3,195
Graduates Per Year
$61K
Average Salary
#111
Most Popular Major
Degree Stats
Popular
3,195
13% NATIONAL AVG
Diplomas Received Last Year
184
5% NATIONAL AVG
Colleges Offering this Degree
Most Popular Degrees
110
Creative Writing
3,226
111
Public Administration
3,195
112
Human Sciences
3,142
Most Widely Offered Degrees
35
/
1.852
Worse
Better
Top 100 Colleges offering this degree
Degree Granting Schools that are Public
Most Graduates
By Region
Great Lakes
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis
By State
Indiana
Purdue University Fort Wayne
By Conference
Big Ten Conference
Indiana University-Bloomington
By School
University of Alabama at Birmingham
If you think life as an organizational development consultant, program coordinator, or city manager sounds interesting, then a degree in public administration may just be for you. You could even become the governor of your hometown!
Public administration is the 111th most popular degree in America, with 3,195 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #112 Human Sciences, and narrowly lost to #110 Creative Writing.
The degree is offered at a total of 184 colleges across the nation, and is the 110th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 4% of the Top 100 Best Colleges in America.
It is also worth noting that a little north of five in every eight colleges offering public administration are public making it a quite accessible field.
The great lakes produces the most public administration graduates, largely led by Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis, while it’s the Big Ten Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, Indiana ranks highest, with particular help from Purdue University Fort Wayne and Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis.
All that being said, no individual school produces more public administration graduates than University of Alabama at Birmingham, which graduated 614 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study public administration). More students studied public administration as a percentage of total students at University of Hawaii-West Oahu than any other college.
We wish you luck finding the right college for you. We hope you enjoy Authority's 2022 official Best Colleges for Public Administration list. Some of our picks may surprise you!
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#1 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Indiana University-Bloomington is a very large public university located in Bloomington, IN ranked 280th in the US. It has a total of 34,843 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 77.91% acceptance rate. Indiana University-Bloomington offers 336 different majors and is best known for its Business, Public Administration, and Informatics programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $9,575 for students from Indiana and $35,140 for those from out-of-state, Indiana University-Bloomington is somewhat moderately pricey. 60.07% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, working. After finishing college, alumni go on to bring home around $47,700 per year, which is 15% above the national median.
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Bloomington, IN
www.indiana.edu/
A-
Rating
78%
Acceptance
46,423
Students
# 76
Ranking
$35,140
Tuition
#2 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Syracuse University is a very large private university located in Syracuse, NY ranked 109th in the US. It has a total of 28,546 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 44.38% of applicants. Syracuse University offers 368 different majors and is best known for its Broadcast Journalism, Public Administration, and Photojournalism programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $52,210 per year, Syracuse University is very expensive. 77.41% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn close to $62,100 per year, which is 50% greater than the national median.
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Syracuse, NY
https://www.syracuse.edu
A
Rating
44%
Acceptance
38,110
Students
# 95
Ranking
$52,210
Tuition
#3 Best Colleges for Public Administration
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a large public college located in New York, NY ranked 62nd in New York. It has a total of 16,573 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 40.53% of applicants. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers 65 different majors and is best known for its Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology, and Public Administration programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 3rd respectively). With an annual tuition of $6,930 for students from New York and $14,880 for those from out-of-state, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice is moderately priced. 48.97% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, joining the labor force. Open graduating, alumni go on to take home around $44,900 per year, which is 8% above the national median.
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New York, NY
www.jjay.cuny.edu
B
Rating
41%
Acceptance
19,194
Students
# 127
Ranking
$14,880
Tuition
#4 Best Colleges for Public Administration
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is a large public college located in New York, NY ranked 188th in the US. It has a total of 18,470 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 43.47% of applicants. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College offers 89 different majors and is best known for its Accounting, Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, and Sales and Merchandising programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $6,930 for in-state students and $14,880 for those from out-of-state, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College is moderately priced. 63.98% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, joining the workforce. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $57,200 per year, which is 38% above the national median.
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New York, NY
www.baruch.cuny.edu
A
Rating
43%
Acceptance
22,091
Students
# 50
Ranking
$14,880
Tuition
#5 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Ohio State University-Main Campus is a very large public university located in Columbus, OH ranked 160th in the nation. It has a total of 50,053 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 53.74% of applicants. Ohio State University-Main Campus offers 382 different majors and is best known for its Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, Operations Management and Supervision, and Educational Administration and Supervision programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $10,197 for students from Ohio and $31,174 for those from out-of-state, Ohio State University-Main Campus is somewhat moderately high-priced. 59.09% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to draw close to $46,100 per year, which is 11% over the national median.
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Columbus, OH
www.osu.edu/
A
Rating
54%
Acceptance
66,178
Students
# 39
Ranking
$31,174
Tuition
#6 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Barry University is a mid-sized private college located in Miami, FL ranked 28th in Florida. It has a total of 4,005 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 50.99% of applicants. Barry University offers 130 different majors and is best known for its Public Administration, Homeland Security, and Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations programs (nationally ranked 6th, 13th, and 14th respectively). With an annual tuition of $29,700 per year, Barry University is somewhat moderately costly. 47.97% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, employment. Open graduating, alumni go on to make approximately $45,800 per year, which is 10% greater than the national median.
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Miami, FL
www.barry.edu
C+
Rating
51%
Acceptance
8,509
Students
# 500
Ranking
$29,700
Tuition
#7 Best Colleges for Public Administration
San Diego State University is a very large public university located in San Diego, CA ranked 168th in the nation. It has a total of 32,543 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting 34.13% of applicants. San Diego State University offers 232 different majors and is best known for its Speech-Language Pathology, Gerontology, and Health and Fitness programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 4th, and 5th respectively). With an annual tuition of $5,742 for students from California and $17,622 for those from out-of-state, San Diego State University is moderately priced. 72.69% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor force. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to earn around $51,000 per year, which is 23% over the national median.
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San Diego, CA
www.sdsu.edu
A
Rating
34%
Acceptance
37,838
Students
# 43
Ranking
$17,622
Tuition
#8 Best Colleges for Public Administration
California State University-Northridge is a very large public college located in Northridge, CA ranked 63rd in California. It has a total of 37,218 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 59.34% of applicants. California State University-Northridge offers 152 different majors and is best known for its Health and Fitness, Human Sciences, and Radio, Television, and Digital Communication programs (nationally ranked 4th, 6th, and 7th respectively). With an annual tuition of $5,742 for in-state students and $17,622 for those from out-of-state, California State University-Northridge is moderately priced. 59.84% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to make approximately $45,400 per year, which is 9% above the national median.
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Northridge, CA
https://www.csun.edu
B-
Rating
59%
Acceptance
43,348
Students
# 184
Ranking
$17,622
Tuition
#9 Best Colleges for Public Administration
University of Central Florida is a very large public university located in Orlando, FL ranked 195th in the nation. It has a total of 68,412 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 44.36% acceptance rate. University of Central Florida offers 195 different majors and is best known for its Hospitality Management, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Physical Education programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With an annual tuition of $4,478 for in-state students and $19,810 for those from out-of-state, University of Central Florida is moderately priced. 66.14% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to take home close to $45,400 per year, which is 9% greater than the national median.
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Orlando, FL
www.ucf.edu/
A
Rating
44%
Acceptance
80,378
Students
# 52
Ranking
$19,810
Tuition
#10 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Florida International University is a very large public university located in Miami, FL ranked 13th in Florida. It has a total of 59,764 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 57.51% acceptance rate. Florida International University offers 250 different majors and is best known for its International Business, Clinical Nutrition Services, and Marketing programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $4,721 for students from Florida and $16,529 for those from out-of-state, Florida International University is reasonably priced. 54.63% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to take home close to $46,300 per year, which is 11% over the national median.
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Miami, FL
www.fiu.edu
B+
Rating
58%
Acceptance
72,780
Students
# 93
Ranking
$16,529
Tuition
#11 Best Colleges for Public Administration
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university located in Pittsburgh, PA ranked 157th in the US. It has a total of 20,856 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting virtually 5 in every 9 applicants. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus offers 422 different majors and is best known for its Rhetoric and Composition, Bioinformatics, and Biological and Physical Sciences programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $18,628 for in-state students and $32,656 for those from out-of-state, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is reasonably high-priced. 67.18% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, joining the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to take home about $53,900 per year, which is 30% over the national median.
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Pittsburgh, PA
www.pitt.edu
A
Rating
57%
Acceptance
31,667
Students
# 37
Ranking
$32,656
Tuition
#12 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Seattle University is a mid-sized private institution located in Seattle, WA ranked 214th in America. It has a total of 5,205 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 78.48% of applicants. Seattle University offers 178 different majors and is best known for its Commercial and Advertising Art, Conservation Biology, and Public Administration programs (nationally ranked 5th, 5th, and 12th respectively). With an annual tuition of $45,765 per year, Seattle University is extremely expensive. 74.64% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, joining the labor force. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to generate approximately $56,500 per year, which is 36% over the national median.
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Seattle, WA
www.seattleu.edu
A
Rating
78%
Acceptance
8,254
Students
# 157
Ranking
$45,765
Tuition
#13 Best Colleges for Public Administration
James Madison University is a very large public college located in Harrisonburg, VA ranked 281st in the nation. It has a total of 21,829 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 76.75% of applicants. James Madison University offers 92 different majors and is best known for its Community Health Services, Speech-Language Pathology, and Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 3rd respectively). With an annual tuition of $7,250 for students from Virginia and $23,564 for those from out-of-state, James Madison University is reasonably pricey. 78.51% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, employment. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to draw about $56,600 per year, which is 36% over the national median.
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Harrisonburg, VA
www.jmu.edu/
A-
Rating
77%
Acceptance
24,152
Students
# 77
Ranking
$23,564
Tuition
#14 Best Colleges for Public Administration
George Mason University is a very large public university located in Fairfax, VA ranked 285th in the nation. It has a total of 34,722 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 86.74% of applicants. George Mason University offers 272 different majors and is best known for its Rhetoric and Composition, Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, and Health Teacher Education programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $9,060 for in-state students and $32,520 for those from out-of-state, George Mason University is reasonably expensive. 72.25% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, entering the labor market. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to draw about $59,900 per year, which is 44% over the national median.
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Fairfax, VA
https://www2.gmu.edu/
A-
Rating
87%
Acceptance
48,678
Students
# 80
Ranking
$32,520
Tuition
#15 Best Colleges for Public Administration
The University of Texas at Dallas is a very large public university located in Richardson, TX ranked 231st in the nation. It has a total of 21,317 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 78.59% acceptance rate. The University of Texas at Dallas offers 140 different majors and is best known for its Game and Interactive Media Design, Management Science, and Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods programs (nationally ranked 1st, 3rd, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $13,442 for students from Texas and $38,168 for those from out-of-state, The University of Texas at Dallas is quite pricey. 64.75% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to take home roughly $53,100 per year, which is 28% over the national median.
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Richardson, TX
www.utdallas.edu
A-
Rating
79%
Acceptance
31,419
Students
# 64
Ranking
$38,168
Tuition
#16 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Auburn University is a very large public university located in Auburn, AL ranked 293rd in the United States. It has a total of 25,795 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, with a 80.67% acceptance rate. Auburn University offers 242 different majors and is best known for its Exercise Physiology, Architectural Engineering, and Technical Teacher Education programs, which are all nationally ranked 2nd. With an annual tuition of $9,816 for in-state students and $29,448 for those from out-of-state, Auburn University is somewhat moderately high-priced. 70.58% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to bring home near $48,800 per year, which is 17% above the national median.
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Auburn, AL
www.auburn.edu
A-
Rating
81%
Acceptance
32,442
Students
# 82
Ranking
$29,448
Tuition
#17 Best Colleges for Public Administration
University of California-Riverside is a very large public university located in Riverside, CA ranked 185th in America. It has a total of 22,286 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 56.52% of applicants. University of California-Riverside offers 176 different majors and is best known for its Botany, Sustainability Studies, and Hispanic-American Studies programs (nationally ranked 6th, 7th, and 16th respectively). With an annual tuition of $11,442 for students from California and $41,196 for those from out-of-state, University of California-Riverside is rather pricey. 73.32% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, working. Open graduating, alumni go on to make roughly $49,700 per year, which is 20% over the national median.
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Riverside, CA
www.ucr.edu/
A
Rating
57%
Acceptance
25,816
Students
# 49
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#18 Best Colleges for Public Administration
University of Arizona is a very large public university located in Tucson, AZ ranked 2nd in Arizona. It has a total of 37,332 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, with a 84.59% acceptance rate. University of Arizona offers 494 different majors and is best known for its Homeland Security, Physiology, and Pre-Veterinary Studies programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 3rd, and 3rd respectively). With an annual tuition of $11,299 for students from Arizona and $35,326 for those from out-of-state, University of Arizona is reasonably costly. 57.09% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, working. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to take in about $47,300 per year, which is 14% over the national median.
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Tucson, AZ
https://www.arizona.edu
B+
Rating
85%
Acceptance
48,653
Students
# 104
Ranking
$35,326
Tuition
#19 Best Colleges for Public Administration
California State University-Fullerton is a very large public institution located in Fullerton, CA ranked 41st in California. It has a total of 40,350 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 52.69% of applicants. California State University-Fullerton offers 114 different majors and is best known for its Early Childhood Education and Teaching, Health and Fitness, and Human Services programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 4th respectively). With an annual tuition of $5,742 for students from California and $17,622 for those from out-of-state, California State University-Fullerton is reasonably priced. 70.58% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to bring home roughly $47,200 per year, which is 14% greater than the national median.
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Fullerton, CA
www.fullerton.edu
B+
Rating
53%
Acceptance
46,588
Students
# 98
Ranking
$17,622
Tuition
#20 Best Colleges for Public Administration
University of Oregon is a very large public university located in Eugene, OR ranked 6th in Oregon. It has a total of 20,912 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 81.8% of applicants. University of Oregon offers 224 different majors and is best known for its Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication, Physiology, and Multimedia Art programs, which are all nationally ranked 2nd. With an annual tuition of $10,440 for in-state students and $34,335 for those from out-of-state, University of Oregon is reasonably expensive. 65.06% of students graduate ready to the next phase of their lives, working. After finishing college, alumni go on to make roughly $44,800 per year, which is 8% over the national median.
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Eugene, OR
https://www.uoregon.edu
B+
Rating
82%
Acceptance
25,203
Students
# 101
Ranking
$34,335
Tuition
#21 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Roger Williams University is a small private college located in Bristol, RI ranked 7th in Rhode Island. It has a total of 5,033 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, with a 85.35% acceptance rate. Roger Williams University offers 109 different majors and is best known for its Legal Support Services, Construction Management, and Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography programs (nationally ranked 4th, 13th, and 16th respectively). With an annual tuition of $36,648 per year, Roger Williams University is quite expensive. 61.2% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor market. Open graduating, alumni go on to generate more or less $50,500 per year, which is 22% above the national median.
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Bristol, RI
https://www.rwu.edu
B
Rating
85%
Acceptance
5,411
Students
# 318
Ranking
$36,648
Tuition
#22 Best Colleges for Public Administration
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is a very large public university located in Norman, OK ranked 2nd in Oklahoma. It has a total of 24,261 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, with a 80.41% acceptance rate. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus offers 279 different majors and is best known for its Organizational Behavior Studies, Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, and Zoology programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). With an annual tuition of $4,788 for in-state students and $20,169 for those from out-of-state, University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus is reasonably priced. 53.71% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, joining the workforce. Open graduating, alumni go on to take in roughly $51,100 per year, which is 23% over the national median.
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Norman, OK
www.ou.edu
B+
Rating
80%
Acceptance
32,189
Students
# 116
Ranking
$20,169
Tuition
#23 Best Colleges for Public Administration
University of La Verne is a mid-sized private university located in La Verne, CA ranked 53rd in California. It has a total of 6,057 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 54.82% acceptance rate. University of La Verne offers 87 different majors and is best known for its Organizational Leadership, Child Development, and Physical Education programs (nationally ranked 5th, 5th, and 18th respectively). With an annual tuition of $43,440 per year, University of La Verne is rather expensive. 50.43% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, employment. After finishing college, alumni go on to bring in around $49,200 per year, which is 18% above the national median.
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La Verne, CA
www.laverne.edu/
B
Rating
55%
Acceptance
9,774
Students
# 355
Ranking
$43,440
Tuition
#24 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Miami University-Oxford is a large public university located in Oxford, OH ranked 11th in Ohio. It has a total of 18,631 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting 80.39% of applicants. Miami University-Oxford offers 220 different majors and is best known for its Chemistry Teacher Education, Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing, and Gerontology programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 2nd respectively). With an annual tuition of $12,879 for in-state students and $32,905 for those from out-of-state, Miami University-Oxford is somewhat moderately pricey. 48.98% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, employment. After college, alumni go on to make close to $47,100 per year, which is 13% above the national median.
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Oxford, OH
miamioh.edu
B+
Rating
80%
Acceptance
22,010
Students
# 109
Ranking
$32,905
Tuition
#25 Best Colleges for Public Administration
Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university located in Boca Raton, FL ranked 20th in Florida. It has a total of 30,624 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting more or less 62.5% of applicants. Florida Atlantic University offers 222 different majors and is best known for its Interdisciplinary Studies, Physiological Psychology, and Social Science Teacher Education programs (nationally ranked 4th, 7th, and 8th respectively). With an annual tuition of $2,522 for students from Florida and $14,374 for those from out-of-state, Florida Atlantic University is moderately priced. 56.93% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, employment. After finishing their studies, alumni go on to earn around $43,200 per year, which is 4% over the national median.
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Boca Raton, FL
www.fau.edu/
B
Rating
63%
Acceptance
36,970
Students
# 150
Ranking
$14,374
Tuition