2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 127 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Joliet Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #3 place for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,500. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,876. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $36,247 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,876 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,120, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Students borrow a median of $15,865 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $7,727. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Purdue University Northwest placed #8 among the best values for public administration & social service. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. Students from in state pay about $8,357 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,504. Students borrow a median of $25,083 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $51,424. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Northwest admits about 72% of applicants.
Ohio University Lancaster Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Lancaster, Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,570. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of $37,990 early in their careers. Set against $23,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edison State Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,499, while out-of-state students pay about $8,346. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,406. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Edison State Community College earn a median of $43,481 early in their careers. Set against $15,406 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oakland University came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service this year. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,167, compared with $24,735 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Oakland University earn a median of $39,974 early in their careers. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Ferris State University placed #12 among the best values for public administration & social service. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,750. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $45,333. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #13 for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $48,426 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Northwest came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Gary, Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $30,924. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,887. That is a strong return on a $30,924 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Indiana University South Bend came in at #15 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of South Bend, Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,424, compared with $22,811 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,263 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Indiana University South Bend earn a median of $43,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Ohio University Southern Campus landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Students borrow a median of $23,570 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,990. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt.
University Of Akron Wayne College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,723, while out-of-state students pay about $15,403. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $46,600. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Michigan Flint earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,236, while out-of-state students pay about $27,790. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $38,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Michigan Flint generally make around $47,236. That is a strong return on a $38,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,810. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $55,234. That is a strong return on a $24,810 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Owens Community College landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,785. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #21 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,736. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,249. Set against $20,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Lakeland Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $19,857. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washington State Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, compared with $4,152 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $16,291 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College earned the #24 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,960. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Ohio Technical College landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $8,016. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $14,619. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Central Ohio Technical College generally make around $47,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 127 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 127 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.
