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2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid

29 Ranked Colleges
4,029 Degrees Awarded
$21,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 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 Getting Aid” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

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

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

Top 26 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in Massachusetts (With Aid)

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid. Harvard is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 539 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $15,386 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid 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.

Full Harvard Public Administration & Social Service Report

#2

Bristol Community College

Fall River, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bristol Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bristol, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bristol Community College is $7,194 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Bristol Community College

#3

Holyoke Community College

Holyoke, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Holyoke Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and it awarded 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. It costs about $7,718 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Holyoke Community College.

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

#4

Quinsigamond Community College

Worcester, Massachusetts

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Quinsigamond Community College landed the #4 spot on the 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 also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for Quinsigamond Community College is $7,528 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

Full Quinsigamond Community College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#5

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bunker Hill Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid. BHCC is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 ’s 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 yearly cost to attend Bunker Hill Community College is $7,867 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at BHCC

#6

Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, Massachusetts

Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. MWCC is a public institution located in Gardner, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 51 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MWCC also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mount Wachusett Community College is $8,688 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 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 Mount Wachusett Community College

#7

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Fitchburg State University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and it awarded 38 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Fitchburg State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Fitchburg State University is $16,001 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

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

#8

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

Westfield State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Westfield is a public institution located in Westfield, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 155 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid 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 $19,167 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

The low 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 Westfield State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #9, Bridgewater State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Bridgewater, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 141 students in 2019-2020.

Bridgewater State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $18,457 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid per year to attend Bridgewater State.

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

#10

Quincy College

Quincy, Massachusetts

Quincy College landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Quincy, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Quincy College is $15,758 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

Full Quincy College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Salem, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school awarded 193 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Salem State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $18,399 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid per year to attend Salem State.

Full Salem State Public Administration & Social Service Report

#12

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Boston landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. UMass Boston is a fairly large public school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 90 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,340 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend University of Massachusetts - Boston.

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

#13

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Boston University is a large school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 376 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boston U, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $30,259 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Boston University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Boston U Public Administration & Social Service Report

#14

Anna Maria College

Paxton, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #14, Anna Maria College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Paxton, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 153 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Anna Maria also took the #8 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Anna Maria is $24,626 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Anna Maria

#15

Elms College

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Elms College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #15. 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 also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #11. It costs about $23,855 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid per year to attend Elms College.

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

#16

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Simmons University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 597 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Simmons also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Simmons is $30,008 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

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 low student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Simmons

#17

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Boston College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s public administration and social service degrees to 221 students in 2019-2020.

Boston College also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Boston College is $35,899 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#18

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

Smith College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Smith is a private not-for-profit institution located in Northampton, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 126 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Smith not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Smith College is $28,305 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#19

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #19, University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 95 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UMass Amherst is $22,501 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Massachusetts Amherst

#20

Gordon College

Wenham, Massachusetts

Gordon College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Wenham, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 degrees to qualified ’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Gordon College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Gordon College is $25,777 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Gordon College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#21

Springfield College

Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Springfield College is a small school located in Springfield, Massachusetts that handed out 118 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Springfield College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Springfield College is $30,134 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid.

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

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

#22

Fisher College

Boston, Massachusetts

Fisher College landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Fisher College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 41 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $22,204 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Fisher College.

Full Fisher College Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

Cambridge College

Boston, Massachusetts

Cambridge College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. Boston, Massachusetts 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 38 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cambridge College, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $26,993 for Massachusetts Public Administration & Social Service students with aid per year to attend Cambridge College.

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.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Cambridge College

#23

Lasell University

Newton, Massachusetts

Lasell University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. Lasell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Newton, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $27,428 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid per year to attend Lasell University.

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

#24

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Medford, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tufts, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tufts University is $30,744 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, 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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full Tufts Public Administration & Social Service Report

#25

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Clark University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Clark is a small school located in Worcester, Massachusetts that handed out 69 ’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Clark not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Clark is $28,805 for massachusetts public administration & social service students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, 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 students. 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 Clark 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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