2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Oregon
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
Clackamas Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Oregon. Located in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,345, while out-of-state students pay about $14,265. Students borrow a median of $13,915 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Clackamas Community College generally make around $31,280. Set against $13,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rogue Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Grants Pass, Rogue Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,248. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rogue Community College generally make around $51,243. Set against $15,248 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Portland Community College earned it the #3 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Students borrow a median of $20,648 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $49,580 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,648 median debt.
Umpqua Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Umpqua Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roseburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,104. Students borrow a median of $13,058 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Umpqua Community College generally make around $58,219. 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 Portland State University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $25,426 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $51,056 early in their careers. Set against $25,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Warner Pacific College earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Warner Pacific College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $22,220. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $41,254. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,176. That is a strong return on a $41,254 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Oregon State University came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $60,750 early in their careers. Set against $24,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $16,475 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.
George Fox University placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Newberg, George Fox University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,320. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of George Fox University earn a median of $42,527 early in their careers. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. George Fox University admits about 94% of applicants.
Pacific University landed the #10 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Forest Grove, Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $56,374 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,170. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Pacific University earn a median of $51,507 early in their careers. Set against $26,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pacific University admits about 90% of applicants.
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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
