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

20 Ranked Colleges
2,045 Degrees Awarded
$24,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in Pennsylvania 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. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Pennsylvania, there were 3,788 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,131 and $32,926 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,045 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 20 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in public administration and social service. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration and social service programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

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

Top 20 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in Pennsylvania

#1

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 255 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UPenn Public Administration & Social Service Report

#2

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 20 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Carnegie Mellon University landed the #2 spot on the list. Carnegie Mellon is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 134 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Carnegie Mellon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon are $47,326, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Carnegie Mellon

#3

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania
#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 183 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Edinboro, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania are $17,835, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Edinboro

#4

Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bryn Mawr College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. Bryn Mawr is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It awarded 84 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bryn Mawr, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Bryn Mawr are $45,240.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Bryn Mawr

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. Pitt is a large public school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 305 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus are $40,836.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

#6

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WCUPA is a public institution located in West Chester, Pennsylvania. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 170 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WCUPA, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are $16,758, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at WCUPA

#7

Elizabethtown College

Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Etown is a small school located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania that handed out 3 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Etown also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Etown are $32,960, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Elizabethtown College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#8

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

Temple University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Temple University is a large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 149 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Temple are $24,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Temple Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

Marywood University

Scranton, Pennsylvania
#11 in overall quality

Marywood University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Marywood University is a small school located in Scranton, Pennsylvania that handed out 98 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Marywood, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Marywood University are $11,438, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#10

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
#9 in overall quality

Millersville University of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Millersville is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 65 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Millersville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Millersville University of Pennsylvania are $16,350, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

#11

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
#17 in overall quality

California University of Pennsylvania came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. California, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal U, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal U are $18,508.

Full Cal U Public Administration & Social Service Report

#12

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
#14 in overall quality

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 42 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Ship did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania are $16,830.

Full Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

#13

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

Villanova University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Villanova University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Villanova, Pennsylvania. It awarded 76 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Villanova, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Villanova are $20,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Villanova Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14

Gannon University

Erie, Pennsylvania
#18 in overall quality

Gannon University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Gannon University is a small school located in Erie, Pennsylvania that handed out 11 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Gannon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Gannon are $20,660, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Gannon University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, Pennsylvania
#12 in overall quality

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Kutztown University is located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 50 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Kutztown University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania are $16,300, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

#16

Lincoln University

Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
#15 in overall quality

Lincoln University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lincoln University, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

Lincoln also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #15. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lincoln University are $18,942.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Lincoln

#17

Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, Chestnut Hill College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. CHC is a small school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 20 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

CHC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Chestnut Hill College are $17,625.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at CHC

#18

Alvernia University

Reading, Pennsylvania
#16 in overall quality

Alvernia University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Alvernia is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Reading, Pennsylvania. It awarded 11 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Alvernia has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Alvernia University are $15,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#19

Widener University

Chester, Pennsylvania
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Widener University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chester, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 298 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Widener, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Widener are $24,810, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Widener

#20

Strayer University - Pennsylvania

Trevose, Pennsylvania

Strayer University - Pennsylvania ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Strayer University - Pennsylvania is a small school located in Trevose, Pennsylvania that handed out 4 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Strayer University - Pennsylvania also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Strayer University - Pennsylvania are $15,135.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Strayer University - Pennsylvania

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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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