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2022 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in Massachusetts

29 Ranked Colleges
4,029 Degrees Awarded
$13,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts 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 in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 Massachusetts, there were 4,029 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $44,551 and $32,142 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 29 colleges that offered 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service (Income $30-$48k) in Massachusetts

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 539 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Harvard, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $1,010 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harvard University.

The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Harvard

#2

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Boston College landed the #2 spot on the list. Boston College is a fairly large school located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts that handed out 221 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Boston College also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $8,951 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Boston College.

The low 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%. 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 Boston College

#3

Bristol Community College

Fall River, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bristol Community College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k. Fall River, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 66 students in 2019-2020.

Bristol also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Bristol is $5,741 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Bristol

#4

Holyoke Community College

Holyoke, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Holyoke Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Holyoke Community College is a small school located in Holyoke, Massachusetts that handed out 49 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Holyoke Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Holyoke Community College is $6,815 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Holyoke Community College

#5

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northeastern University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northeastern is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 28 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Northeastern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $12,823 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northeastern University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northeastern University

#6

Quinsigamond Community College

Worcester, Massachusetts

Quinsigamond Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 85 students in 2019-2020.

Quinsigamond Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $7,093 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Quinsigamond Community College.

Full Quinsigamond Community College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#7

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

Smith College landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Smith is located in Northampton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 126 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Smith also took the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Smith College is $10,169 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Smith

#8

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 376 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Boston U also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Boston University is $13,256 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Boston U

#9

Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, Massachusetts

Mount Wachusett Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Mount Wachusett Community College is a small public school situated in Gardner, Massachusetts. It awarded 51 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MWCC, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend MWCC is $7,841 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Mount Wachusett Community College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#10

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts

Bunker Hill Community College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Bunker Hill Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 22 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

BHCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for BHCC is $8,116 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full BHCC Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Tufts University is a fairly large school located in Medford, Massachusetts that handed out 19 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Tufts also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Tufts University is $6,516 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Tufts University

#12

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Fitchburg State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Fitchburg, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 38 students in 2019-2020.

Fitchburg State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $13,208 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Fitchburg State.

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

#13

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

Westfield State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Westfield State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Westfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 155 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Westfield has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Westfield is $14,071 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#14

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #14, University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and it awarded 95 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,474 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The low student loan default rate of 2.8% 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 89%.

Full UMass Amherst Public Administration & Social Service Report

#15

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Bridgewater State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Bridgewater State is a fairly large school located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts that handed out 141 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Bridgewater State also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $14,707 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bridgewater State.

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

#16

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Massachusetts - Boston is a fairly large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 90 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts - Boston is $15,055 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of Massachusetts - Boston Public Administration & Social Service Report

#17

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Salem State University is a public institution located in Salem, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 193 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Salem State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $16,416 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Salem State University.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Salem State

#18

Quincy College

Quincy, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #18, Quincy College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Quincy, Massachusetts, and it awarded 37 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Quincy College is $15,055 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Quincy College

#19

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, and it awarded 163 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Brandeis also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $16,074 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Brandeis University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Brandeis University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#20

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #20, Simmons University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Simmons is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 597 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k list, Simmons has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Simmons University is $25,818 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Simmons

#21

Anna Maria College

Paxton, Massachusetts

Anna Maria College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Anna Maria is located in Paxton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 153 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Anna Maria not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Anna Maria is $21,222 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Anna Maria College

#22

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Clark University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Clark University is a small school located in Worcester, Massachusetts that handed out 69 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Clark, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $20,581 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Clark University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Clark

#23

Springfield College

Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 118 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Springfield College also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $22,254 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Springfield College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Springfield College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#24

Elms College

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Elms College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Elms College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicopee, Massachusetts. It awarded 46 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Elms College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Elms College is $18,295 for massachusetts public administration & social service students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Elms College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#25

Fisher College

Boston, Massachusetts

Fisher College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fisher College is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 41 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Fisher College is $20,237 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

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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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