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

31 Ranked Colleges
3,595 Degrees Awarded
$21,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, there were 3,595 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,444 and $29,664 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 31 colleges that offer a degree in public administration and social service. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality public administration and social service programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

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. 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 Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid”.

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 Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

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

1
Community College of Philadelphia crest
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Community College of Philadelphia. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid list, Community College of Philadelphia has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. It costs about $13,384 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid per year to attend Community College of Philadelphia.

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

2
HACC crest
Harrisburg Area Community College
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harrisburg Area Community College. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, this fairly large public school handed out 27 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

HACC also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Harrisburg Area Community College is $11,608 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

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

3
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. UPenn is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 270 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for UPenn is $25,046 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full UPenn Public Administration & Social Service Report

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is a small school located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania that handed out 188 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Edinboro also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is $16,363 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

Full Edinboro Public Administration & Social Service Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid. Pitt is a large school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 357 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Pitt also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus is $27,058 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. 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 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Public Administration & Social Service Report

6
WCUPA crest
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #6, West Chester University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 197 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

WCUPA also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WCUPA is $21,484 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full WCUPA Public Administration & Social Service Report

7
SRU crest
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. SRU is a medium-sized public school situated in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. It awarded 41 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

SRU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is $19,927 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

8
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Carnegie Mellon is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 92 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Carnegie Mellon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Carnegie Mellon is $36,775 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Full Carnegie Mellon Public Administration & Social Service Report

9
Millersville crest
Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Millersville, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 136 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

Millersville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Millersville University of Pennsylvania is $23,133 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad 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 Millersville

10
Lincoln crest
Lincoln University
Lincoln University, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #10, Lincoln University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Lincoln University, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 98 students in 2020-2021.

Lincoln did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Lincoln is $17,741 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Lincoln

11

With a ranking of #11, California University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in California, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 67 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid list, Cal U has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California University of Pennsylvania is $19,117 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Cal U

12

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Bloomsburg is located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 57 ’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Bloomsburg not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $20,639 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Bloomsburg.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Bloomsburg

13
Ship crest
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Ship is a medium-sized public school situated in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 79 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Ship not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. It costs about $23,006 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Ship.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

14
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Temple University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Temple University is a large school located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that handed out 219 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Temple not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The yearly cost to attend Temple is $23,888 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, 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 Temple

15
LHU crest
Lock Haven University
Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 24 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid list, LHU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lock Haven University is $21,245 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at LHU

16

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Kutztown University is a medium-sized school located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania that handed out 106 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Kutztown University also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #14. The yearly cost to attend Kutztown University of Pennsylvania is $23,227 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

17

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 19 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Mansfield University is $11,793 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

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

18
Marywood crest
Marywood University
Scranton, Pennsylvania

Marywood University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Marywood is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It awarded 86 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid list, Marywood has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Marywood is $20,225 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Marywood

19
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It awarded 33 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania is $20,141 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at East Stroudsburg University

20
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania

Harcum College landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 66 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Harcum College is $23,699 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 Harcum College

21
Etown crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania

Elizabethtown College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.

Etown not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The estimated yearly cost for Elizabethtown College is $25,069 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

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

22
Cairn crest
Cairn University
Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Cairn University landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. Langhorne, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Cairn University is $25,765 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Cairn

23
Lancaster Bible College crest
Lancaster Bible College
Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster Bible College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 26 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $21,430 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid per year to attend Lancaster Bible College.

Full Lancaster Bible College Public Administration & Social Service Report

24
CHC crest
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #24, Chestnut Hill College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 65 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CHC, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chestnut Hill College is $24,202 for pennsylvania public administration & social service students with aid.

Full Chestnut Hill College Public Administration & Social Service Report

25
Widener crest
Widener University
Chester, Pennsylvania

Widener University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Chester, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 293 students in 2020-2021.

Widener also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Widener University is $31,792 for Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Widener Public Administration & Social Service Report

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