2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Associate’s Degree Schools
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 173 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration & social service, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Santa Ana College tops our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in the United States. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. 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. That is a strong return on a $11,196 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. 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.
Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $34,392 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,550. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,550 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $7,860 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $33,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,203 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,610. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #9 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #10 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bristol Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,433 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modesto Junior College placed #13 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $8,575. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Modesto Junior College generally make around $36,525. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,227 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $18,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,227 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $42,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College came in at #16 for value in public administration & social service this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,038 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,038 median debt.
Trident Technical College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,116. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,922. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Set against $17,922 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College earned the #19 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,812 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College came in at #20 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,150, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
El Centro College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $31,701 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,295. Set against $31,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ventura College placed #22 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,250. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,318, while out-of-state students pay about $11,308. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Santa Rosa Junior College generally make around $80,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,420 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Itawamba Community College earn a median of $40,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College came in at #25 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,194 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,074. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Stella And Charles Guttman Community College generally make around $22,496.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration & social service this year:
Other Public Administration & Social Service Degree Levels
Explore the best-value public administration & social service schools at other degree levels:
View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 173 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 173 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
