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2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

80 Ranked Colleges
2,601 Degrees Awarded
$22,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region 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.

Across the Southeast region, there were 3,557 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $45,345 and $43,969 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,601 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 80 colleges that offer a degree in public administration. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

#1

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 79 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Public Administration Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida International University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 95 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, FIU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida International University

#3

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 35 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707.

Read full report on Public Administration at Florida State

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 28 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at USF Tampa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Central Florida. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UCF is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 85 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCF are $28,657, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at UCF

#6

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 29 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

NC State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at NC State

#7

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. UGA is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 66 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, UGA has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Georgia are $27,476.

Read full report on Public Administration at UGA

#8

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NKU is a public institution located in Highland Heights, Kentucky. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Kentucky University are $17,358, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northern Kentucky University Public Administration Report

#9

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school awarded 37 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” 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

#10

Augusta University

Augusta, Georgia

Augusta University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Augusta University is located in Augusta, Georgia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Augusta University are $20,712, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Augusta University

#11

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNF are $21,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of North Florida

#12

Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida Gulf Coast University is located in Fort Myers, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 22 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

FGCU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #24. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Gulf Coast University are $31,216.

Full FGCU Public Administration Report

#13

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #13, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Appalachian State University is a large school located in Boone, North Carolina that handed out 35 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, Appalachian State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Appalachian State are $21,439, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Appalachian State University Public Administration Report

#14

University of North Georgia

Dahlonega, Georgia

University of North Georgia landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNG is located in Dahlonega, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Georgia are $18,354.

Read more about Public Administration at UNG

#15

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

FAU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Atlantic University are $18,482.

Read more about Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University

#16

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Greensboro landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of North Carolina at Greensboro is a fairly large school located in Greensboro, North Carolina that handed out 13 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Greensboro are $21,918, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNC Greensboro Public Administration Report

#17

American Public University System

Charles Town, West Virginia

With a ranking of #17, American Public University System did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. American Military University is a private for-profit institution located in Charles Town, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 89 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at American Military University are $7,050.

Full American Public University System Public Administration Report

#18

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

Clemson University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Clemson is a public institution located in Clemson, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Clemson also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson University are $23,246, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Clemson University Public Administration Report

#19

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. GMU is a large public school situated in Fairfax, Virginia. It awarded 61 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GMU, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at GMU are $37,410, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at GMU

The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Chattanooga, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga are $18,334, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The University of Tennessee - Chattanooga Public Administration Report

#21

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky

Kentucky State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. KY State is a public institution located in Frankfort, Kentucky. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

KY State also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at KY State are $12,650, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration at Kentucky State University

Arkansas State University - Main Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Arkansas State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Jonesboro, Arkansas. It awarded 115 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Arkansas State University - Main Campus are $11,586, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full A-State Public Administration Report

#23

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

East Carolina University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

ECU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at East Carolina University are $20,685, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full East Carolina University Public Administration Report

#24

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky

Murray State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Murray State University is located in Murray, Kentucky and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Murray State are $14,400, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Murray State Public Administration Report

#25

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Pembroke came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pembroke, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Pembroke are $18,800, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at UNC Pembroke

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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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