2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Ohio
[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.
College Factual analyzed 77 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Ohio
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
North Central State College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Ohio. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. 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. Set against $12,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ohio University Southern Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ohio University Southern Campus earn a median of $37,990 early in their careers. Set against $23,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio University Zanesville Campus earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Zanesville, Ohio University Zanesville Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,444 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,570. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Ohio University Chillicothe Campus one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Chillicothe, Ohio University Chillicothe Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $23,570 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,990. Set against $23,570 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public school located in the suburb of Blue Ash. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $24,075 median debt.
James A Rhodes State College placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $9,120 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,070. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,074. Set against $17,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeland Community College came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,941. Set against $19,857 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark State Community College landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,393, while out-of-state students pay about $8,049. Students borrow a median of $25,631 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $29,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Batavia, University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,639, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,075. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $39,106. Set against $24,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $19,383 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,177 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,724. Set against $25,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College landed the #13 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Students borrow a median of $16,291 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Akron Wayne College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Orrville, University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,723, with out-of-state students paying around $15,403. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $21,669. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Akron Wayne College generally make around $36,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Youngstown State University came in at #15 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,926, with out-of-state students paying around $10,286. Students borrow a median of $33,422 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Youngstown State University generally make around $43,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio State University Marion Campus earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Marion, Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,970 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ohio State University Marion Campus generally make around $38,739. Set against $26,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ohio State University Lima Campus landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the rural area of Lima, Ohio State University Lima Campus is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Students borrow a median of $26,970 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,739. Set against $26,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #18 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $45,381. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Eastern Gateway Community College earned the #19 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Eastern Gateway Community College is a large public school located in the city of Steubenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,225, compared with $6,071 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,642 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,052. Set against $10,642 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,708 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of $42,196 early in their careers. Set against $27,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Newark Campus placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Newark, Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, while out-of-state students pay about $36,266. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,970. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ohio State University Newark Campus generally make around $38,739. That is a strong return on a $26,970 median debt.
Cleveland State University came in at #22 for value in public administration & social service this year. Cleveland State University is a large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $12,982 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $33,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,273. Set against $33,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Students borrow a median of $19,172 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $46,359. Set against $19,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Ursuline College came in at #24 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Pepper Pike, Ursuline College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,990. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $35,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ursuline College earn a median of $80,267 early in their careers. Set against $35,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Toledo earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Toledo, University Of Toledo is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Toledo earn a median of $43,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration & social service:
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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
