by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Washington County Community College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in Maine. Set in the rural area of Calais, Washington County Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,407 ten years after entry.
Central Maine Community 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 Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $40,029. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York County Community College earned it the #3 place for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,773 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of York County Community College earn a median of $29,599 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,773 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Presque Isle. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,862. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $23,434 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,148. Set against $23,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Eastern Maine Community College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Eastern Maine Community College generally make around $52,263. That is a strong return on a $17,741 median debt.
University Of Maine At Augusta placed #6 among the best values for public administration & social service. University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Augusta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, with out-of-state students paying around $22,178. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,313 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $45,574 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Maine Community College earned the #7 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $13,869 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $41,328. Set against $13,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Southern Maine earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Southern Maine is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, while out-of-state students pay about $29,940. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,610. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,427. That is a strong return on a $22,610 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Maine placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,154. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $46,950. Set against $26,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,420. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,625. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Saint Josephs College Of Maine earn a median of $67,463 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt. Saint Josephs College Of Maine admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of New England ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Biddeford, University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,210. Students borrow a median of $26,838 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of New England earn a median of $52,239 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.