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

15 Ranked Colleges
2,157 Degrees Awarded
$15,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Virginia 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 Virginia, there were 2,157 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,798 and $27,601 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 15 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 15 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $0-$30k) in Virginia

1
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend William & Mary. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school situated in Williamsburg, Virginia. It awarded 55 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

William & Mary also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $5,972 for Virginia Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. 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 William & Mary Public Administration & Social Service Report

2
University of Virginia crest
University of Virginia - Main Campus
Charlottesville, Virginia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Virginia - Main Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. Charlottesville, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 180 students in 2020-2021.

University of Virginia also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend University of Virginia is $12,476 for Virginia Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Virginia Public Administration & Social Service Report

3
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Virginia Tech landed the #3 spot on the list. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 71 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $11,934 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Virginia Tech

4
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, James Madison University landed the #4 spot on the list. Harrisonburg, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 136 students in 2020-2021.

JMU also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for James Madison University is $14,288 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full JMU Public Administration & Social Service Report

5
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, George Mason University landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, this large public school handed out 342 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GMU, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,781 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend George Mason University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 86%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at GMU

6

Virginia Commonwealth University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. VCU is located in Richmond, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 348 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at VCU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Commonwealth University is $14,507 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Virginia Commonwealth University Public Administration & Social Service Report

7
Old Dominion crest
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

Old Dominion University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Old Dominion is a public institution located in Norfolk, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Old Dominion did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” list. The estimated yearly cost for Old Dominion is $13,335 for Virginia Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Old Dominion

8
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Radford is located in Radford, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Radford also took the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Radford University is $11,420 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Radford University

9
Norfolk State crest
Norfolk State University
Norfolk, Virginia

Norfolk State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Norfolk State University is located in Norfolk, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 91 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Norfolk State, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $14,013 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Norfolk State University.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Norfolk State University

10
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Beach, Virginia 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 69 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k list, Regent has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Regent University is $20,479 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Regent

11

Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $13,071 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach.

With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Bryant & Stratton College - Virginia Beach Public Administration & Social Service Report

12
Mary Baldwin crest
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, Virginia

Mary Baldwin University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This small school is located in Staunton, Virginia, and it awarded 25 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Mary Baldwin, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $16,899 for Virginia Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mary Baldwin.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Mary Baldwin University

13
Virginia State crest
Virginia State University
Petersburg, Virginia

Virginia State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia State University is a small school located in Petersburg, Virginia that handed out 35 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia State also took the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia State University is $15,823 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

14
Liberty University crest
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia

With a ranking of #14, Liberty University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Lynchburg, Virginia, and it awarded 495 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Liberty University also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” ranking. It costs about $29,786 for virginia public administration & social service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Liberty University.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Liberty University

15
Bluefield College crest
Bluefield College
Bluefield, Virginia

Bluefield College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Bluefield, Virginia, and it awarded 26 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Bluefield College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Virginia” list. It costs about $22,606 for Virginia Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bluefield College.

Full Bluefield College Public Administration & Social Service Report

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