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2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region

44 Ranked Colleges
4,960 Degrees Awarded
$14,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor's in the Southwest Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region” 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 the Southwest region, there were 10,929 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,068 and $29,286 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 4,960 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,896 and $23,899 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region” ranking analyzed 44 colleges that offered a degree in public administration and social service. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration and social service programs, but they also cost less that 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.

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in the Southwest Region

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region. UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 692 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UOPX - Arizona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona is $12,944 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Phoenix - Arizona

#24 in overall quality

Out of the 44 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, West Texas A&M University landed the #2 spot on the list. West Texas A&M University is a fairly large public school situated in Canyon, Texas. It awarded 54 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

West Texas A&M University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend West Texas A&M University is $12,761 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at West Texas A&M University

#3

Western New Mexico University

Silver City, New Mexico
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Western New Mexico University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region. Western New Mexico University is a small public school situated in Silver City, New Mexico. It awarded 25 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Western New Mexico University, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western New Mexico University is $12,411 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Western New Mexico University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Arizona State University - Skysong. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region. This large school is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and it awarded 137 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Skysong is $13,971 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Arizona State University - Skysong

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 121 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

UT Rio Grande Valley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UT Rio Grande Valley is $4,514 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.8% 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 more about Public Administration & Social Service at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

#6

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Tarleton State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Tarleton is a fairly large public school situated in Stephenville, Texas. It awarded 86 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tarleton State University is $18,979 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Full Tarleton Public Administration & Social Service Report

#7

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

With a ranking of #7, MSU Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Wichita Falls, Texas, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for MSU Texas is $10,045 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at MSU Texas

#8

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma
#20 in overall quality

Northeastern State University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Tahlequah, Oklahoma is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

NSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend NSU is $9,994 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

Full Northeastern State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas
#12 in overall quality

Angelo State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Angelo State University is located in San Angelo, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students list, Angelo State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,819 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students per year to attend Angelo State University.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Angelo State

#10

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
#13 in overall quality

Texas Woman’s University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to 53 students in 2019-2020.

TWU also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for TWU is $9,617 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at TWU

#11

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#14 in overall quality

Northern Arizona University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Northern Arizona University is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 157 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students list, NAU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Arizona University is $12,915 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Northern Arizona University

#12

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona

Grand Canyon University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, this large private for-profit school handed out 1,422 degrees to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Grand Canyon University is $21,020 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Grand Canyon University

#13

Lamar University

Beaumont, Texas
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Lamar University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region list. Lamar University is a fairly large public school situated in Beaumont, Texas. It awarded 47 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Lamar University, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,311 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend Lamar University.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Lamar University

University of Houston - Downtown came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking. University of Houston - Downtown is a fairly large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 56 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend UH Downtown is $6,848 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UH Downtown

#15

Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, Texas
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Wayland Baptist University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region list. Wayland Baptist University is located in Plainview, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 68 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Wayland Baptist University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wayland Baptist University is $25,152 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Wayland Baptist University

#16

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas
#16 in overall quality

University of North Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Denton, Texas, this large public school awarded 70 degrees to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students list, UNT has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNT is $15,086 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UNT

#17

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
#7 in overall quality

Texas State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region list. Texas State is a public institution located in San Marcos, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 150 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas State University is $15,230 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

Full Texas State Public Administration & Social Service Report

#19

East Central University

Ada, Oklahoma

East Central University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #19. ECU is a public institution located in Ada, Oklahoma. The school has a small population, and it awarded 47 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend ECU is $10,334 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Full ECU Public Administration & Social Service Report

#19 in overall quality

University of Houston - Clear Lake landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students list, UH Clear Lake has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston - Clear Lake is $10,612 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Public Administration & Social Service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UH Clear Lake

#22 in overall quality

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region list. Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 74 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

SFASU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFASU is $13,723 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SFASU

#18 in overall quality

Lubbock Christian University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking. Lubbock Christian University is located in Lubbock, Texas and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

LCU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Lubbock Christian University is $24,128 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Full Lubbock Christian University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#23

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#15 in overall quality

Texas Tech University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region list. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 20 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech University is $17,571 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Texas Tech University

Southwestern Christian University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region ranking, coming in at #24. This small school is located in Bethany, Oklahoma, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Southwestern Christian University is $20,201 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students.

Full SCU Public Administration & Social Service Report

Texas A&M University - Commerce ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region list. Texas A&M Commerce is a fairly large public school situated in Commerce, Texas. It awarded 54 bachelors’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $13,017 for southwest region bachelor’s degree public administration & social service students per year to attend Texas A&M Commerce.

Full Texas A&M University - Commerce 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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