2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Far Western Region
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
Fresno City College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,638. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Set against $6,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Dominguez Hills earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. In-state tuition and fees average $7,454, while out-of-state students pay about $20,054. Students borrow a median of $18,820 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Dominguez Hills earn a median of $61,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $52,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $12,004. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. That is a strong return on a $11,306 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #5. San Diego City College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Set against $9,514 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Santa Ana College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Ana. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moreno Valley College placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,119 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Moreno Valley College earn a median of $45,515 early in their careers. Set against $14,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,273 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $54,588. Set against $13,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Shasta College came in at #9 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,853. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Shasta College generally make around $50,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Folsom Lake College placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Folsom Lake College is a large public school located in the city of Folsom. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,568.
California State University San Bernardino earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,159 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $51,852. Set against $13,159 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus placed #12 among the best values for public administration & social service. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $14,813. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Stanislaus earn a median of $65,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa. Students from in state pay about $1,318 in tuition and fees, 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.
College Of The Redwoods earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Eureka, College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,196, compared with $8,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $98,703. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Solano Community College came in at #15 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Solano Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, compared with $9,772 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Bakersfield ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,087, compared with $20,687 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,009 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno came in at #17 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Fresno generally make around $50,225. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Cypress College placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. Cypress College is a very large public school located in the city of Cypress. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,533 ten years after entry.
American River College placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Allan Hancock College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,892. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,786.
Long Beach City College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,975. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $64,148. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Bakersfield College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,419. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $57,171. That is a strong return on a $11,276 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Cuyamaca College earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Cuyamaca College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,346, compared with $11,314 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $32,435 ten years out.
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:
Narrow Public Administration & Social Service Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 194 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
