2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts
[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in public administration & social service, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Bristol Community College this year. Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $6,433. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holyoke Community College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Students borrow a median of $9,835 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $43,423. That is a strong return on a $9,835 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Quinsigamond Community College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $19,504 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $36,101. Set against $19,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fitchburg State University earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,352 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Massasoit Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $6,333. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harvard University landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $106,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $7,431 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $22,370 early in their careers. Set against $7,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bridgewater State University placed #8 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $17,874. 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 Bridgewater State University generally make around $51,697. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $53,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $52,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Westfield State University placed #11 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,739. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $67,722. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #13 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,234. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $50,929 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Gordon College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,700. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,250. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $37,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Gordon College admits about 69% of applicants.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,325. Students borrow a median of $31,682 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,161. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Boston University earn a median of $57,991 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,232 median debt. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Fisher College earned the #17 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $35,689. Students borrow a median of $29,935 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Fisher College earn a median of $35,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fisher College admits about 71% of applicants.
Smith College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $53,525. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Simmons College earned the #19 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,874 in tuition and fees. 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 Simmons College generally make around $45,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Clark University placed #20 among the best values for public administration & social service. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $60,827. That is a strong return on a $26,153 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Regis College placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Weston, Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,680. Students borrow a median of $27,441 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Regis College generally make around $69,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Springfield College landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,974 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,415 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $57,311. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Springfield College admits about 72% of applicants.
Anna Maria College earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $98,414. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants.
Suffolk University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $78,504. Set against $26,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Lesley University came in at #25 for value in public administration & social service this year. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $48,287. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration & social service this year:
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 51 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.
