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Cheapest Public Administration Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

St Petersburg College stands out with a remarkable net cost of negative $52, meaning students actually receive more financial aid than their total attendance costs. This unusual situation highlights how federal and state aid can completely cover expenses at certain institutions. The earnings gap across these programs spans from $27,669 to $43,240, reflecting the broad career paths within public administration. California State University-Dominguez Hills graduates earn the highest salaries at $43,240 annually, while maintaining reasonable debt loads averaging $17,250. Federal agencies employ roughly 2.2 million civilian workers, creating steady demand for public administration graduates who understand government operations, policy implementation, and citizen services. The mix of community colleges, regional state universities, and urban-focused institutions provides multiple entry points into public service careers.
50
Programs
$-52 – $12,878
Net Price Range
$37,335
Avg. Program Earnings
46.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Public Administration Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $-52 $2,682 37.5%
2 $2,978 $7,464 72.1% 49.5%
3 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
4 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
5 $4,285 $5,986 37.9% 80.4%
6 $5,202 $2,764 42.5%
7 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
8 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
9 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
10 $5,881 $7,352 22.3% 87.7%
11 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
12 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
13 $6,276 $8,179 44.7% 85.8%
14 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
15 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
16 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
17 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
18 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
19 $7,668 $6,920 30.2%
20 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
21 $8,751 $13,840 27.0% 78.8%
22 $8,900 $9,214 27.1% 91.5%
23 $8,916 $12,252 61.4% 82.0%
24 $9,002 $4,311 35.2%
25 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
26 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
27 $9,424 $6,110 42.1%
28 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
29 $10,082 $6,340 47.9% 94.7%
30 $10,498 $6,200 27.5%
31 $10,650 $6,368 75.1% 41.0%
32 $10,666 $7,584 46.8% 96.4%
33 $10,865 $9,045 39.8% 99.2%
34 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
35 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
36 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
37 $11,139 $8,760 8.0%
38 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
39 $11,353 $8,618 23.3%
40 $11,408 $10,449 53.9% 82.9%
41 $11,513 $9,254 32.5% 80.7%
42 $11,812 $7,912 22.1% 64.8%
43 $11,877 $10,791 52.9% 80.6%
44 $12,168 $13,426 43.4% 82.6%
45 $12,267 $10,110 47.6%
46 $12,280 $14,014 44.6% 66.4%
47 $12,323 $13,440 56.9% 51.1%
48 $12,484 $9,290 22.1%
49 $12,579 $4,532 59.1% 84.8%
50 $12,878 $8,342 53.1% 89.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes St Petersburg College cost negative $52 for students?

St Petersburg College provides financial aid packages that exceed the total cost of attendance by $52. This means eligible students receive refunds after all tuition, fees, and other expenses are covered. The college's in-state tuition of $2,682 combines with federal Pell Grants and state aid to create this unusual financial outcome. Students graduate with an average debt of $24,619, which includes living expenses not covered by the aid surplus.

How do CUNY schools compare in cost and graduation rates?

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and John Jay College both charge around $7,470 in-state tuition with net costs near $3,000. Baruch achieves a 72.10% graduation rate while John Jay reaches 55.50%, both well above many regional competitors. John Jay graduates earn $40,481 annually compared to Baruch's $33,138, reflecting John Jay's focus on criminal justice and public safety careers. Both schools maintain low debt levels around $14,000.

Is California State University-Dominguez Hills worth the higher net cost?

CSU-Dominguez Hills charges $3,659 net cost but delivers the highest graduate earnings at $43,240 annually. The school maintains a 46.90% graduation rate with manageable debt averaging $17,250. Its 89.13% acceptance rate provides accessible entry, while the $43,240 salary represents a 27% premium over the lowest-earning programs. The Los Angeles area location connects students to numerous government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

Does program size affect graduation rates at these schools?

California State University-Fresno admits 95.43% of applicants yet maintains a solid 54.80% graduation rate, suggesting that open access doesn't necessarily hurt completion rates. CUNY Medgar Evers College admits 87.65% but graduates only 22.30% of students, the lowest rate among these programs. Texas Southmost College shows similar patterns with high acceptance but just 26.80% graduation rates. Smaller, more selective programs like Baruch tend to show stronger completion outcomes.

Where do Public Administration graduates typically find employment?

Federal agencies employ the largest share of public administration graduates, with departments like Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Homeland Security offering entry-level positions starting around $35,000. State and local governments provide additional opportunities in budget analysis, human resources, and program management. The $27,669 to $43,240 salary range reflects entry-level positions in different regions and sectors. California and New York graduates typically earn higher starting salaries due to cost of living adjustments and competitive government pay scales.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.