2026 Best Value Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Public Administration doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 501 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Walden University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Public Administration doctoral degree schools in the United States. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Walden University is a private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,067. Typical Public Administration student debt is $49,361. Median earnings reach $42,810 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $49,361 median debt. Read more about Walden University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hamline University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Saint Paul, MN, Hamline University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,004. The median Public Administration program debt is $25,530. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,106 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Hamline University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Baptist University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Riverside, CA, California Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,228. The median Public Administration program debt is $39,244. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants. Get the full California Baptist University report
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on this year's best-value Public Administration ranking in the United States. Set in West Chester, PA, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants. See the full West Chester University Of Pennsylvania profile
Capella University came in at #5 on this year's best-value Public Administration ranking in the United States. Capella University is a private for-profit school based in Minneapolis, MN. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees. Typical Public Administration student debt is $35,998. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,189 ten years after entry. Set against $35,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Capella University
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #6 among the best-value Public Administration schools in the United States. This public school is set in Omaha, NE. In-state tuition and fees average $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical Public Administration student debt is $21,783. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,909. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants. More on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
University Of La Verne came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in La Verne, CA, University Of La Verne is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $49,470. University Of La Verne Public Administration students take on a median of $29,333 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $65,464. That is a strong return on a $29,333 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%. See the full University Of La Verne profile
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #8 among the best-value Public Administration schools in the United States. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. The median Public Administration program debt is $24,925. Median earnings reach $57,103 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Springfield
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #9 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical Public Administration student debt is $21,577. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,020 ten years after entry. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
Valdosta State University offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Valdosta State University is a public school based in Valdosta, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,361 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%. More on Valdosta State University
University Of North Texas ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Administration schools. Located in Denton, TX, University Of North Texas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Graduates carry a median of $21,817 in student loans. University Of North Texas alumni report median earnings of $57,010 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Texas has an acceptance rate of 72%. See the full University Of North Texas profile
University Of Baltimore offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Baltimore, MD, University Of Baltimore is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Typical Public Administration student debt is $29,681. Median earnings reach $61,335 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $29,681 median debt. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants. See the full University Of Baltimore profile
Jackson State University landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Jackson, MS. In-state tuition and fees average $8,965, compared with $11,965 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Administration student debt is $32,944. Jackson State University alumni report median earnings of $39,060 a decade after entry. Set against $32,944 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. More on Jackson State University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical Public Administration student debt is $23,393. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $81,698. That is a strong return on a $23,393 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants. Read more about Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Colorado Denver placed #15 among the best-value Public Administration schools in the United States. University Of Colorado Denver is a public school based in Denver, CO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete their Public Administration program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,270 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%. Read more about University Of Colorado Denver
The University Of Texas At Arlington ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Arlington, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Typical Public Administration student debt is $21,632. The University Of Texas At Arlington alumni report median earnings of $63,199 a decade after entry. Set against $21,632 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. More on The University Of Texas At Arlington
New York University landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete their Public Administration program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%. More on New York University
University Of Georgia came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia has an acceptance rate of 38%. Read the full report on University Of Georgia
University Of Washington Seattle Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,466 ten years after entry. Set against $16,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 39% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Public Administration students take on a median of $22,113 in debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh alumni report median earnings of $68,758 a decade after entry. Set against $22,113 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Florida State University came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. The median Public Administration program debt is $20,125. Median earnings reach $61,675 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,125 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Florida State University report
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. In-state tuition and fees average $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Graduates carry a median of $21,818 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Missouri Columbia
Western Michigan University placed #23 among the best-value Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,952. Typical Public Administration student debt is $27,981. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,562. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University has an acceptance rate of 85%. Read the full report on Western Michigan University
Florida International University came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Miami, FL. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Graduates carry a median of $27,022 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,249. That is a strong return on a $27,022 median debt. Florida International University has an acceptance rate of 55%. Read the full report on Florida International University
Florida Atlantic University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Boca Raton, FL. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical Public Administration student debt is $19,804. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,746. That is a strong return on a $19,804 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Florida Atlantic University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Public Administration Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
American University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. American University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. In-state tuition and fees average $58,771. The median Public Administration program debt is $24,139. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $77,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 62% of those who apply are admitted. See the full American University profile
Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Set in Nashville, TN, Tennessee State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. The median Public Administration program debt is $29,489. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%. More on Tennessee State University
Suny At Albany came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Set in Albany, NY, Suny At Albany is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,979. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants. More on Suny At Albany
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #29 among the best-value Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete their Public Administration program here. Median earnings reach $58,128 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Commonwealth University has an acceptance rate of 93%. Get the full Virginia Commonwealth University report
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Administration schools. This public school is set in Bloomington, IN. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. The median Public Administration program debt is $20,731. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,742 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,731 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
University Of Illinois At Chicago landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Chicago, IL. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. University Of Illinois At Chicago Public Administration students take on a median of $20,115 in debt. Median earnings reach $68,740 ten years out. Set against $20,115 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Chicago
Old Dominion University placed #32 among the best-value Public Administration schools in the United States. Located in Norfolk, VA, Old Dominion University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete their Public Administration program here. Median earnings reach $54,914 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. See the full Old Dominion University profile
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Administration schools. Set in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Typical Public Administration student debt is $17,961. The University Of Texas At Dallas alumni report median earnings of $68,227 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%. Get the full The University Of Texas At Dallas report
Rutgers University Newark ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Administration schools. Based in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Typical Public Administration student debt is $25,065. Rutgers University Newark alumni report median earnings of $74,479 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants. Read more about Rutgers University Newark
Auburn University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. Set in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,337 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. More on Auburn University
Syracuse University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Set in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Syracuse University Public Administration students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Syracuse University alumni report median earnings of $79,164 a decade after entry. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted. See the full Syracuse University profile
University Of Kentucky offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Located in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical Public Administration student debt is $24,094. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,025 ten years after entry. Set against $24,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kentucky admits about 93% of applicants. More on University Of Kentucky
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Administration schools. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school based in Columbus, OH. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Ohio State University Main Campus Public Administration students take on a median of $21,887 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $60,409. Set against $21,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 61%. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Bellevue University landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Bellevue University report
University Of Massachusetts Lowell offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Lowell report
Anna Maria College placed #41 among the best-value Public Administration schools in the United States. Read more about Anna Maria College
Arkansas Baptist College placed #42 among the best-value Public Administration schools in the United States. More on Arkansas Baptist College
Auburn University At Montgomery offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Get the full Auburn University At Montgomery report
Brigham Young University Idaho offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on Brigham Young University Idaho
Champlain College offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. More on Champlain College
Mars Hill College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Public Administration schools. Get the full Mars Hill College report
Notre Dame De Namur University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on Notre Dame De Namur University
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #48 among the best-value Public Administration schools in the United States. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Strayer University Arkansas landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Strayer University Arkansas profile
The University Of Alabama landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full The University Of Alabama profile
Related Public Administration Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Public Administration Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Public Administration Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Administration Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Administration Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Administration Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Administration Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 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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