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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k)

38 Ranked Colleges
394 Degrees Awarded
$25,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Public Administration is the 58th most popular major in the country with 17,269 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, public administration graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $48,859 and had an average of $42,077 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 394 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 38 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The public admin school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k)

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also took the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UW Seattle

#2

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #2 spot on the list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Public Administration at IU Bloomington

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 38 schools in the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a large public school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 3 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UMN Twin Cities

#4

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#20 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 7 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, Florida State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida State University

#25 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida International University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211.

Full FIU Public Administration Report

#6

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#13 in overall quality

North Carolina State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. North Carolina State University is a large school located in Raleigh, North Carolina that handed out 7 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999.

Read full report on Public Administration at North Carolina State University

With a ranking of #7, University of North Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNT is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 15 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNT Public Administration Report

#15 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public admin degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Ohio State also made our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Ohio State

#21 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UIS is a public institution located in Springfield, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UIS not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIS are $16,757.

Full UIS Public Administration Report

#14 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Columbia ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public admin degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mizzou has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Missouri - Columbia are $27,193.

Read more about Public Administration at Mizzou

#11

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Virginia Tech Public Administration Report

#12

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#22 in overall quality

University of Georgia ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Georgia is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476.

Read more about Public Administration at UGA

#13

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. FAU is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 2 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full FAU Public Administration Report

#16 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at Dallas is a public institution located in Richardson, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at The University of Texas at Dallas

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Omaha, Nebraska, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374.

Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Public Administration Report

With a ranking of #16, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UIC is a large public school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 3 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UIC

#17

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

West Chester University of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. WCUPA is a fairly large public school situated in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It awarded 15 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

WCUPA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WCUPA are $16,758, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full WCUPA Public Administration Report

#18

Rutgers University - Newark

Newark, New Jersey
#18 in overall quality

Rutgers University - Newark ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Newark, New Jersey, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Rutgers Newark not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Rutgers Newark are $32,112.

Full Rutgers Newark Public Administration Report

#19

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public admin degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UK are $33,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at UK

#23 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Arlington ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Arlington has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Arlington are $23,376, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at UT Arlington

#21

Valdosta State University

Valdosta, Georgia

Valdosta State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. VSU is a fairly large public school situated in Valdosta, Georgia. It awarded 12 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Valdosta State University are $18,682.

Full VSU Public Administration Report

#22

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, Virginia

With a ranking of #22, Old Dominion University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Norfolk, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public admin degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Old Dominion are $33,288.

Read full report on Public Administration at Old Dominion

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Denver, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public admin degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus are $23,915, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at CU Anschutz

#24

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kansas are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Kansas

#25

Tennessee State University

Nashville, Tennessee

Tennessee State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Tennessee State University is a medium-sized school located in Nashville, Tennessee that handed out 3 doctorate’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Tennessee State University are $20,860, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Tennessee State University

Notes and References

References

  • 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 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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