2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Ohio
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 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 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
Sinclair Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Ohio University Lancaster Campus one of the best values for public administration & social service. Ohio University Lancaster Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $6,362 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $23,570 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ohio University Lancaster Campus earn a median of $37,990 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 Edison State Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Piqua, Edison State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,499, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,406. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Edison State Community College generally make around $43,481. That is a strong return on a $15,406 median debt.
Ohio University Southern Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Ironton, Ohio University Southern Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,362, while out-of-state students pay about $9,444. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,570. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,990. That is a strong return on a $23,570 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Akron Wayne College one of the best values for public administration & social service. University Of Akron Wayne College is a small public school located in the rural area of Orrville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,723, while out-of-state students pay about $15,403. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,600 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Owens Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,502. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $19,857. 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.
Central Ohio Technical College earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $8,016. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,619 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Central Ohio Technical College earn a median of $47,021 early in their careers. Set against $14,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marietta. 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. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,305. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #10 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $25,177 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $42,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clark State Community College landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Clark State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,393, with out-of-state students paying around $8,049. Students borrow a median of $25,631 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Clark State Community College generally make around $29,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Youngstown State University landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Youngstown, Youngstown State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,926 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,286. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $33,422 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Youngstown State University earn a median of $43,426 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,422 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Ohio State University Marion Campus came in at #13 for value in public administration & social service this year. Ohio State University Marion Campus is a small public school located in the town of Marion. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $26,970 median debt.
Central State University placed #14 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the rural area of Wilberforce, Central State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,058, while out-of-state students pay about $10,058. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $27,388. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Kent State University At Salem ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Kent State University At Salem is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $8,211, with out-of-state students paying around $17,969. Students borrow a median of $29,856 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Kent State University At Salem generally make around $38,274. That is a strong return on a $29,856 median debt.
Cleveland State University earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cleveland State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,982, with out-of-state students paying around $18,502. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $33,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cleveland State University generally make around $42,180. Set against $33,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,708. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,196. Set against $27,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $19,172. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $46,234. That is a strong return on a $19,172 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus landed the #19 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,365 early in their careers. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Blue Ash, University Of Cincinnati Blue Ash College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,106 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,904. 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 Blue Ash College generally make around $42,936. That is a strong return on a $24,075 median debt.
Ohio State University Newark Campus landed the #21 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Ohio State University Newark Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,488, with out-of-state students paying around $36,266. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,970. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ohio State University Newark Campus earn a median of $38,739 early in their careers. Set against $26,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Toledo ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of Toledo is a large public school located in the city of Toledo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,157, compared with $21,517 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,856. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $66,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #24 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,570. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $45,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio Christian University landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the rural area of Circleville, Ohio Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $19,190. Students borrow a median of $29,940 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio Christian University admits about 38% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 39 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
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
