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Cheapest Public Administration Colleges in Virginia

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

George Mason University stands out among Virginia's Public Administration programs with a net price of $18,287 and the highest graduate earnings at $48,823 annually. This advantage reflects the school's proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors like Northrop Grumman and Booz Allen Hamilton, where public administration graduates find immediate career opportunities. The $13,714 gap between the most and least expensive programs shows significant cost variation across Virginia's five schools offering this field.
5
Programs
$18,287 – $32,145
Net Price Range
$44,552
Avg. Program Earnings
68.0%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Public Administration Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $18,287 $13,815 69.3% 90.0%
2 $21,816 $13,576 80.9% 78.3%
3 $29,552 $21,222 63.5% 99.3%
4 $30,055 $36,028 70.5% 80.4%
5 $32,145 $29,162 55.7% 74.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes George Mason University the most affordable option for Public Administration in Virginia?

George Mason offers the lowest net price at $18,287 while maintaining a 90% acceptance rate and 69.3% graduation rate. The school's location in Fairfax provides direct access to federal government internships and job opportunities that justify the investment.

How do graduation rates compare between public and private schools for this major?

James Madison University leads with an 80.9% graduation rate, significantly higher than Liberty University's 63.5% despite costing less. Public schools George Mason and James Madison both outperform most private options in completion rates while charging lower net prices.

Does the VTAG grant affect costs for Public Administration students at private colleges?

The Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant helps reduce costs at private institutions like Liberty University and Shenandoah University. However, even with this aid, private school net prices range from $29,552 to $32,145, still exceeding public options by at least $7,700.

More Public Administration Rankings

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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.