[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 856 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.
Finding the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service School for You
The public administration & social service program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for public administration & social service in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,608 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $58,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Santa Ana College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,196. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,074. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,690 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $52,676 early in their careers. Set against $12,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $57,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,895 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
California State University San Bernardino placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,159 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $52,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,159 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,786 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $36,338. That is a strong return on a $6,786 median debt.
Princeton University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $79,371. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,631 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $35,345 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public school located in the city of Brownsville. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Students borrow a median of $10,550 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $30,343. Set against $10,550 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $7,860 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $33,854 early in their careers. Set against $7,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Area placed #13 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,950 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,728. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $34,392. Set against $9,728 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $56,685. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Macomb Community College came in at #15 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,862. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,995. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #17 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Students borrow a median of $30,726 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,173. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College landed the #18 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,203 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. Set against $18,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Stanislaus placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Students borrow a median of $14,813 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $66,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
California State University Bakersfield landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, while out-of-state students pay about $20,687. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,009. California State University Bakersfield admits about 94% of applicants.
Washtenaw Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $29,495 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
California State University Northridge came in at #23 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $62,863. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Shasta College landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,275 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $42,839. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration & social service value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 856 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 856 ranked schools only.
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).
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
