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2022 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

30 Ranked Colleges
4,107 Degrees Awarded
$11,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 97,666 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $39,142 and had an average of $32,304 in loans still to pay off.

Across Illinois, there were 4,107 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,470 and $33,864 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration and social service. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration and social service 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 and social service program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 286 students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $1,866 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 721 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, UChicago has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $2,712 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The low student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Chicago Public Administration & Social Service Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a public institution located in Champaign, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 235 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $5,477 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIUC.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UIUC Public Administration & Social Service Report

#4

Lake Land College

Mattoon, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Lake Land College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Lake Land College is located in Mattoon, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lake Land College has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $2,857 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lake Land College.

Full Lake Land College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#5

Southwestern Illinois College

Belleville, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southwestern Illinois College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. SWIC is a medium-sized school located in Belleville, Illinois that handed out 10 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Southwestern Illinois College is $5,506 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Southwestern Illinois College

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 369 students in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UIC is $10,648 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Illinois at Chicago

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 96 students in 2019-2020.

SIUE not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend SIUE is $8,055 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

#8

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois

Governors State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in University Park, Illinois, and it awarded 98 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

GSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $10,872 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GSU.

Full Governors State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

With a ranking of #9, Aurora University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Aurora University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Aurora, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 656 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Aurora also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $14,103 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Aurora.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Aurora University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#10

University of Illinois at Springfield

Springfield, Illinois

University of Illinois at Springfield ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Springfield, Illinois, this small public school handed out 134 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UIS also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Springfield is $9,771 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Illinois at Springfield

#11

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 54 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NIU is $15,281 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Northern Illinois University

#12

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Macomb, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 46 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

WIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $13,942 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WIU.

Full Western Illinois University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois

Illinois State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Normal, Illinois, and it awarded 78 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $14,470 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Illinois State

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SIUC is a fairly large school located in Carbondale, Illinois that handed out 144 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. It costs about $13,658 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SIUC.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Bradley University

Peoria, Illinois

With a ranking of #15, Bradley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Peoria, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 20 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bradley has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bradley University is $17,205 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 2.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Bradley

#16

Quincy University

Quincy, Illinois

Quincy University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Quincy University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Quincy, Illinois. It awarded 14 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Quincy U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. It costs about $15,292 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Quincy University.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Quincy University

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this medium-sized public school handed out 174 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Northeastern Illinois University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Northeastern Illinois University is $14,816 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northeastern Illinois University

#18

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois

University of St Francis came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Saint Francis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Joliet, Illinois. The school has a small population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Saint Francis also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for University of Saint Francis is $15,847 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of St Francis

#19

Saint Augustine College

Chicago, Illinois

Saint Augustine College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. St. Augustine College is a small school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 25 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at St. Augustine College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Saint Augustine College is $11,691 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Saint Augustine College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#20

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois

With a ranking of #20, Dominican University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Dominican U is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dominican U, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dominican University is $17,060 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Dominican U

#21

Millikin University

Decatur, Illinois

Millikin University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. Millikin is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Decatur, Illinois. It awarded 10 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millikin, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Millikin is $17,656 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Millikin Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois

National Louis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 75 students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,178 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend National Louis University.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at National Louis University

#23

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Olivet Nazarene University is located in Bourbonnais, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Olivet Nazarene not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. The estimated yearly cost for Olivet Nazarene is $15,806 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Olivet Nazarene University

#24

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois

Judson University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Elgin, Illinois, and it awarded 33 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Judson did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois” list. The yearly cost to attend Judson University is $14,154 for illinois public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Judson University

#25

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago State University landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school handed out 24 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,507 for Illinois Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend CSU.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at CSU

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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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