Best Public Administration Programs in the South (2026)
Updated
Part of Best Public Administration Colleges in the South
Regional list from Public Administration Programs in the United States
This page ranks the 12 Public Administration programs in the South by the median earnings of Public Administration graduates four years after completing. Barry University ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $97,702 for its graduates four years after completing.
Across the listed programs, the figure ranges from $97,702 to $55,259, with a median of $64,282. The spread between the top and bottom program is $42,443, and the gap between the first- and second-ranked programs is $26,076.
Public institutions account for 10 of the 12 programs, or 83%. Florida Atlantic University posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $8,752.
Florida International University ranks 14th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. Texas State University has the highest admission rate, admitting 89% of applicants.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barry University · Miami, FL | $97,702 | $22,613 | $20,804 | 77.2% |
| Barry University ranks 1st on this list, reporting $97,702 in median earnings for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 2 | James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA | $71,626 | $23,322 | $11,444 | 71.5% |
| James Madison University posts an average net price of $23,322 and median earnings of $71,626 for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 3 | Western Carolina University · Cullowhee, NC | $70,331 | $13,315 | $8,816 | 81.8% |
| Western Carolina University admits 82% of applicants and shows median federal debt of $17,234 among Public Administration completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 4 | Flagler College · Saint Augustine, FL | $70,202 | $30,525 | $21,733 | 80.8% |
| Flagler College ranks 4th on this list, with an average net price of $30,525 and an earnings cohort of 20 graduates. | |||||
| 5 | George Mason University · Fairfax, VA | $67,973 | $17,915 | $11,942 | 87.5% |
| George Mason University reports median earnings of $67,973 for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 87%. | |||||
| 6 | Auburn University · Auburn, AL | $66,141 | $24,323 | $16,681 | 45.9% |
| Graduates across all fields who borrowed left Auburn University with a median of $21,000 in federal loans, and its Public Administration completers earn a median of $66,141 four years after completing. | |||||
| 7 | Florida International University · Miami, FL | $62,424 | $9,288 | $7,003 | 54.7% |
| Florida International University ranks 14th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median earnings of $62,424 for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 8 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $59,074 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
| With an admission rate of 89%, Texas State University shows median federal debt of $24,141 among Public Administration completers who borrowed. | |||||
| 9 | Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton, FL | $57,679 | $8,752 | $3,022 | 66.1% |
| Florida Atlantic University posts an average net price of $8,752 and median earnings of $57,679 for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $56,557 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
| The University of Texas at San Antonio ranks 10th on this list, with an earnings cohort of 37 graduates and median earnings of $56,557 for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 11 | The University of Texas at Dallas · Richardson, TX | $55,467 | $18,267 | $12,814 | 65.1% |
| The University of Texas at Dallas reports median federal debt of $18,000 among Public Administration completers who borrowed and an admission rate of 65%. | |||||
| 12 | University of Central Florida · Orlando, FL | $55,259 | $10,411 | $5,816 | 40.1% |
| University of Central Florida admits 40% of applicants and reports $55,259 in median earnings for its Public Administration graduates four years after completing. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Public Administration graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the South appear. The figure captures federally aided completers of the Public Administration program who were working and not enrolled four years after completing. It does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range and median below cover the 12 schools with a published figure. Barry University reports $97,702, which is $26,076 above the $71,626 posted by James Madison University, and the spread from top to bottom reaches $42,443.
Related rankings
- Public Administration Programs in the United States
- Best Colleges in the South
- Best Public Administration Programs in the Midwest
- Best Public Administration Programs in the Northeast
- Public Administration Programs in the West
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- Best Public Administration Colleges in the South
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- Social Work Colleges in the South