2026 Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Public Administration master’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 501 institutions 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 Public Administration school in the United States. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Harvard University Public Administration students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. More on Harvard University
Out of the 501 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Johns Hopkins University landed the #2 spot. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
Out of the 501 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of South Dakota landed the #3 spot. Based in Vermillion, SD, University Of South Dakota is a public institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,432, with out-of-state students paying around $12,942. Students borrow a median of $26,322 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read the full report on University Of South Dakota
The strong Public Administration programs at Northwestern University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. The median Public Administration program debt is $16,616. See the full Northwestern University profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical Public Administration student debt is $16,155. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania
Cornell University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Cornell University Public Administration students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Get the full Cornell University report
Georgetown University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Georgetown University Public Administration students take on a median of $16,483 in debt. Get the full Georgetown University report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #8 position. Set 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. Graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
San Jose State University did well this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in San Jose, CA. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. See the full San Jose State University profile
University Of Southern California came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. The median Public Administration program debt is $15,625. Get the full University Of Southern California report
University Of San Francisco came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in San Francisco, CA, University Of San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,522. The median Public Administration program debt is $23,935. Read the full report on University Of San Francisco
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #12 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Clemson University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Clemson, SC. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Clemson University Public Administration students take on a median of $23,783 in debt. Read the full report on Clemson University
New York University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Get the full New York University report
Villanova University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Villanova, PA. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Typical Public Administration student debt is $26,184. See the full Villanova University profile
George Washington University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Washington, DC. George Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,710. Graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More on George Washington University
American University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Located in Washington, DC, American University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. Typical Public Administration student debt is $24,139. See the full American University profile
Kansas State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $11,221 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete their Public Administration program here. See the full Kansas State University profile
Golden Gate University San Francisco placed #19 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Based in San Francisco, CA, Golden Gate University San Francisco is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,343. Golden Gate University San Francisco Public Administration students take on a median of $33,968 in debt. More on Golden Gate University San Francisco
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read more about Carnegie Mellon University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Administration student debt is $23,393. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Metropolitan State University placed #22 among Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Saint Paul, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,840. Metropolitan State University Public Administration students take on a median of $30,822 in debt. Get the full Metropolitan State University report
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Set in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical Public Administration student debt is $25,260. See the full Minnesota State University Mankato profile
Boston University landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. The median Public Administration program debt is $25,232. Get the full Boston University report
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #25 position. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Public Administration students take on a median of $15,117 in debt. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Based in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete their Public Administration program here. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Marist College did well this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Poughkeepsie, NY, Marist College is a private not-for-profit institution. Marist College graduates 80% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $47,620 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,962 to complete their Public Administration program here. Get the full Marist College report
University Of North Dakota placed #28 among Public Administration schools in the United States. University Of North Dakota is a public school based in Grand Forks, ND. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,570. Typical Public Administration student debt is $25,110. Read more about University Of North Dakota
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Located in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Administration student debt is $19,918. See the full University Of Nevada Reno profile
Augusta University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Based in Augusta, GA, Augusta University is a public institution. 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. Augusta University Public Administration students take on a median of $25,745 in debt. More on Augusta University
Anna Maria College came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Anna Maria College is a private not-for-profit school based in Paxton, MA. About 46% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,571. The median Public Administration program debt is $26,734. Get the full Anna Maria College report
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #32 position. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Public Administration students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Drake University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Based in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,960. Graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. Read the full report on Drake University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #34 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical Public Administration student debt is $21,818. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
Seattle University did well this year, earning the #35 position. Located in Seattle, WA, Seattle University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,721. Seattle University Public Administration students take on a median of $22,289 in debt. Read the full report on Seattle University
California State University Sacramento landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Set in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. California State University Sacramento Public Administration students take on a median of $17,492 in debt. More on California State University Sacramento
Saint Cloud State University placed #37 among Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Saint Cloud, MN. About 39% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $10,245 in tuition and fees. The median Public Administration program debt is $25,076. Read more about Saint Cloud State University
California State University Northridge did well this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Northridge, CA, California State University Northridge is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. The median Public Administration program debt is $37,500. Read more about California State University Northridge
Syracuse University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full Syracuse University report
George Mason University placed #40 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. George Mason University Public Administration students take on a median of $20,106 in debt. Get the full George Mason University report
Indiana University South Bend did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in South Bend, IN, Indiana University South Bend is a public institution. Roughly 40% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $8,424 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $24,640 to complete their Public Administration program here. See the full Indiana University South Bend profile
Hamline University placed #42 among Public Administration schools in the United States. Hamline University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,004. The median Public Administration program debt is $25,530. See the full Hamline University profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Public Administration students take on a median of $19,137 in debt. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Saginaw Valley State University came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Saginaw Valley State University is a public school based in University Center, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,930, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Administration student debt is $28,091. Read the full report on Saginaw Valley State University
California State University Bakersfield placed #45 among Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Bakersfield, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. See the full California State University Bakersfield profile
California State University Fresno came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Set in Fresno, CA, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. California State University Fresno Public Administration students take on a median of $15,598 in debt. See the full California State University Fresno profile
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Located in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. University Of Colorado Denver graduates 46% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. The median Public Administration program debt is $26,582. Read more about University Of Colorado Denver
Alfred University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Alfred, NY. Alfred University posts a six-year graduation rate of 57%. Students from in state pay about $38,138 in tuition and fees. Typical Public Administration student debt is $25,706. See the full Alfred University profile
Indiana University Bloomington did well this year, earning the #49 position. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. 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. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Public Administration schools. Located in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile
Related Public Administration Rankings
See rankings for 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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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