2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in New York
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 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 New York
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
Cuny Hunter College tops our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,608. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. Set against $9,608 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. 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. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,676. That is a strong return on a $12,690 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #4. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,895. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $57,673. Set against $13,895 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Bronx Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $6,786. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $36,338. Set against $6,786 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $7,860 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $33,854. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #7 on our 2027 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. 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. 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. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,667. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Cuny York College placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $52,381 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $45,172 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College placed #11 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #12 among the best values for public administration & social service. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Orange County Community College earned the #13 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, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,152 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $43,442. That is a strong return on a $14,152 median debt.
Nassau Community College landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,569 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $27,581. That is a strong return on a $13,569 median debt.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,925. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $32,887 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,984 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $26,571. Set against $17,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Erie Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $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.
Onondaga Community College placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,019 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $27,366. Set against $12,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College came in at #19 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $25,855. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Genesee Community College placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,250. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Genesee Community College earn a median of $40,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Empire State College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,339 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,624. That is a strong return on a $25,339 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo came in at #23 for value in public administration & social service this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $39,695. Set against $23,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Broome Community College earned the #24 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $14,288. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,830. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Broome Community College generally make around $41,560. Set against $16,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dutchess Community College landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,670, with out-of-state students paying around $10,670. Students borrow a median of $14,324 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Dutchess Community College generally make around $24,622. Set against $14,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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:
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
