read the full report on Boston University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #30 position. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public school based in Chapel Hill, NC. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. The median Public Administration program debt is $15,117. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #31 position. This public school is set in West Chester, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Read more about West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
Hudson Valley Community College did well this year, earning the #32 position. Based in Troy, NY, Hudson Valley Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,868 in student loans. See the full Hudson Valley Community College profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Public Administration students take on a median of $16,481 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Marist College landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Set in Poughkeepsie, NY, Marist College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,620. Graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. See the full Marist College profile
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Read more about Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Nevada Reno did well this year, earning the #36 position. This public school is set in Reno, NV. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. The median Public Administration program debt is $19,918. Read more about University Of Nevada Reno
Augusta University came in at #37 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Augusta, GA. Augusta University posts a six-year graduation rate of 49%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,414, while out-of-state students pay about $24,734. The median Public Administration program debt is $25,745. Read the full report on Augusta University
Western Carolina University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Located in Cullowhee, NC, Western Carolina University is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. The median Public Administration program debt is $18,375. Read the full report on Western Carolina University
Anna Maria College did well this year, earning the #39 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Paxton, MA. About 46% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,734 to complete their Public Administration program here. Get the full Anna Maria College report
California State University Northridge placed #40 among Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Northridge, CA. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. The median Public Administration program debt is $37,500. Read the full report on California State University Northridge
Drake University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Drake University is a private not-for-profit school based in Des Moines, IA. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. In-state tuition and fees run about $51,960. Drake University Public Administration students take on a median of $22,273 in debt. Read more about Drake University
University Of Northern Iowa ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Cedar Falls, IA. University Of Northern Iowa graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,936, compared with $21,712 for out-of-state students. University Of Northern Iowa Public Administration students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on University Of Northern Iowa
Seattle University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Set in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. Seattle University posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. Students from in state pay about $56,721 in tuition and fees. Seattle University Public Administration students take on a median of $22,289 in debt. More on Seattle University
Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Set in Marion, IN, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,648. Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global Public Administration students take on a median of $32,807 in debt. Read more about Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global
University Of Missouri Columbia did well this year, earning the #45 position. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Maryland University College came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. About 20% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. University Of Maryland University College Public Administration students take on a median of $29,202 in debt. Read more about University Of Maryland University College
California State University Sacramento ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. California State University Sacramento is a public school based in Sacramento, CA. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical Public Administration student debt is $17,492. Read more about California State University Sacramento
Saint Cloud State University did well this year, earning the #48 position. Saint Cloud State University is a public school based in Saint Cloud, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 39%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,245. Graduates carry a median of $25,076 in student loans. Read more about Saint Cloud State University
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Students borrow a median of $20,731 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read the full report on Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University South Bend ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Indiana University South Bend is a public school based in South Bend, IN. Indiana University South Bend graduates 40% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Graduates carry a median of $24,640 in student loans. Get the full Indiana University South Bend report
Best Public Administration Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Public Administration Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Administration Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Administration Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Administration Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 501 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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