[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 492 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,608 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $60,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $79,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $65,045. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $13,895 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $66,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,895 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University San Bernardino earned it the #5 place for public administration & social service. California State University San Bernardino is a very large public school located in the city of San Bernardino. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,159. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $65,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,690 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $63,051. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Princeton University placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,527 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $85,111. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $60,073. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Stanislaus placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. California State University Stanislaus is a large public school located in the suburb of Turlock. Students from in state pay about $8,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,842 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,813 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $66,806. Set against $14,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Northridge earned the #10 position for value in public administration & social service this year. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $70,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
California State University Bakersfield placed #11 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Bakersfield, California State University Bakersfield is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,087, with out-of-state students paying around $20,687. Median earnings reach $59,009 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,341, compared with $19,941 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $64,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Utah Valley University landed the #13 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,066. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $59,322. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $16,526 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #16 for value in public administration & social service this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $66,969. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Dominguez Hills ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Carson, California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,454, compared with $20,054 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,820 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $69,480. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Cuny York College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,500. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $60,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
California State University Long Beach ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $66,282. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
California State University East Bay ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. California State University East Bay is a large public school located in the suburb of Hayward. Students from in state pay about $7,583 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,183 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,073. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University East Bay earn a median of $82,776 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University Shreveport placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,327 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $28,907. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Louisiana State University Shreveport generally make around $45,300. Set against $28,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #22 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,595, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,426. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $58,829. That is a strong return on a $25,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University San Marcos ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, California State University San Marcos is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,682 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,527. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University San Marcos earn a median of $62,668 early in their careers. Set against $17,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Rhode Island College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,100. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rhode Island College generally make around $54,029. That is a strong return on a $24,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration & social service:
This list is compiled 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 · 492 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 492 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).
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
