2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in District of Columbia

1

Gallaudet University
Washington, DC

Leading the list is Gallaudet University, our #1 best value for public administration & social service in District of Columbia. Located in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,654. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,017. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $34,592. Set against $23,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

2

University Of The District Of Columbia
Washington, DC

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of The District Of Columbia earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. Students from in state pay about $5,662 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Students borrow a median of $49,652 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,973. That is a strong return on a $49,652 median debt.

3

Catholic University Of America
Washington, DC

Catholic University Of America came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Catholic University Of America is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $58,378. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $59,489. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

4

Strayer University Global Region
Washington, DC

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Strayer University Global Region, which ranked #4. Strayer University Global Region is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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

George Washington University
Washington, DC

George Washington University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,910. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $76,884. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.

6

Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Georgetown University earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,089 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $83,403. Set against $16,483 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 13%.

7

American University
Washington, DC

American University landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,771. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,139. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $72,223. That is a strong return on a $24,139 median debt. American University admits about 62% of applicants.

8

Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,810. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $57,362. Set against $25,498 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 41% of applicants are accepted.