2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Bucks County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,068 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Westmoreland County Community College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Reading Area Community College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,480, with out-of-state students paying around $12,510. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $11,725. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,248. That is a strong return on a $11,725 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Northampton County Area Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Bethlehem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $15,270. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Philadelphia placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,632, compared with $12,744 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,242. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $24,893. That is a strong return on a $18,242 median debt.
Pennsylvania Western University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Peirce College placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Peirce College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,060. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $44,247. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Peirce College generally make around $53,071. Set against $44,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York College Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,537. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $53,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania placed #11 among the best values for public administration & social service. Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public school located in the suburb of Lincoln University. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,512, with out-of-state students paying around $19,384. Students borrow a median of $37,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,444. That is a strong return on a $37,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #12 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $36,401 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $33,674. Set against $36,401 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #13 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $32,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Allegheny County earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,263. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Community College Of Allegheny County earn a median of $47,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania came in at #16 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $32,316 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Carlow University placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $35,874 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $30,222 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Carlow University earn a median of $66,938 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #18 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $41,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #20 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,624 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,122. That is a strong return on a $26,624 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
La Salle University came in at #21 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $33,206 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $37,453 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $33,206 median debt. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Marywood University landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,420. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,744. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Marywood University earn a median of $49,452 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lancaster Bible College placed #23 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Lancaster, Lancaster Bible College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $29,990. Students borrow a median of $26,388 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,200. That is a strong return on a $26,388 median debt. Lancaster Bible College admits about 56% of applicants.
Harcum College landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,000. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,540. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Harcum College generally make around $26,558. Set against $23,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #25 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,982 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,485. That is a strong return on a $26,982 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration & social service:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 89 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
[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.
