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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts

17 Ranked Colleges
2,682 Degrees Awarded
$34,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 97,666 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 Massachusetts, there were 4,029 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,551 and $32,142 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,682 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $60,240 and $41,137 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 17 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. 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 for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 17 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Cambridge, Massachusetts 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 515 students in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard are $50,654.

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

#2

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Boston College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 217 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Boston College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Boston College

#3

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Smith College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. This small school is located in Northampton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 119 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Smith, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Smith are $53,940, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Smith College

#4

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

Out of the 17 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tufts University landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Medford, Massachusetts, and it awarded 19 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Tufts also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Tufts University are $55,168.

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

#5

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Boston University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Boston University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 364 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston U are $57,666, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Boston University

#6

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Northeastern University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 11 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Northeastern also took the #0 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northeastern University are $25,558.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Northeastern

#7

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts
#8 in overall quality

Westfield State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Westfield is a medium-sized public school situated in Westfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 112 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Westfield has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Westfield State University are $6,696, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Westfield

#8

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
#5 in overall quality

Brandeis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 60 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Brandeis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brandeis are $52,060, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Brandeis University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Massachusetts
#12 in overall quality

Bridgewater State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bridgewater State is a public institution located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 63 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Bridgewater State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Bridgewater State are $11,397, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Bridgewater State Public Administration & Social Service Report

#10

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts
#10 in overall quality

University of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UMass Amherst is a public institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 24 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Amherst, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Massachusetts Amherst are $32,341.

Full UMass Amherst Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts
#9 in overall quality

Salem State University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Salem State is a medium-sized school located in Salem, Massachusetts that handed out 130 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Salem State has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Salem State University are $10,477, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Salem State

#12

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts
#15 in overall quality

University of Massachusetts - Boston ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school awarded 38 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Boston, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UMass Boston are $36,485, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UMass Boston

#13

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts
#3 in overall quality

Simmons University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 576 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Simmons also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Simmons are $21,698, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Simmons Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14

Springfield College

Springfield, Massachusetts
#13 in overall quality

Springfield College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. Springfield College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Springfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 118 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Springfield College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Springfield College are $33,535, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Springfield College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts
#11 in overall quality

Clark University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 66 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Clark also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Clark are $47,730.

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

#16

Anna Maria College

Paxton, Massachusetts
#7 in overall quality

Anna Maria College landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Anna Maria College is a small school located in Paxton, Massachusetts that handed out 118 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Anna Maria has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Anna Maria are $10,530.

Full Anna Maria College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#17

Suffolk University

Boston, Massachusetts
#14 in overall quality

Suffolk University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Suffolk University is a medium-sized school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 34 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Suffolk, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Suffolk University are $40,238.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Suffolk 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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