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2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California

37 Ranked Colleges
9,390 Degrees Awarded
$11,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 98,583 people earned their degree in public administration & social service, making the major the 14th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, public administration & social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $40,520 and had an average of $27,642 in loans still to pay off.

Across California, there were 9,390 public administration & social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $50,986 and $22,122 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking, we looked at 37 colleges that offer a degree in public administration & social service. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent public administration & social service programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration & social service program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 in California” list to help you make the college decision.

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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for california public administration & social service students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in California

1

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration & social service degrees to 311 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $16,032 for california public administration & social service students per year to attend UC Berkeley.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of California - Berkeley

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fresno. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 205 ’s public administration & social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Fresno State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $6,230 for California Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Fresno

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 432 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration & social service students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students list, CSULB has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $10,054 for California Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at CSULB

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Northridge. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. California State University - Northridge is a large public school situated in Northridge, California. It awarded 457 ’s public administration & social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students list, CSUN has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for california public administration & social service students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 CSUN

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 223 ’s public administration & social service degrees to qualified students.

UCLA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $15,023 for California Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend UCLA.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at University of California - Los Angeles

6

California State University - Sacramento came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking. California State University - Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 336 ’s public administration & social service degrees to qualified students.

Sac State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. It costs about $11,178 for california public administration & social service students per year to attend Sac State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Sac State Public Administration & Social Service Report

7

California State University - San Bernardino ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. CSUSB is a public institution located in San Bernardino, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 236 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CSUSB, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. It costs about $8,107 for california public administration & social service students per year to attend California State University - San Bernardino.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at CSUSB

8
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #8, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 375 ’s public administration & social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students list, SDSU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for california public administration & social service students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at SDSU

9
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking. San Jose, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration & social service degrees to 227 students in 2020-2021.

San Jose State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Jose State University is $16,542 for california public administration & social service students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at San Jose State University

10

California State University - Fullerton ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 469 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration & social service students in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for california public administration & social service students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 Cal State Fullerton

11

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #11 spot on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 347 ’s public administration & social service degrees to qualified students.

Cal State LA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal State LA is $3,302 for california public administration & social service students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Public Administration & Social Service Report

12

California State University - Monterey Bay landed the #12 spot on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking. Seaside, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s public administration & social service degrees to 157 students in 2020-2021.

CSUMB also took the #25 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Monterey Bay is $13,597 for california public administration & social service students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Monterey Bay

13
Fresno City College crest
Fresno City College
Fresno, California

Fresno City College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Fresno, California, and it awarded 60 ’s public administration & social service degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Fresno City College is $2,584 for california public administration & social service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Fresno City College

14

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Chico did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. Chico State is located in Chico, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 194 ’s public administration & social service degrees to qualified students.

Chico State also took the #19 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Chico State is $16,218 for California Public Administration & Social Service students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 California State University - Chico

15

California State University - East Bay came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking. California State University - East Bay is a fairly large public school situated in Hayward, California. It awarded 143 ’s public administration & social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State East Bay also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #20. The yearly cost to attend Cal State East Bay is $13,298 for California Public Administration & Social Service students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 California State University - East Bay

16
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. Humboldt State University is a public institution located in Arcata, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 113 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Humboldt State University also took the #24 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $14,956 for california public administration & social service students.

Full Humboldt State University Public Administration & Social Service Report

17
SFSU crest
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California

With a ranking of #17, San Francisco State University did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. This large school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 95 ’s public administration & social service degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students list, SFSU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Francisco State University is $14,459 for California Public Administration & Social Service students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at SFSU

18
Cal Baptist crest
California Baptist University
Riverside, California

California Baptist University landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking. Cal Baptist is located in Riverside, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 171 ’s public administration & social service degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our california public administration & social service students list, Cal Baptist has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Baptist University is $26,719 for California Public Administration & Social Service students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. California State University - Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 134 ’s public administration & social service degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Bakersfield is $7,454 for california public administration & social service students.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at CSUB

20
Golden Gate University - San Francisco crest
Golden Gate University - San Francisco
San Francisco, California

Golden Gate University - San Francisco came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking. Golden Gate University - San Francisco is a small school located in San Francisco, California that handed out 30 ’s public administration & social service degrees in 2020-2021.

Golden Gate University - San Francisco did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Golden Gate University - San Francisco

21

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 107 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for california public administration & social service students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Public Administration & Social Service Report

22

With a ranking of #22, The University of Arizona Global Campus did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California list. UAGC is located in San Diego, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 147 ’s public administration & social service degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $20,987 for California Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend UAGC.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at UAGC

23
National University crest
National University
La Jolla, California

National University landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking. National University is located in La Jolla, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 108 ’s public administration & social service degrees to qualified students.

National University also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for National University is $20,722 for california public administration & social service students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at National University

24
San Diego City College crest
San Diego City College
San Diego, California

San Diego City College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this fairly large public school awarded 101 diplomas to qualified ’s public administration & social service students in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for San Diego City College is $5,723 for California Public Administration & Social Service students.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at San Diego City College

25

California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California ranking, coming in at #25. This fairly large school is located in Carson, California, and it awarded 338 ’s public administration & social service degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,026 for California Public Administration & Social Service students per year to attend CSUDH.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at California State University - Dominguez Hills

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