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

28 Ranked Colleges
1,379 Degrees Awarded
$18,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 17,269 people earned their degree in public administration, making the major the 58th most popular in the United States. 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 Southwest region, there were 1,956 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $46,336 and $35,041 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,379 public administration graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 28 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration programs that also have a lower cost than 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration Schools

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

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

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school handed out 72 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Rio Grande Valley has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read full report on Public Administration at UT Rio Grande Valley

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Tyler. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Tyler, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Tyler, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Tyler are $16,308.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Texas. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Texas is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 61 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNT, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Texas Public Administration Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M International University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized public school situated in Laredo, Texas. It awarded 9 masters’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 Texas A&M International University are $15,106.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas A&M International University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at San Antonio. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. The University of Texas at San Antonio is located in San Antonio, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 50 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

UTSA also took the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTSA are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at The University of Texas at San Antonio

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in College Station, Texas, this large public school handed out 112 degrees to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas A&M University - College Station

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of Houston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 9 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also took the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UH Public Administration Report

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Richardson, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#9

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

With a ranking of #9, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Arizona is a large school located in Tucson, Arizona that handed out 28 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at University of Arizona

The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. This large school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 19 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UTEP also took the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at UTEP

#11

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas Tech University is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech are $17,530.

Read more about Public Administration at Texas Tech

#12

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas

Texas State University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas State is a large school located in San Marcos, Texas that handed out 33 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas State also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State are $17,040.

Full Texas State University Public Administration Report

#13

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lamar University is a fairly large school located in Beaumont, Texas that handed out 2 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Lamar University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lamar University are $15,699.

Read full report on Public Administration at Lamar University

The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 84 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Arlington are $23,376.

Full UT Arlington Public Administration Report

#23 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, this fairly large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s public admin students in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at NMSU Main Campus are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Public Administration Report

#16

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

With a ranking of #16, Sam Houston State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Huntsville, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at SHSU

University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 123 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UOPX - Arizona, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UOPX - Arizona are $17,096, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UOPX - Arizona Public Administration Report

#17

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#17 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Arizona State University - Skysong is a large school located in Scottsdale, Arizona that handed out 14 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Skysong, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Skysong are $6,724.

Read more about Public Administration at ASU - Skysong

#18

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#13 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public admin degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

NAU also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #13. Average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration at NAU

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Stephen F Austin State University is a fairly large public school situated in Nacogdoches, Texas. It awarded 6 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

SFASU also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stephen F Austin State University are $15,695, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration at SFASU

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 35 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma are $23,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

University of Central Oklahoma ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Central Oklahoma is located in Edmond, Oklahoma and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 masters’s public admin degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCO has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCO are $17,913, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UCO Public Administration Report

#22

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 48 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNM, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNM are $19,890.

Read full report on Public Administration at University of New Mexico - Main Campus

#23

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#11 in overall quality

Tarleton State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Tarleton is a fairly large public school situated in Stephenville, Texas. It awarded 17 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, Tarleton has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Tarleton State University are $15,485, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Tarleton State University Public Administration Report

#24

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Grand Canyon University is a large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 266 masters’s public admin degrees in 2019-2020.

Grand Canyon University also made our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at Grand Canyon University are $11,436, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Grand Canyon University

#25

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Admin Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a public institution located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 29 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public admin students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas A&M Corpus Christi has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Public Administration Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi are $15,683, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

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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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