2023 Best Value Public Administration Schools
Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices
Finding the Best Public Administration School for You
In 2020-2021, 16,905 people earned a degree or certificate in public administration, making the major the #59 most popular in the United States.
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Value Public Administration Schools ranking. Our analysis looked at 316 schools in the United States to see which programs offered the best value experiences for public admin students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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2023 Best Value Public Administration Schools in the United States
Check out the public admin programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Public Administration
Our 2023 rankings named Columbia Southern University the best value school in the United States for public administration students. Columbia Southern University is a large private for-profit school located in the town of Orange Beach.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia Southern University are $5,775 per year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Columbia Southern University also is in the top 10% of our Best Public Administration Schools ranking.
Read full report on Public Administration at Columbia Southern University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado State University - Global Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration Schools list. Located in the large city of Greenwood Village, Colorado State University - Global Campus is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Colorado State University - Global Campus are $8,400 a year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Colorado State University - Global Campus also is in the top 10% of our Best Public Administration Schools ranking.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Brigham Young University - Idaho is a great value for public administration students. Located in the town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit school with a very large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 per year.
Read full report on Public Administration at Brigham Young University - Idaho
Out of the 316 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Carolina University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the town of Cullowhee, WCU is a public college with a large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WCU are $8,367 per year. After completing their degree, public admin graduates from WCU carry an average student debtload of $18,429.
Read full report on Public Administration at Western Carolina University
The excellent programs at Minnesota State University - Mankato helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best public administration schools in the United States. Located in the small city of Mankato, Minnesota State Mankato is a public college with a large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Minnesota State Mankato are $18,200 a year.
Minnesota State Mankato also claimed a spot on our Best Public Administration Schools list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Full Public Administration at Minnesota State University - Mankato Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of South Dakota. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration Schools list. USD is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Vermillion.
USD undergraduate students pay an average of $12,942 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Public Administration at University of South Dakota
Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for public administration students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the rural area of Marion, IWU is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.
IWU undergraduate students pay an average of $9,239 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Public Administration at Indiana Wesleyan University - National & Global
Metropolitan State University landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public administration programs. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Metro State is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Metro State are $9,394 a year.
Metro State also claimed a spot on our Best Public Administration Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Full Public Administration at Metropolitan State University Report
Brigham Young University - Provo came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration Schools ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU are $6,120 a year.
BYU excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Public Administration Schools list.
Read full report on Public Administration at Brigham Young University - Provo
Tyler Junior College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration Schools ranking. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Tyler.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Tyler Junior College are $4,440 a year.
Read full report on Public Administration at Tyler Junior College
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration Schools list. HVCC is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Troy.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at HVCC are $10,764 per year.
Full Public Administration at Hudson Valley Community College Report
Anna Maria College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public administration programs. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
Anna Maria undergraduate students pay an average of $40,208 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Public Administration at Anna Maria College
American Public University System ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration Schools list. American Military University is a very large private for-profit school located in the town of Charles Town.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at American Military University are $7,360 per year.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, American Military University also is in the top 5% of our Best Public Administration Schools ranking.
Read full report on Public Administration at American Public University System
With a ranking of #14, Hamline University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public administration students. Hamline is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Saint Paul.
Hamline undergraduate students pay an average of $46,221 in tuition and fees each year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Hamline also did well on our Best Public Administration Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public administration programs. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, FDU is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at FDU are $38,074 per year.
Full Public Administration at Fairleigh Dickinson University - Metropolitan Campus Report
Drake University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration Schools list. Drake is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Des Moines.
Drake undergraduate students pay an average of $45,912 in tuition and fees each year.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Drake also did well on our Best Public Administration Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Read full report on Public Administration at Drake University
Winona State University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public administration programs. Located in the distant town of Winona, Winona State is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.
Winona State undergraduate students pay an average of $16,684 in tuition and fees each year.
Winona State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Public Administration Schools list.
Read full report on Public Administration at Winona State University
With a ranking of #18, Park University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public administration students. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Park University are $8,853 a year.
Westfield State University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value public administration programs. Located in the large suburb of Westfield, Westfield is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Westfield are $17,219 per year.
Read full report on Public Administration at Westfield State University
University of Maryland Global Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration Schools list. UMGC is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi.
UMGC undergraduate students pay an average of $12,336 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that public admin majors at UMGC take out is $21,108.
UMGC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Public Administration Schools list.
Read full report on Public Administration at University of Maryland Global Campus
Post University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration Schools list. Post University is a large private for-profit school located in the midsize suburb of Waterbury.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Post University are $15,458 a year.
Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration Schools ranking. Located in the medium-sized city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public school with a very large student population.
ASU - Skysong undergraduate students pay an average of $13,092 in tuition and fees each year.
In addition to its great value ranking, ASU - Skysong is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Public Administration Schools list.
Read full report on Public Administration at Arizona State University - Skysong
Northern Illinois University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for public administration students. It came in at #24 on the list. NIU is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NIU are $14,738 a year.
Full Public Administration at Northern Illinois University Report
With a ranking of #25, Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus did quite well on this year’s best value schools for public administration students. FDU is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Madison.
FDU undergraduate students pay an average of $40,054 in tuition and fees each year.
Rest of the Top Best Value Public Administration Schools
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great value schools for Public Administration students seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Public Administration Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | Arkansas State University - Main Campus | Jonesboro, AR |
| 49 | Southeast Missouri State University | Cape Girardeau, MO |
| 50 | California Baptist University | Riverside, CA |
| 51 | Lamar University | Beaumont, TX |
| 52 | California State University - Fresno | Fresno, CA |
| 53 | California State University - Sacramento | Sacramento, CA |
| 54 | University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha, NE |
| 55 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, VA |
| 56 | Indiana University - South Bend | South Bend, IN |
| 57 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC |
| 58 | Hunter College | New York, NY |
| 59 | Kansas State University | Manhattan, KS |
| 59 | University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls, IA |
| 61 | Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant, MI |
| 62 | California State University - Bakersfield | Bakersfield, CA |
| 62 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX |
Public Administration by Region
View the Best Value Public Administration Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Public Administration Rankings
Public Administration Related Majors for Public Admin
Public Administration is one of 5 different types of programs to choose from.
Majors Similar to Public Admin
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Work | 58,326 |
| Human Services | 13,238 |
| Public Policy | 6,430 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | 3,096 |
| Other Public Administration | 588 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to The Official CTBTO Photostream.
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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