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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service

116 Ranked Colleges
1,413 Degrees Awarded
$18,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate

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 for a Doctorate” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2019-2020, 97,666 people earned their degree in public administration and social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. 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.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,413 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate” ranking, we looked at 116 colleges that offer 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate.

Top 26 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service

#1

Walden University

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#19 in overall quality

Out of the 116 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, Walden University landed the #1 spot on the list. Walden University is a large private for-profit school situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It awarded 226 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Walden University also took the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Walden University are $10,716.

Full Walden University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#2

California Baptist University

Riverside, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Baptist University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. California Baptist University is a fairly large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 11 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Baptist University are $14,140.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Cal Baptist

#3

Capella University

Minneapolis, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Capella University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. Minneapolis, Minnesota is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to 110 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Capella University are $14,767.

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

#4

Aurora University

Aurora, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Aurora University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate. Located in Aurora, Illinois, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Aurora University are $13,200, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Aurora Public Administration & Social Service Report

#5

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a fairly large public school situated in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It awarded 15 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at WCUPA are $16,758, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. UPR Rio Piedras is a fairly large public school situated in San Juan, . It awarded 2 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras are $3,620, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UPR Rio Piedras

#6

Hamline University

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Hamline University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 1 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Hamline are $11,577, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Hamline Public Administration & Social Service Report

University of Illinois at Springfield came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Illinois at Springfield is located in Springfield, Illinois and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Springfield are $16,757.

Full University of Illinois at Springfield Public Administration & Social Service Report

#8

Niagara University

Niagara University, New York

Niagara University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. Niagara University is a small school located in Niagara University, New York that handed out 13 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Niagara are $14,893.

Full Niagara University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#9

University of St Thomas Minnesota

Saint Paul, Minnesota
#20 in overall quality

University of St Thomas Minnesota ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 15 degrees to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

UST MN also took the #20 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UST MN are $24,814, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UST MN

Top 25% in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Public Administration & Social Service Report

#18 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large public school situated in Madison, Wisconsin. It awarded 4 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#12

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

With a ranking of #12, Loyola University Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. Loyola University Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Loyola Chicago are $19,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Loyola University Chicago Public Administration & Social Service Report

#13

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina

With a ranking of #13, Clemson University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. Clemson is a large public school situated in Clemson, South Carolina. It awarded 3 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson University are $23,246, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Clemson University

#14

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania, this medium-sized public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania are $16,300.

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

#15

University of North Texas

Denton, Texas

University of North Texas came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of North Texas is a large public school situated in Denton, Texas. It awarded 15 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UNT are $15,618.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of North Texas

#16

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Millersville are $16,350, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Millersville Public Administration & Social Service Report

University of Nebraska at Omaha came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of Nebraska at Omaha is a public institution located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nebraska at Omaha are $16,374.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at UNOMAHA

#18

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. U of U is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 5 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Utah are $24,695.

Full University of Utah Public Administration & Social Service Report

#19

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#17 in overall quality

Virginia Tech came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 5 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547.

Full Virginia Tech Public Administration & Social Service Report

#20

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#5 in overall quality

Cornell University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Cornell

#21

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Simmons are $21,698, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Simmons Public Administration & Social Service Report

#22

University of La Verne

La Verne, California

University of La Verne came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. University of La Verne is a medium-sized school located in La Verne, California that handed out 7 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of La Verne are $14,526.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of La Verne

#23

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at KU are $25,007, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of Kansas

#24

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

University of Houston came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking. UH is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689.

Full UH Public Administration & Social Service Report

#25

University of Southern Maine

Portland, Maine

University of Southern Maine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #25. This medium-sized school is located in Portland, Maine, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Southern Maine are $22,308, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at University of Southern Maine

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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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