2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts
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
Bristol Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Massachusetts. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,433 to complete the public administration & social service program here. 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 Springfield Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,707. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,457. That is a strong return on a $9,707 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Bunker Hill Community College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $51,782 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,893 median debt.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $7,431. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $22,370. Set against $7,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Holyoke Community College earned it the #5 place for public administration & social service. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,835 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $43,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,835 median debt.
Massasoit Community College landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $6,333 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $19,504 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $36,101 early in their careers. Set against $19,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Cod Community College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,000, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,669 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cape Cod Community College earn a median of $47,939 early in their careers. Set against $14,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salem State University earned the #9 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,734, compared with $17,874 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 $51,697. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Westfield State University earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. 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 Westfield State University generally make around $47,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $105,422. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,947 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $55,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms placed #15 among the best values for public administration & social service. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. Students from in state pay about $43,325 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,682 in student loans. 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.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $50,929 early in their careers. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #17 position for value in public administration & social service 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,106. 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,232. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Boston University earn a median of $57,991 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Simmons College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Simmons College earn a median of $45,268 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants.
Gordon College placed #20 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $30,700. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,250. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $30,381. That is a strong return on a $26,250 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Fisher College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,689. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,935. 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.
Regis College came in at #22 for value in public administration & social service this year. Regis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Weston. Students from in state pay about $49,680 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,441 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Regis College earn a median of $69,483 early in their careers. Set against $27,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College ranked #23 on our 2027 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Smith College earn a median of $53,525 early in their careers. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Anna Maria College placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paxton. 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Anna Maria College earn a median of $99,655 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Clark University placed #25 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,153. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $60,791. That is a strong return on a $26,153 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Rest of the Top 33 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
