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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

39 Ranked Colleges
4,763 Degrees Awarded
$17,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

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 the Southwest region, there were 10,929 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,068 and $29,286 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 4,763 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 39 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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 for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Edinburg, Texas, this large public school awarded 158 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Full UT Rio Grande Valley Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Tyler. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UT Tyler is located in Tyler, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Tyler has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Tyler are $16,308.

Full UT Tyler Public Administration & Social Service Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M International University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized school located in Laredo, Texas that handed out 9 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M International University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M International University are $15,106, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Texas A&M International University

#17 in overall quality

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Texas landed the #4 spot on the list. UNT is located in Denton, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 82 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNT, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Texas are $15,618, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of North Texas Public Administration & Social Service Report

#23 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Woman’s University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Denton, Texas, this fairly large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, TWU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Woman’s University are $14,962.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at TWU

#24 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this large public school awarded 126 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UTSA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UTSA

#7

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#10 in overall quality

University of Houston came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UH is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 250 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also took the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UH Public Administration & Social Service Report

#8

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NSU is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 30 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at NSU are $10,600, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at NSU

#4 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 117 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #4 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Texas A&M College Station

#10

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
#6 in overall quality

Western New Mexico University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Western New Mexico University is a small school located in Silver City, New Mexico that handed out 139 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Western New Mexico University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western New Mexico University are $10,348, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school handed out 269 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886.

Full UT Austin Public Administration & Social Service Report

#12

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma
#20 in overall quality

East Central University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. East Central University is a small school located in Ada, Oklahoma that handed out 38 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

ECU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #20. Average graduate tuition and fees at East Central University are $11,568, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full East Central University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#13

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Texas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Texas State is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 182 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Texas State

#14

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Skysong ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this large public school awarded 343 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Skysong, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Arizona State University - Skysong

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 68 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Public Administration & Social Service Report

#8 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Richardson, Texas, this large public school handed out 36 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Dallas has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UT Dallas

#16

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#9 in overall quality

University of Arizona landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 36 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399.

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

#2 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UT Arlington is a large public school situated in Arlington, Texas. It awarded 733 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Arlington are $23,376, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Arlington Public Administration & Social Service Report

#18

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Texas Tech University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas Tech University is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 28 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Texas Tech University

#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. NMSU Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 60 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at New Mexico State University - Main Campus are $18,275, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

#21 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Commerce did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Texas A&M University - Commerce is a fairly large public school situated in Commerce, Texas. It awarded 75 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Commerce not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Commerce are $14,549, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Texas A&M Commerce

#21

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Lamar University is a fairly large school located in Beaumont, Texas that handed out 2 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Lamar University also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #0. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lamar University are $15,699.

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

#22

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 52 students in 2019-2020.

NAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at NAU are $19,489, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northern Arizona University Public Administration & Social Service Report

Stephen F Austin State University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SFASU is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 59 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Stephen F Austin State University are $15,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SFASU

#24

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 15 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Sam Houston State University are $15,704.

Full Sam Houston State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

Texas A&M University - Kingsville landed the #25 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Texas A&M University - Kingsville is located in Kingsville, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - Kingsville are $14,066, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Texas A&M University - Kingsville Public Administration & Social Service Report

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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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