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2023 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in California (With Aid)

34 Ranked Colleges
9,390 Degrees Awarded
$11,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 California, there were 9,390 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $50,986 and $22,122 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 34 colleges that offered a degree in public administration and social service. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration and social service programs and 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 California For Those Getting Aid”.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in California (With Aid)

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Los Angeles is a large school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 347 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State LA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Los Angeles is $3,302 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Public Administration & Social Service Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Fresno. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. Located in Fresno, California, this large public school awarded 205 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

Fresno State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fresno State is $6,230 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Fresno State

3

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 311 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $16,032 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Public Administration & Social Service Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Long Beach. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid. California State University - Long Beach is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 432 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students with aid list, CSULB has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full California State University - Long Beach Public Administration & Social Service Report

5

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Northridge landed the #5 spot on the list. CSUN is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 457 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUN also took the #11 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $8,523 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Northridge

6

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. CSUSB is a fairly large public school situated in San Bernardino, California. It awarded 236 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students with aid list, CSUSB has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,107 for california public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend CSUSB.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at CSUSB

7

California State University - Fullerton landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 469 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $8,003 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Cal State Fullerton

8

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 336 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $11,178 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Sacramento

9
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Fresno City College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fresno City College is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno City College is $2,584 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

Full Fresno City College Public Administration & Social Service Report

10

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 134 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUB is $7,454 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

Full CSUB Public Administration & Social Service Report

11

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Carson, California, this fairly large public school handed out 338 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUDH is $4,026 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Dominguez Hills

12

University of California - Los Angeles landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 223 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of California - Los Angeles

13
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. SDSU is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 375 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

SDSU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $13,845 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid per year to attend San Diego State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full San Diego State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

14

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Stan State is a fairly large public school situated in Turlock, California. It awarded 107 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Stan State is $6,566 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

Full Stan State Public Administration & Social Service Report

15

California State University - East Bay landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Hayward, California, this fairly large public school handed out 143 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay also took the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $13,298 for california public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend California State University - East Bay.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - East Bay

16
San Diego City College crest
San Diego City College
San Diego, California

San Diego City College landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 101 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend San Diego City College is $5,723 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at San Diego City College

17
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. San Jose State is a large school located in San Jose, California that handed out 227 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Jose State University is $16,542 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at San Jose State

18

University of California - Riverside ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 120 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

UCR also took the #15 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $11,822 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of California - Riverside

19

California State University - Monterey Bay did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in Seaside, California, and it awarded 157 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

CSUMB also took the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Monterey Bay is $13,597 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%.

Full CSUMB Public Administration & Social Service Report

20

California State University - Chico came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Chico is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 194 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students with aid list, Chico State has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Chico is $16,218 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Chico State

21
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

San Francisco State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 95 students in 2020-2021.

SFSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Francisco State University is $14,459 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Full San Francisco State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

22
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid ranking. Arcata, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 113 students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $14,956 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

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

23

California State University - San Marcos ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. CSUSM is a public institution located in San Marcos, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - San Marcos is $13,218 for california public administration & social service students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 CSUSM

24
Fresno Pacific crest
Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, California

Fresno Pacific University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California For Those Getting Aid list. Fresno Pacific University is located in Fresno, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 210 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Fresno Pacific also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend Fresno Pacific is $19,029 for California Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%.

Full Fresno Pacific University Public Administration & Social Service Report

25

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