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2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

121 Ranked Colleges
1,413 Degrees Awarded
$39,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” 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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,413 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 121 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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 Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. 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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 121 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Harvard not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Harvard University are $50,654, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Harvard Public Administration & Social Service Report

#2

Duke University

Durham, North Carolina
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Duke University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. Duke is a fairly large school located in Durham, North Carolina that handed out 1 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Duke, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Duke are $59,140, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#3

Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, Missouri
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington University in St Louis. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 9 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

WUSTL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington University in St Louis are $56,562, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Washington University in St Louis

#4

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 17 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#5

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 121 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Princeton University landed the #5 spot on the list. Princeton University is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 2 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Princeton University

#6

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#12 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. UPenn is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, UPenn has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760.

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

#7

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Cornell University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Ithaca, New York, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Cornell has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell University are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Cornell

#8 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 13 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Columbia Public Administration & Social Service Report

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at U-M

#18 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 4 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UW - Madison

#11

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#21 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UNC Chapel Hill

#12

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
#23 in overall quality

Boston College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Boston College has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Berkeley is located in Berkeley, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UC Berkeley

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW Seattle is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294.

Full UW Seattle Public Administration & Social Service Report

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UIUC

#16

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
Top 25% in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of California - Los Angeles

#17

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at IU Bloomington

#18

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities are $28,845, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Florida International University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Florida International University

#20

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#6 in overall quality

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It awarded 3 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Carnegie Mellon also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon University are $47,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Carnegie Mellon University

#21

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland
#15 in overall quality

University of Maryland - College Park ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Maryland - College Park is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 6 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UMCP also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #15. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Maryland - College Park Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #22, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State are $26,707.

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

#23

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
#13 in overall quality

Boston University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston U did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Boston University are $57,666.

Full Boston University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#24

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina

With a ranking of #24, North Carolina State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k list. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at North Carolina State University are $28,999, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#25

Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #25. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Bryn Mawr College are $45,240, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Bryn Mawr

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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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