2026 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 239 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 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
Our analysis ranked Washtenaw Community College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in the Great Lakes Region. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,500. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,332. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes North Central State College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,236. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,862. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Joliet Junior College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,876 in student loans. 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.
Sinclair Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,865. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Kellogg Community College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,118, while out-of-state students pay about $8,282. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $20,432 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Southern Campus placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indiana University South Bend placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Indiana University South Bend is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Bend. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,424, while out-of-state students pay about $22,811. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,263. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Indiana University South Bend generally make around $43,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University South Bend admits about 84% of applicants.
Ohio University Zanesville Campus earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,570 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ohio University Zanesville Campus generally make around $37,990. Set against $23,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,106, compared with $15,904 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,075 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Illinois At Springfield earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,139. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,810. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $57,643 early in their careers. Set against $24,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Springfield admits about 86% of applicants.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $20,736 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $47,293. Set against $20,736 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
James A Rhodes State College landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,070 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $47,074. That is a strong return on a $17,070 median debt.
Ohio University Chillicothe Campus placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, with out-of-state students paying around $9,444. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,570. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ohio University Chillicothe Campus generally make around $37,990. Set against $23,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earned the #17 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,075 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Cincinnati Clermont College earn a median of $39,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. Owens Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Perrysburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $19,383. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Owens Community College generally make around $45,785. That is a strong return on a $19,383 median debt.
Indiana University Northwest placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Indiana University Northwest is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gary. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,424, with out-of-state students paying around $22,811. Students borrow a median of $30,924 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,210. That is a strong return on a $30,924 median debt. Indiana University Northwest admits about 73% of applicants.
Lakeland Community College earned the #20 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirtland. Students from in state pay about $3,872 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Lakeland Community College earn a median of $51,941 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,976. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College placed #22 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,393 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $29,981. That is a strong return on a $25,631 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,709 median debt.
Purdue University Northwest landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Purdue University Northwest is a large public school located in the suburb of Hammond. In-state tuition and fees average $8,357, compared with $15,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,083. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Purdue University Northwest generally make around $51,424. Set against $25,083 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $48,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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), 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 · 239 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 85 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.
