2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois
[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 55 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois
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
Joliet Junior College tops our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
University Of Illinois At Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $12,557, compared with $20,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,810 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $57,643. Set against $24,810 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Chicago earned it the #3 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, compared with $32,009 for out-of-state students. 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 $48,470 early in their careers. Set against $17,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. 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. That is a strong return on a $29,850 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for public administration & social service. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $62,379. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Governors State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of University Park, Governors State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,004 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $33,983. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Governors State University earn a median of $48,182 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Governors State University admits about 48% of applicants.
Northeastern Illinois University came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,383, with out-of-state students paying around $22,726. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,588. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Northeastern Illinois University admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,709. That is a strong return on a $19,344 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Chicago State University landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Chicago State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,754, while out-of-state students pay about $12,757. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $43,322. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Chicago State University generally make around $48,031. Set against $43,322 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,092. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $45,657 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Dominican University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,828 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
National Louis University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Chicago, National Louis University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,245. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,242 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of National Louis University earn a median of $37,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Francis placed #13 among the best values for public administration & social service. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. 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. University Of St Francis admits about 65% of applicants.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a large public school located in the town of Carbondale. In-state tuition and fees average $13,334. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,356. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Chicago ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $62,582. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Lewis University landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Romeoville, Lewis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,200. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Saint Augustine College landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Saint Augustine College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,688. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $4,974. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $34,201. That is a strong return on a $4,974 median debt.
Rasmussen College Illinois came in at #18 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen College Illinois is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,581. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $36,597. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Rasmussen College Illinois earn a median of $36,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aurora University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Aurora, Aurora University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,170 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Aurora University earn a median of $44,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Illinois State University earned the #20 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #21 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $71,315. That is a strong return on a $26,774 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Olivet Nazarene University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Olivet Nazarene University generally make around $31,720. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Olivet Nazarene University admits about 56% of applicants.
Bradley University placed #23 among the best values for public administration & social service. 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Bradley University earn a median of $36,017 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Addison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,536. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn a median of $101,006 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
Northwestern University placed #25 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,608 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $61,280. That is a strong return on a $18,608 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration & social service this year:
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 · 55 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
