2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 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 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
Westmoreland County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,306, while out-of-state students pay about $14,728. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Community College Of Philadelphia, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,242 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $24,893. Set against $18,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Reading Area Community College, which ranked #3. 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, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,725 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Reading Area Community College earn a median of $49,248 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes York College Pennsylvania one of the best values for public administration & social service. York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,588. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,537 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $53,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $33,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Allegheny County came in at #7 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $12,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,263. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $47,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Lincoln University, Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,512, compared with $19,384 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $37,500. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,975, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $36,401. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $33,674 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $36,401 median debt.
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #10 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus came in at #11 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,062. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $69,824. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. 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 $32,208. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Cedar Crest College earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,314. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $30,759. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cedar Crest College earn a median of $67,662 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,759 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
La Salle University earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,800 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $33,206 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $37,453. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Carlow University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $30,222. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. That is a strong return on a $30,222 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $32,316. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $43,122. Set against $26,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,937 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,348. Set against $27,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Marywood University earned the #20 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. In-state tuition and fees average $41,420. Students borrow a median of $27,744 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Marywood University generally make around $49,452. Set against $27,744 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Harcum College landed the #21 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,000. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,540. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Harcum College earn a median of $26,558 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,982. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,675. Set against $26,982 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Widener University Main Campus earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,730. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Widener University Main Campus generally make around $55,609. Set against $30,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Widener University Main Campus admits about 71% of applicants.
Elizabethtown College came in at #24 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,599 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $57,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Eastern University landed the #25 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. In-state tuition and fees average $38,400. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Eastern University generally make around $36,308. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration & social service:
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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
