2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 148 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 the Middle Atlantic Region
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
For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. 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. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,407. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,250. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $58,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,690 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,676. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,895. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $57,673 early in their careers. Set against $13,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Princeton University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,527 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $79,371 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cuny Bronx Community College placed #6 among the best values for public administration & social service. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,786 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $36,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $7,860. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $33,854 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,860 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,839. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College earned the #10 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny York College generally make around $52,381. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. 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. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,172. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College placed #12 among the best values for public administration & social service. Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,194, while out-of-state students pay about $8,074. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Stella And Charles Guttman Community College generally make around $22,496.
Orange County Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,152 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Students borrow a median of $17,142 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $43,854 early in their careers. Set against $17,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Union County College landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Cranford, Union County College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,942. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Union County College generally make around $38,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Camden County College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,219 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $24,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College came in at #17 for value in public administration & social service this year. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,584. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,668. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Raritan Valley Community College earn a median of $47,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,569 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Nassau Community College earn a median of $27,581 early in their careers. Set against $13,569 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Westmoreland County Community College landed the #19 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Students borrow a median of $11,925 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $32,887. Set against $11,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $12,458 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $37,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College placed #22 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,949. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Prince Georges Community College earn a median of $56,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,949 median debt.
Passaic County Community College placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, while out-of-state students pay about $10,560. Students borrow a median of $9,581 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College came in at #25 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
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:
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Notes and References
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 · 148 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 148 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.
