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2022 Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Administration

367 Colleges in the United States
12,512 Master's Degrees
Public Administration is of the hottest master's degree programs in the United States, coming in as the #9 most popular major in the country. So, there are lots of possibilities to explore when you're trying to determine where you want to get your degree.

For its 2022 ranking, College Factual looked at 367 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the most popular for public administration students pursuing a master's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 12,512 master's degrees in public administration during the 2019-2020 academic year.

What's on this page: * Other Rankings

Choosing a Great Public Administration School for Your Master's Degree

Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Administration The public admin master's degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. One of the reasons we created our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Administration ranking is to help you make that choice.

Being popular does not always equate to overall quality, but a school with a large number of public administration students usually has them for a reason. Sometimes this is because the school offers a great educational experience, it is a good value, or it is highly focused on the program.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

Associate Degrees in Public Admin
Bachelor's Degrees in Public Admin
Doctor's Degrees in Public Admin
Overall Popularity in Public Admin

This ranking is just one of the many we have created. First of all, if you are interested in other degree levels, you may want to take a look at one of the rankings highlighted above. Also, if you are interested in attending school in a specific part of the country, see our rankings by location. Plus, you can view our other rankings for public administration.


 

Learn about the most popular colleges and universities for public administration students seeking a a master's degree. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Most Well Attended Schools for Public Admin Students Working on Their Master's

1
458 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NY
#1 Best Quality In NY

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in public administration has to check out Columbia University in the City of New York. Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in New York.

There were about 458 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Columbia University in the City of New York

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Harvard crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
287 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MA
#1 Best Quality In MA

You'll be surrounded by many like-minded peers at Harvard University if you want to pursue a master's degree in public administration. Located in the midsize city of Cambridge, Harvard is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Massachusetts.

There were roughly 287 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Harvard in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Harvard University

3
266 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AZ
#2 Best Quality In AZ

Any student who is interested in a master's degree in public administration needs to take a look at Grand Canyon University. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university located in the large city of Phoenix. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Arizona.

There were about 266 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Grand Canyon University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Grand Canyon University

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NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
244 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In NY
#2 Best Quality In NY

Any student who is interested in a master's degree in public administration has to look into New York University. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in New York.

There were roughly 244 public administration students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from New York University

5
226 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CA
#5 Best Quality In CA

CSUN is a very large public university located in the large city of Northridge. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #5 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in California.

There were about 226 public administration students who graduated with this degree at CSUN in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from California State University - Northridge

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220 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In WA
#1 Best Quality In WA

UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the large city of Seattle. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Washington.

There were approximately 220 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

7
Walden University crest
Walden University
Minneapolis, MN
210 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In MN
#4 Best Quality In MN

Walden University is a very large private for-profit university located in the city of Minneapolis. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Minnesota.

There were approximately 210 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Walden University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Walden University

7
210 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In NY
#7 Best Quality In NY

John Jay is a large public college located in the city of New York. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #7 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in New York.

There were about 210 public administration students who graduated with this degree at John Jay in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice

9
Baruch crest
Baruch College
New York, NY
195 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In NY
#6 Best Quality In NY

Baruch is a fairly large public college located in the large city of New York. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #6 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in New York.

There were roughly 195 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at Baruch in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Baruch College

10
175 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In CA
#1 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in California.

There were roughly 175 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from University of Southern California

11
174 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In IN
#1 Best Quality In IN

Located in the city of Bloomington, IU Bloomington is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Indiana.

There were roughly 174 public administration students who graduated with this degree at IU Bloomington in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Indiana University - Bloomington

12
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
163 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In DC
#2 Best Quality In DC

Located in the large city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #2 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in District of Columbia.

There were about 163 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from American University

13
147 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In FL
#4 Best Quality In FL

Located in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a private not-for-profit university with a moderately-sized student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #4 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Florida.

There were approximately 147 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Barry University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Barry University

14
146 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In NJ
#1 Best Quality In NJ

Rutgers Newark is a large public university located in the city of Newark. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in New Jersey.

There were approximately 146 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers Newark in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Rutgers University - Newark

15
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
138 Annual Master's Degrees
#5 Most Popular In NY
#5 Best Quality In NY

Located in the midsize city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #5 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in New York.

There were about 138 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Syracuse University

16
126 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AL
#10 Best Quality In AL

Columbia Southern University is a fairly large private for-profit university located in the town of Orange Beach.

There were roughly 126 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Southern University in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Columbia Southern University

17
125 Annual Master's Degrees
#3 Most Popular In CA
#6 Best Quality In CA

Located in the large city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public university with a fairly large student population. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in California.

There were about 125 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at CSULB in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from California State University - Long Beach

18
123 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In AZ
#1 Best Quality In AZ

Located in the city of Tempe, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit university with a very large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Arizona.

There were roughly 123 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at UOPX - Arizona in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from University of Phoenix - Arizona

19
116 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In CO
#1 Best Quality In CO

CU Anschutz is a fairly large public university located in the city of Denver. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Colorado.

There were roughly 116 public administration students who graduated with this degree at CU Anschutz in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

20
115 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In AR
#1 Best Quality In AR

Located in the city of Jonesboro, A-State is a public university with a fairly large student population. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Arkansas.

There were roughly 115 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at A-State in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Arkansas State University - Main Campus

21
112 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In TX
#1 Best Quality In TX

Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the midsize city of College Station. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #1 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Texas.

There were approximately 112 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Texas A&M University - College Station

22
101 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In MA
#3 Best Quality In MA

Anna Maria is a small private not-for-profit college located in the rural area of Paxton. You also may be intersted to know that the school ranks #3 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Massachusetts.

There were approximately 101 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at Anna Maria in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Anna Maria College

23
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA
97 Annual Master's Degrees
#1 Most Popular In VA
#6 Best Quality In VA

Liberty University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Lynchburg. Potential students might also be interested to know that the school ranks #6 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Virginia.

There were approximately 97 public administration students who graduated with this degree at Liberty University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Liberty University

24
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, CA
96 Annual Master's Degrees
#4 Most Popular In CA
#7 Best Quality In CA

National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of La Jolla. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #7 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in California.

There were approximately 96 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at National University in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a master’s in public administration from National University

25
95 Annual Master's Degrees
#2 Most Popular In FL
#2 Best Quality In FL

Located in the suburb of Miami, FIU is a public university with a very large student population. This isn't the only ranking where the school placed. It's also #2 in quality for master's degrees in public administration in Florida.

There were roughly 95 public administration individuals who graduated with this degree at FIU in the most recent data year.

More information about a master’s in public administration from Florida International University

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Central Michigan crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI
27
Capella University crest
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
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35
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Marist crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY
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Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
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Additional Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the schools awarded a Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Administration badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 367 different United States public administration schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
50 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
51 University of Georgia Athens, GA
52 North Carolina Central University Durham, NC
52 Troy University Troy, AL
54 University of Illinois at Springfield Springfield, IL
54 University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great schools for Public Administration students that almost earned our Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Administration award.

Rank College Location
56 University of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
56 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA
58 University of North Texas Denton, TX
58 George Mason University Fairfax, VA
60 Wayland Baptist University Plainview, TX
61 The University of Arizona Global Campus San Diego, CA
61 Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO
61 Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA
64 Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA
65 Purdue University Global Indianapolis, IN
66 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
67 Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT
68 Portland State University Portland, OR
69 The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA
70 The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX
71 University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NM
72 Belhaven University Jackson, MS
72 Calumet College of Saint Joseph Whiting, IN
72 University of Connecticut Storrs, CT
72 Texas Southern University Houston, TX
72 University of Michigan - Flint Flint, MI

Public Administration by Region

View the Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Public Administration for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Public Administration is one of 1 different types of Public Administration programs to choose from.

Notes and References

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