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2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

22 Ranked Colleges
2,649 Degrees Awarded
$21,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 for a Master’s 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. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,649 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,267 and $46,814 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree 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.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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 for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 22 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Evanston, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 132 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 536 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree 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 Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UChicago

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 152 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UIUC Public Administration & Social Service Report

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 341 students in 2019-2020.

UIC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #6. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a public institution located in Edwardsville, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 58 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUE also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #14. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at SIUE are $9,300.

Full SIUE Public Administration & Social Service Report

#6

Governors State University

University Park, Illinois
#16 in overall quality

Governors State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. GSU is a small school located in University Park, Illinois that handed out 54 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

GSU also took the #16 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at GSU are $14,674, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at GSU

#7 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Springfield landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UIS is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 85 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UIS also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Public Administration & Social Service Report

#8

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#15 in overall quality

Northern Illinois University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 32 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Northern Illinois University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

Aurora University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Aurora University is located in Aurora, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 474 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Aurora not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Aurora

#10

Western Illinois University

Macomb, Illinois

Western Illinois University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Illinois University is located in Macomb, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, WIU has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Illinois University are $11,996, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WIU Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 97 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#12

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Illinois State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. Illinois State is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 27 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our illinois master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Illinois State Public Administration & Social Service Report

#13

University of St Francis

Joliet, Illinois
#8 in overall quality

University of St Francis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s 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 26 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Saint Francis, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of St Francis are $13,839, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#14

Dominican University

River Forest, Illinois
#12 in overall quality

Dominican University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in River Forest, Illinois, and it awarded 77 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Dominican U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Dominican U are $20,884.

Full Dominican U Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Judson University

Elgin, Illinois

Judson University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Judson University is located in Elgin, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Judson, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Judson are $18,900, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#17 in overall quality

Northeastern Illinois University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northeastern Illinois University is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 42 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northeastern Illinois University, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern Illinois University are $17,032.

Full Northeastern Illinois University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#17

National Louis University

Chicago, Illinois
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, National Louis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. National Louis University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 30 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

NLU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at National Louis University are $12,096.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at NLU

#18

Chicago State University

Chicago, Illinois
#21 in overall quality

Chicago State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school handed out 24 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

CSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Chicago State University are $15,056.

Full Chicago State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#19

Concordia University, Chicago

River Forest, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

Concordia University, Chicago landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Concordia University, Chicago is located in River Forest, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Concordia University, Chicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Concordia University, Chicago are $9,378.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Concordia University, Chicago

#20

Roosevelt University

Chicago, Illinois
#19 in overall quality

Roosevelt University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Roosevelt, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Roosevelt are $21,605, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Roosevelt

#21

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Loyola University Chicago ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 261 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Loyola Chicago also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Loyola Chicago Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois
#10 in overall quality

DePaul University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Illinois For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 79 students in 2019-2020.

DePaul also took the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at DePaul University are $19,760.

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

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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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