2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Associate’s Degree Schools
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 1482 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
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2026 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
For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Fresno City College this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $6,334. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,470. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $33,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Area earned it the #3 place 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $34,392. That is a strong return on a $9,728 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,196 in student loans. 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 #5 spot this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,786 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $36,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,786 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #6 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, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,500. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cerritos College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $12,004 for out-of-state students. 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.
Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College earned the #9 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Texas College earned the #10 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,227 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $18,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Diego City College earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $26,218. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Bristol Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,433 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Set against $6,433 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Camden County College earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Students borrow a median of $9,219 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Camden County College earn a median of $24,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moreno Valley College earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,428 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,498. Students borrow a median of $14,119 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,246. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midlands Technical College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. 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, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,203 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,203 median debt.
Nassau Community College came in at #18 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,569 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College came in at #19 for value in public administration & social service this year. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the public administration & social service program here. 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.
Folsom Lake College landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Folsom, Folsom Lake College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,568 ten years after entry.
North Central State College earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,236 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,458. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,007, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Macomb Community College earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. 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.
Solano Community College earned the #24 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,172 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Median earnings reach $44,170 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,922. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $34,003. That is a strong return on a $17,922 median debt.
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:
Other Public Administration & Social Service Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Public Administration & Social Service rankings across degree levels:
View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 1482 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 67 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.
