2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Rhode Island

1

Community College Of Rhode Island
Warwick, RI

For return on investment in public administration & social service, no school beat Community College Of Rhode Island this year. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,625. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $39,680 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Rhode Island College
Providence, RI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rhode Island College earned it the #2 place for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Providence, Rhode Island College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,300 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,299 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,100. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,058. That is a strong return on a $24,100 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $53,266. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

4

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,345 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Brown University earn a median of $59,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.

5

Salve Regina University
Newport, RI

Salve Regina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Newport, Salve Regina University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,100. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Salve Regina University earn a median of $56,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.