2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 263 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 the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration & social service, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, 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 $51,407. Set against $9,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% 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 #3 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,895 in student loans. 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. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,690 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $52,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Students borrow a median of $7,860 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $33,854. That is a strong return on a $7,860 median debt.
Cuny Bronx Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $6,786. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $36,338. Set against $6,786 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $42,839. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College placed #8 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. 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.
Camden County College landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,416. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,219. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $24,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Students borrow a median of $13,569 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,581. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny City College landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $57,399. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $45,172. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Union County College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $9,500. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,168. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,925. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $32,887. Set against $11,925 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny York College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,381. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $44,015 early in their careers. Set against $17,142 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,194, compared with $8,074 for out-of-state students. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $22,496.
Orange County Community College earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $14,152. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,442. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,270, with out-of-state students paying around $10,140. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,458 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,374. That is a strong return on a $12,458 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the rural area of Branchburg, Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,584 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,668. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Raritan Valley Community College generally make around $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Burlington County College placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Mount Laurel, Burlington County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,495. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,488. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Burlington County College earn a median of $52,240 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Essex County College came in at #22 for value in public administration & social service this year. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,472. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $37,915. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Cumberland County College placed #23 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,160, while out-of-state students pay about $6,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,803 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cumberland County College earn a median of $37,250 early in their careers. Set against $15,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Princeton University landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,688. Students borrow a median of $10,527 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $79,371 early in their careers. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry placed #25 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,240 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $30,923. That is a strong return on a $9,240 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration & social service value ranking:
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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 · 263 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 88 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.
