2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in New Jersey
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in New Jersey
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
Princeton University earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in New Jersey. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,527. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $79,371. Set against $10,527 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Camden County College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $24,616. Set against $9,219 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Raritan Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,668. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,248. Set against $9,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Essex County College, which ranked #4. Essex County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,472. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Union County College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,942. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,168. That is a strong return on a $10,942 median debt.
Passaic County Community College came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Paterson. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,581. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson County Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Hudson County Community College is a large public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,384, compared with $9,248 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,671 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Hudson County Community College earn a median of $35,909 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brookdale Community College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cumberland County College landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Vineland, Cumberland County College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Students borrow a median of $15,803 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,250. Set against $15,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #10 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,770. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $66,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,770 median debt. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Kean University earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $50,224. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Montclair State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,925. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Ramapo College Of New Jersey earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Ramapo College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Mahwah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,777, with out-of-state students paying around $27,708. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,491. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ramapo College Of New Jersey generally make around $40,113. That is a strong return on a $24,491 median debt. Ramapo College Of New Jersey admits about 71% of applicants.
Rutgers University Camden landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. Students from in state pay about $17,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $53,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service value this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Students borrow a median of $25,644 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $46,981. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. Students from in state pay about $17,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,762. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,118 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Rutgers University Newark earn a median of $53,988 early in their careers. Set against $25,118 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University Newark admits about 71% of applicants.
Georgian Court University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Georgian Court University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lakewood. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,110. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $38,530. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgian Court University admits about 79% of applicants.
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey generally make around $44,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,031. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #20 among the best values for public administration & social service. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,057. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $66,217. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Monmouth University came in at #21 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of West Long Branch, Monmouth University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,552. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,318. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Seton Hall University earned the #22 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of South Orange, Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,170. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,721. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $50,157 early in their careers. Set against $25,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
