2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 138 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in California
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
Our analysis ranked Fresno City College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in California. Set in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. That is a strong return on a $6,334 median debt.
California State University Dominguez Hills is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,454 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $61,885. Set against $18,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Cerritos College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,306 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at San Diego City College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at California State University Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
Moreno Valley College earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Moreno Valley, Moreno Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,119 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,515. Set against $14,119 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santa Ana College placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Santa Ana College earn a median of $39,633 early in their careers. Set against $11,196 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shasta College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,275 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $50,330. Set against $12,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Folsom Lake College came in at #9 for value in public administration & social service this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Median earnings reach $42,568 ten years out.
College Of The Redwoods ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. College Of The Redwoods is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Eureka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,196, with out-of-state students paying around $8,852. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from College Of The Redwoods generally make around $98,703. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Fullerton ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,273. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Solano Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Solano Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,172, while out-of-state students pay about $9,772. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,500. 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 San Bernardino came in at #13 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,088, while out-of-state students pay about $20,688. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,159. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $51,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Stanislaus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Turlock, California State University Stanislaus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, with out-of-state students paying around $20,842. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #15 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,318, with out-of-state students paying around $11,308. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $14,692. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Set against $14,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cypress College landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Cypress, Cypress College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,150, with out-of-state students paying around $12,379. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,533.
Allan Hancock College earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $9,892. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,786 ten years after entry.
California State University Bakersfield placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 94%.
California State University Fresno landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. 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.
Long Beach City College placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
Bakersfield College landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Bakersfield College is a very large public school located in the city of Bakersfield. In-state tuition and fees average $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge landed the #23 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. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,975. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $64,148. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $11,276 to complete the public administration & social service program here. 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. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Cuyamaca College landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,314. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,435 ten years after entry.
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:
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 138 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
