2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Michigan
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 26 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Michigan
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
Macomb Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Michigan. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washtenaw Community College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,500. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, 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. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at University Of Michigan Flint, which ranked #5. 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $47,236 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Ferris State University earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,778. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,333. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oakland University placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Oakland University is a large public school located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,167, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,974. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Jackson Community College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the rural area of Jackson, Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $16,960 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Saginaw Valley State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,930 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,450 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,515. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Saginaw Valley State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $57,140. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Wayne State University landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,159, compared with $34,650 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,381. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of $45,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
Michigan Technological University landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,800. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Andrews University earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Berrien Springs, Andrews University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,056. Students borrow a median of $26,314 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Andrews University generally make around $45,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Northern Michigan University earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $24,301 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $36,513 early in their careers. Set against $24,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
Western Michigan University earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $46,278. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
Grace Bible College came in at #16 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Wyoming, Grace Bible College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,190. Students borrow a median of $28,648 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,205. Set against $28,648 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Michigan University came in at #17 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,990. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,111 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $47,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,111 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Grand Valley State University earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,349. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $44,324 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Central Michigan University earned the #19 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,480. Students borrow a median of $27,452 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Siena Heights University placed #20 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,778. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,913. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $34,114. That is a strong return on a $29,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Madonna University came in at #21 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Livonia, Madonna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,440. Students borrow a median of $25,597 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,829. That is a strong return on a $25,597 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Spring Arbor University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Spring Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,014. Students borrow a median of $29,893 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $47,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,893 median debt. Spring Arbor University admits about 52% of applicants.
Michigan State University came in at #23 for value in public administration & social service this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $26,285 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,898. Set against $26,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Cornerstone University landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,000. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,501. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Calvin College earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. 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 $31,584. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 26 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
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
