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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in Kentucky

15 Ranked Colleges
839 Degrees Awarded
$13,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor's in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 Kentucky, there were 1,929 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,729 and $27,086 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 839 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,401 and $24,684 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 15 colleges that offer a degree 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

The public administration & social service school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 15 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in Kentucky

#1

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Kentucky University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k. Highland Heights, Kentucky is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to 69 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, NKU has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” ranking. It costs about $6,295 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NKU.

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

#2

Murray State University

Murray, Kentucky
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Murray State University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k. This medium-sized school is located in Murray, Kentucky, and it awarded 70 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Murray State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Murray State is $9,185 for Kentucky Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#3

Kentucky State University

Frankfort, Kentucky
#14 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Kentucky State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k. Kentucky State University is a small school located in Frankfort, Kentucky that handed out 10 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

KY State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” list. The yearly cost to attend KY State is $5,526 for Kentucky Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full KY State Public Administration & Social Service Report

#4

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Kentucky. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k. UK is located in Lexington, Kentucky and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” ranking. It costs about $12,872 for Kentucky Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Kentucky.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UK

#5

Brescia University

Owensboro, Kentucky
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brescia University landed the #5 spot on the list. Brescia University is located in Owensboro, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 62 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Brescia University also took the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Brescia University is $11,505 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Brescia University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#6

University of Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Louisville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k list. UofL is a large public school situated in Louisville, Kentucky. It awarded 71 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UofL also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Louisville is $14,341 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UofL Public Administration & Social Service Report

#7

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, Kentucky
#7 in overall quality

Eastern Kentucky University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in Richmond, Kentucky, and it awarded 51 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Eastern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” list. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern is $11,641 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Eastern Kentucky University

#8

University of the Cumberlands

Williamsburg, Kentucky
#6 in overall quality

University of the Cumberlands did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. This fairly large school is located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, and it awarded 65 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Cumberlands did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” list. It costs about $15,634 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Cumberlands.

Full Cumberlands Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

Morehead State University

Morehead, Kentucky
#12 in overall quality

Morehead State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Morehead State University is located in Morehead, Kentucky and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 58 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Morehead State University, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” ranking. It costs about $11,086 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Morehead State University.

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

#10

Lindsey Wilson College

Columbia, Kentucky
#5 in overall quality

Lindsey Wilson College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Lindsey Wilson College is located in Columbia, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 166 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Lindsey Wilson College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lindsey Wilson College is $12,838 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Lindsey Wilson College

#11

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, Kentucky
#4 in overall quality

Western Kentucky University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Western Kentucky University is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 74 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

WKU also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WKU is $14,790 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Western Kentucky University

#12

University of Pikeville

Pikeville, Kentucky
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Pikeville did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Pikeville, Kentucky, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UPIKE did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Pikeville is $19,388 for Kentucky Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UPIKE

#13

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville, Kentucky
#10 in overall quality

Campbellsville University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k list. Campbellsville University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Campbellsville, Kentucky. It awarded 60 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Campbellsville University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” list. It costs about $16,625 for Kentucky Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Campbellsville University.

Full Campbellsville University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14

Asbury University

Wilmore, Kentucky
#11 in overall quality

Asbury University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Asbury University is located in Wilmore, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Asbury not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” list. It costs about $22,929 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Asbury.

Full Asbury Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Spalding University

Louisville, Kentucky
#13 in overall quality

Spalding University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in Kentucky For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Spalding University is located in Louisville, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Spalding also took the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Kentucky” ranking. It costs about $23,218 for kentucky bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Spalding.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Spalding 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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