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2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in District of Columbia

8 Colleges in the United States
$29,079 Avg Student Debt
$66,935 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Badge [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.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in District of Columbia

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

1

University Of The District Of Columbia tops our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $49,652. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of The District Of Columbia earn a median of $45,973 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2
Gallaudet University crest
Gallaudet University
Washington, DC

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Gallaudet University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $19,654 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,017 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Gallaudet University generally make around $34,592. Set against $23,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

3

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Catholic University Of America, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Washington, Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Catholic University Of America earn a median of $59,489 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

4

Strayer University Global Region is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, Strayer University Global Region is a large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $45,932. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,512. That is a strong return on a $45,932 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Washington University earned it the #5 place for public administration & social service. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,910. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $76,788. That is a strong return on a $22,910 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.

6
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,483. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Georgetown University generally make around $83,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

7
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University earned the #7 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,771. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,139 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $72,330. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

8
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $35,810. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,498. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Howard University earn a median of $57,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 41%.

View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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