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

141 Ranked Colleges
19,866 Degrees Awarded
$6,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 98,583 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. 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 the Southeast region, there were 19,866 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,709 and $29,395 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 141 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. 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 the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

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

1
Duke crest
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Durham, North Carolina 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 269 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Duke has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $371 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Duke.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Duke

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 387 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UNC Chapel Hill

3
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Nashville, Tennessee 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 72 students in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $3,176 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. 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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Vanderbilt

4
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #4 spot on the list. Williamsburg, Virginia is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 55 students in 2020-2021.

William & Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $5,972 for southeast region 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at William & Mary

5

Out of the 141 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida International University landed the #5 spot on the list. Miami, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 341 students in 2020-2021.

FIU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $3,196 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FIU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at FIU

6

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 302 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also claimed a top spot on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $4,176 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at USF Tampa

7
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #7, Florida State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 160 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $4,950 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Florida State University

8
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. FAU is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 287 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, FAU has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FAU is $6,726 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at FAU

9
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

With a ranking of #9, University of Virginia - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Virginia - Main Campus is located in Charlottesville, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 180 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

University of Virginia not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $12,476 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

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

10
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 321 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UGA also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $8,303 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UGA.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 University of Georgia

11

University of Central Florida did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. UCF is a public institution located in Orlando, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 637 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCF, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,468 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCF.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Central Florida

12
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 209 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for NC State is $7,283 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at North Carolina State University

13
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Blacksburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 71 students in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $11,934 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national 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.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Virginia Tech

14

The University of West Florida came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Pensacola, Florida, this fairly large public school awarded 58 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for UWF is $4,288 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at The University of West Florida

15
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida

With a ranking of #15, Indian River State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indian River State College is a fairly large school located in Fort Pierce, Florida that handed out 170 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Indian River State College is $2,686 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Indian River State College Public Administration & Social Service Report

16

With a ranking of #16, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 440 students in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,433 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Knoxville.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 UT Knoxville

17

Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. FSCJ is a public institution located in Jacksonville, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 154 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $1,144 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Florida State College at Jacksonville

18
NKU crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Kentucky University is a fairly large public school situated in Highland Heights, Kentucky. It awarded 169 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Kentucky University is $4,632 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northern Kentucky University

19
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Boone, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 192 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

On top of its placing in this ranking, Appalachian State also did well on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,354 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 Appalachian State Public Administration & Social Service Report

20

With a ranking of #20, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 379 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $11,318 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

21

University of North Carolina at Greensboro came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, this fairly large public school awarded 144 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,645 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

22
UNF crest
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida

University of North Florida landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of North Florida is a fairly large school located in Jacksonville, Florida that handed out 49 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,367 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNF.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of North Florida

23
Fayetteville State University crest
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina

Fayetteville State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Fayetteville, North Carolina is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 107 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fayetteville State University is $5,366 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Fayetteville State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

24
FGCU crest
Florida Gulf Coast University
Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. FGCU is a fairly large public school situated in Fort Myers, Florida. It awarded 88 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Florida Gulf Coast University is $6,762 for Southeast Region Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 FGCU

25
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Greenville, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 130 students in 2020-2021.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,260 for southeast region public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend ECU.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at ECU

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