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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in Pennsylvania

18 Ranked Colleges
2,045 Degrees Awarded
$24,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master's in Pennsylvania

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Public Administration & Social Service is the 14th most popular major in the country with 97,666 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, public administration and social service graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $39,142 and had an average of $32,304 in loans still to pay off.

Across Pennsylvania, there were 3,788 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,131 and $32,926 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 2,045 public administration and social service graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in public administration and social service. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great public administration and social service programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the public administration and social service program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Public Administration & Social Service Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania.

Top 18 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Public Administration & Social Service in Pennsylvania

#1

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania list. WCUPA is a fairly large school located in West Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 170 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

WCUPA also took the #7 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WCUPA are $16,758.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

#2

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania
#10 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, this small public school awarded 183 degrees to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Edinboro not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Edinboro are $17,835, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Edinboro Public Administration & Social Service Report

#3

Lincoln University

Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Lincoln University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania list. Lincoln University, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our pennsylvania master’s degree public administration & social service students list, Lincoln has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Lincoln University are $18,942.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Lincoln

#4

Villanova University

Villanova, Pennsylvania
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania that were part of this year’s ranking, Villanova University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 76 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Villanova not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Villanova University are $20,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Villanova University

#5

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Millersville, Pennsylvania
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Millersville University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania. Millersville University of Pennsylvania is located in Millersville, Pennsylvania and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 65 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Millersville, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Millersville are $16,350.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Millersville University of Pennsylvania

#6

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Kutztown, Pennsylvania
#12 in overall quality

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Kutztown, Pennsylvania is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 50 students in 2019-2020.

Kutztown University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kutztown University are $16,300.

Full Kutztown University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#7

Marywood University

Scranton, Pennsylvania
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Marywood University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania list. Located in Scranton, Pennsylvania, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 98 diplomas to qualified masters’s public administration and social service students in 2019-2020.

Marywood also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Marywood are $11,438.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Marywood University

#8

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
#14 in overall quality

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized school located in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania that handed out 42 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Ship not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania are $16,830, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

#4 in overall quality

University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #9. Pitt is a large school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 305 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Pitt also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at Pitt are $40,836, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Public Administration & Social Service Report

#10

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Temple University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 149 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

Temple did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Temple University are $24,236.

Full Temple University Public Administration & Social Service Report

#11

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania
#17 in overall quality

California University of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania ranking. California University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in California, Pennsylvania. It awarded 34 masters’s public administration and social service degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal U, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cal U are $18,508.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at California University of Pennsylvania

#12

Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Chestnut Hill College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

CHC also took the #13 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Chestnut Hill College are $17,625, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at CHC

#13

Alvernia University

Reading, Pennsylvania
#16 in overall quality

Alvernia University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Reading, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Alvernia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Alvernia University are $15,666, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Alvernia

#14

Widener University

Chester, Pennsylvania
#6 in overall quality

Widener University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania ranking. Widener University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chester, Pennsylvania. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 298 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Widener also took the #6 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Widener are $24,810, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Widener University

#15

Gannon University

Erie, Pennsylvania
#18 in overall quality

Gannon University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania list. Erie, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Gannon did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Gannon University are $20,660, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Public Administration & Social Service at Gannon

#16

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#2 in overall quality

University of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 255 students in 2019-2020.

UPenn also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Pennsylvania Public Administration & Social Service Report

#17

Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
#1 in overall quality

Carnegie Mellon University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania ranking, coming in at #17. Carnegie Mellon University is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 134 masters’s public administration and social service degrees to qualified students.

Carnegie Mellon also made our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at Carnegie Mellon University are $47,326, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Carnegie Mellon Public Administration & Social Service Report

#18

Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Bryn Mawr College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools for a Master’s in Pennsylvania list. Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s public administration and social service degrees to 84 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bryn Mawr, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Public Administration & Social Service Master’s Degree Schools in Pennsylvania” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Bryn Mawr College are $45,240.

Read full report on Public Administration & Social Service at Bryn Mawr

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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