2026 Best Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Public Administration doctoral degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 501 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2026 ranking of the best Public Administration doctoral degree schools in the United States. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Public Administration student debt is $21,577. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
You'll be in good company at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2 this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in West Chester, PA. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Read more about West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #3 makes New York University one of the top choices in the United States. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. New York University Public Administration students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. See the full New York University profile
A rank of #4 makes California Baptist University one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Riverside, CA. About 62% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $41,228 in tuition and fees. The median Public Administration program debt is $39,244. More on California Baptist University
You'll be in good company at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Blacksburg, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University Public Administration students take on a median of $23,393 in debt. Read the full report on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
American University placed #6 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Set 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 run about $58,771. Typical Public Administration student debt is $24,139. Read more about American University
Walden University did well this year, earning the #7 position. This private for-profit school is set in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,067. Typical Public Administration student debt is $49,361. See the full Walden University profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. The median Public Administration program debt is $16,481. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Hamline University came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Located in Saint Paul, MN, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $50,004 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,530 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read more about Hamline University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Set in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Graduates carry a median of $22,113 in student loans. More on North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Syracuse University came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Syracuse University Public Administration students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Get the full Syracuse University report
University Of Baltimore did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Baltimore, MD, University Of Baltimore is a public institution. University Of Baltimore graduates 38% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete their Public Administration program here. Get the full University Of Baltimore report
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. The median Public Administration program debt is $21,818. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. University Of Nebraska At Omaha Public Administration students take on a median of $21,783 in debt. More on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
University Of Georgia came in at #15 in this year's ranking. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Read more about University Of Georgia
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,582 in student loans. Read more about University Of Colorado Denver
Indiana University Bloomington did well this year, earning the #17 position. Set in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,731 to complete their Public Administration program here. More on Indiana University Bloomington
Florida State University landed the #18 spot in the United States this year. Set in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Florida State University Public Administration students take on a median of $20,125 in debt. See the full Florida State University profile
Valdosta State University placed #19 among Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Valdosta, GA. About 42% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. The median Public Administration program debt is $28,661. Read the full report on Valdosta State University
Old Dominion University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Old Dominion University is a public school based in Norfolk, VA. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. More on Old Dominion University
Capella University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 20%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400. Typical Public Administration student debt is $35,998. See the full Capella University profile
Western Michigan University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Western Michigan University is a public school based in Kalamazoo, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. The median Public Administration program debt is $27,981. Read the full report on Western Michigan University
The University Of Texas At Arlington did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Arlington, TX, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. The University Of Texas At Arlington Public Administration students take on a median of $21,632 in debt. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Arlington
Rutgers University Newark ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Located in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Rutgers University Newark graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. The median Public Administration program debt is $25,065. See the full Rutgers University Newark profile
University Of Illinois At Springfield did well this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Springfield, IL, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Students borrow a median of $24,925 to complete their Public Administration program here. Get the full University Of Illinois At Springfield report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Richmond, VA. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,720 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. The median Public Administration program debt is $23,813. Get the full Virginia Commonwealth University report
University Of La Verne came in at #27 in this year's ranking. University Of La Verne is a private not-for-profit school based in La Verne, CA. University Of La Verne posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,470. Graduates carry a median of $29,333 in student loans. Read more about University Of La Verne
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Set in Columbus, OH, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Administration student debt is $21,887. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. About 62% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. University Of Illinois At Chicago Public Administration students take on a median of $20,115 in debt. See the full University Of Illinois At Chicago profile
Auburn University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Based in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read more about Auburn University
Florida International University placed #31 among Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Miami, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $27,022 to complete their Public Administration program here. See the full Florida International University profile
The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Set in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Graduates carry a median of $17,961 in student loans. More on The University Of Texas At Dallas
University Of Kentucky landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Set in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. The median Public Administration program debt is $24,094. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
University Of North Texas came in at #34 in this year's ranking. University Of North Texas is a public school based in Denton, TX. University Of North Texas posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. More on University Of North Texas
Suny At Albany came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read more about Suny At Albany
Tennessee State University placed #36 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Set in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Students from in state pay about $8,616 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Typical Public Administration student debt is $29,489. Read the full report on Tennessee State University
Florida Atlantic University landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Boca Raton, FL. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Administration student debt is $19,804. Get the full Florida Atlantic University report
Jackson State University placed #38 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Jackson State University is a public school based in Jackson, MS. Jackson State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 51%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,965, with out-of-state students paying around $11,965. Typical Public Administration student debt is $32,944. See the full Jackson State University profile
Henderson State University landed the #39 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Henderson State University report
Suny At Binghamton landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Suny At Binghamton report
Belhaven University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Get the full Belhaven University report
Strayer University Maryland landed the #42 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Strayer University Maryland
University Of Houston came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Read more about University Of Houston
Claremont Lincoln University placed #44 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Get the full Claremont Lincoln University report
James Madison University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. More on James Madison University
Lamar Institute Of Technology landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. More on Lamar Institute Of Technology
Lindenwood University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Lindenwood University
Champlain College did well this year, earning the #48 position. Read more about Champlain College
Creighton University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. See the full Creighton University profile
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs report
Related Public Administration Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Public Administration Schools (All Levels)
- 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
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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