2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois
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
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in Illinois. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College came in at #2 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. 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 University Of Illinois At Springfield, which ranked #3. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,557, while out-of-state students pay about $20,139. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,810 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Illinois At Springfield earn a median of $55,234 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.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $48,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Southwestern Illinois College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,388 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $44,345 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College placed #6 among the best values for public administration & social service. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $48,264. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dominican University came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,605. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Students borrow a median of $29,850 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $39,641 early in their careers. Set against $29,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,004. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $33,983. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $48,182. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
National Louis University came in at #10 for value in public administration & social service this year. National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $13,245 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from National Louis University generally make around $37,205. Set against $29,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. National Louis University admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,344 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $43,709. That is a strong return on a $19,344 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Northern Illinois University came in at #12 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $62,486 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
University Of Chicago placed #13 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,492. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $61,112. That is a strong return on a $17,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of St Francis came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Joliet, University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $38,110. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of St Francis generally make around $47,909. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern Illinois University earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,383, while out-of-state students pay about $22,726. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,588. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Chicago State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $43,322. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Chicago State University earn a median of $48,031 early in their careers. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Carbondale generally make around $40,356. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southern Illinois University Carbondale admits about 87% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $52,202 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Illinois Institute Of Technology admits about 55% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #19 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,092. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
Lewis University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Romeoville. In-state tuition and fees average $39,200. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Aurora University placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aurora. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,170. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Aurora University admits about 81% of applicants.
Trinity Christian College came in at #22 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Palos Heights, Trinity Christian College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,605. Students borrow a median of $28,722 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Trinity Christian College earn a median of $48,400 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,722 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Illinois State University earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,297. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #24 for value in public administration & social service this year. Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bourbonnais. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,900. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $31,720. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
Bradley University landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,160. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bradley University generally make around $36,017. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Rest of the Top 29 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), 2027 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
