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2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

31 Ranked Colleges
3,595 Degrees Awarded
$15,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 98,583 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,520 and had an average of $27,642 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 3,595 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,444 and $29,664 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 31 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

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

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

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

1
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 270 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

UPenn also took the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $580 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UPenn.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Pennsylvania

2
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools 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. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 92 students in 2020-2021.

Carnegie Mellon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon is $16,456 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Carnegie Mellon University Public Administration & Social Service Report

3
Community College of Philadelphia crest
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 31 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Community College of Philadelphia landed the #3 spot on the list. Community College of Philadelphia is a fairly large public school situated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It awarded 56 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Community College of Philadelphia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Community College of Philadelphia is $12,455 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Community College of Philadelphia Public Administration & Social Service Report

4
Dickinson crest
Dickinson College
Carlisle, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Dickinson College. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k. Dickinson College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Dickinson has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Dickinson is $12,729 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 Dickinson

5
Bryn Mawr crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bryn Mawr College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 66 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Bryn Mawr has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bryn Mawr is $16,435 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 Bryn Mawr College

6
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Harrisburg Area Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. HACC is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at HACC, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harrisburg Area Community College is $9,741 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Harrisburg Area Community College Public Administration & Social Service Report

7
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. SRU is located in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 41 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

SRU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $14,091 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at SRU

8

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 188 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Edinboro also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #16. It costs about $12,212 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

Full Edinboro Public Administration & Social Service Report

9
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. West Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 197 students in 2020-2021.

WCUPA also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $15,718 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad 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 West Chester University of Pennsylvania

10

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 357 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Pitt has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $15,084 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Public Administration & Social Service Report

11
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. This medium-sized school is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 136 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Millersville also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $17,224 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Millersville.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Millersville University of Pennsylvania

12
Villanova crest
Villanova University
Villanova, Pennsylvania

Villanova University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Villanova, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 114 students in 2020-2021.

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 Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Villanova is $24,907 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 Villanova University Public Administration & Social Service Report

13
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Temple University is a public institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 219 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Temple, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $18,173 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Temple.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Temple

14
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #14, Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 79 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Ship did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is $18,076 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

14

With a ranking of #14, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 106 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Kutztown University, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is $18,732 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Kutztown University Public Administration & Social Service Report

16

California University of Pennsylvania came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cal U is a medium-sized school located in California, Pennsylvania that handed out 67 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal U, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal U is $15,854 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

17
Etown crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown College landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Etown is located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Etown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,069 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Elizabethtown College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Elizabethtown College Public Administration & Social Service Report

18
Lincoln crest
Lincoln University
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

Lincoln University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Lincoln University is a small school located in Lincoln University, Pennsylvania that handed out 98 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Lincoln not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Lincoln University is $16,421 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

19

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 57 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Bloomsburg did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is $16,112 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Bloomsburg

20
Marywood crest
Marywood University
Scranton, Pennsylvania

Marywood University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Marywood University is a small school located in Scranton, Pennsylvania that handed out 86 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Marywood not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $18,249 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marywood University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Marywood Public Administration & Social Service Report

21
LHU crest
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lock Haven, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 24 students in 2020-2021.

LHU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for LHU is $16,889 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at LHU

22

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This small school is located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 19 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Mansfield University is $9,043 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Mansfield University Public Administration & Social Service Report

23
Cairn crest
Cairn University
Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Cairn University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Cairn University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. It awarded 16 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $21,041 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cairn.

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

24
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school awarded 33 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is $16,590 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at East Stroudsburg University

25
Lancaster Bible College crest
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #25, Lancaster Bible College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lancaster, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Lancaster Bible College is $18,208 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Lancaster Bible College

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