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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

39 Ranked Colleges
4,763 Degrees Awarded
$16,600 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 Getting Aid” ranking.

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.

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.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 39 colleges that offer a degree in public administration and social service. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration and social service programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students with aid.

Top 26 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

#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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the #1 spot on the list. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is a large school located in Edinburg, Texas that handed out 158 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Rio Grande Valley also took the #15 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 UT Rio Grande Valley are $15,151.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

#2

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
#6 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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Western New Mexico University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Silver City, New Mexico, this small public school handed out 139 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western New Mexico University, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. 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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at Western New Mexico University

Out of the 39 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M International University landed the #3 spot on the list. Texas A&M International University is a medium-sized public school situated in Laredo, Texas. It awarded 9 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M International University, the school also landed the #0 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 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

#22 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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Tyler landed the #4 spot on the list. The University of Texas at 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.

UT Tyler also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #22. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Tyler are $16,308, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at The University of Texas at Tyler

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 269 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 with aid list, UT Austin has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#8 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas at Dallas is a large public school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 36 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Dallas, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UT Dallas Public Administration & Social Service Report

#7

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma

Northeastern State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and it awarded 30 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 Northeastern State University are $10,600.

Full Northeastern State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#23 in overall quality

Texas Woman’s University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students with aid list, TWU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at TWU are $14,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at TWU

With a ranking of #9, The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public school handed out 68 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UTEP Public Administration & Social Service Report

#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas at San Antonio is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 126 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 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 UTSA are $25,807.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UTSA

#11

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#10 in overall quality

University of Houston came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UH is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 250 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students with aid list, UH has also earned the #10 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 University of Houston are $18,689.

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

#12

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma
#20 in overall quality

East Central University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. East Central University is a public institution located in Ada, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ECU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at East Central University are $11,568, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at ECU

#2 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public institution located in Arlington, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 733 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students with aid list, UT Arlington has also earned the #2 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 UT Arlington are $23,376.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at The University of Texas at Arlington

#14

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Texas State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. San Marcos, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 182 students in 2019-2020.

Texas State also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas State University are $17,040, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#14

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Skysong 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 Getting Aid ranking. ASU - Skysong is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 343 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Skysong not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Skysong are $6,724, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Arizona State University - Skysong

#11 in overall quality

University of Phoenix - Arizona landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 123 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UOPX - Arizona, the school also landed the #11 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 Phoenix - Arizona are $17,096, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Phoenix - Arizona

#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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #16. Texas A&M Commerce is a public institution located in Commerce, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 75 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M Commerce also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Commerce are $14,549, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#17

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas

Lamar University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Lamar University is a fairly large public school situated in Beaumont, Texas. It awarded 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at Lamar University are $15,699, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Lamar University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#25 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 60 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students with aid list, NMSU Main Campus has also earned the #25 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 NMSU Main Campus are $18,275.

Full New Mexico State University - Main Campus Public Administration & Social Service Report

#19

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas
#17 in overall quality

University of North Texas ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of North Texas is a public institution located in Denton, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 82 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree public administration & social service students with aid list, UNT has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#20

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Tarleton 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 Getting Aid list. Tarleton State University is a fairly large public school situated in Stephenville, Texas. It awarded 57 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 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 Tarleton are $15,485.

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

#21

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. SHSU is a public institution located in Huntsville, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at SHSU are $15,704, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Sam Houston State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #22, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 117 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#23

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas

West Texas A&M University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Canyon, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at West Texas A&M University are $8,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Stephen F Austin State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Nacogdoches, Texas, and it awarded 59 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 Stephen F Austin State University are $15,695.

Full SFASU Public Administration & Social Service Report

Texas A&M University - Kingsville came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas A&M University - Kingsville is a medium-sized public school situated in Kingsville, Texas. It awarded 19 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M Kingsville are $14,066, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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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