2026 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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in New York. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,407 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,608 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,250. 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.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice, which ranked #3. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,895. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $57,673. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,690. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $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 Bronx Community College, which ranked #5. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,786 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $36,338. That is a strong return on a $6,786 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $7,860 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $33,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $42,839 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College earned the #9 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $52,381 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, 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.
Nassau Community College landed the #12 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,569. 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.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. 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. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $22,496.
Cuny Medgar Evers College landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,142. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $44,015 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,142 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Ulster County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Students borrow a median of $9,206 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,424. That is a strong return on a $9,206 median debt.
Orange County Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,152 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $43,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Erie Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Onondaga Community College placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,019 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $27,366. Set against $12,019 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.
Monroe Community College earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $26,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Niagara County Community College earned the #22 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,074. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dutchess Community College landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $24,622 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,324 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,750. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $25,855. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Suny Westchester Community College generally make around $57,520. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 100 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 43 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.
