2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 199 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 the Southeast Region
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
Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in the Southeast Region. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,726 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $39,173. That is a strong return on a $30,726 median debt.
Midlands Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $18,203 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,610. Set against $18,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, while out-of-state students pay about $10,201. Students borrow a median of $13,583 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trident Technical College earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $18,116. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $50,166. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Wilkes Community College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #6 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Itawamba Community College placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the rural area of Fulton, Itawamba Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,420, with out-of-state students paying around $5,820. Students borrow a median of $10,942 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,832. Set against $10,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,749 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $44,099. That is a strong return on a $19,749 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Hazard Community And Technical College placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Louisiana State University Shreveport earned the #10 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Shreveport, Louisiana State University Shreveport is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,327. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $28,907 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Louisiana State University Shreveport earn a median of $45,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,907 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Henderson Community College earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,528. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $40,259. Set against $13,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stanly Community College landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, compared with $8,816 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Holmes Community College earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,710, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,831. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $32,145. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida International University landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $22,911 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas placed #15 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas generally make around $45,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $50,647. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $8,492. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,229. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
Gateway Community And Technical College came in at #18 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,100 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $46,993. Set against $21,100 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madisonville Community College earned the #19 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Madisonville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $10,985 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Madisonville Community College generally make around $41,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Horry Georgetown Technical College earned the #20 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, while out-of-state students pay about $10,978. Students borrow a median of $35,140 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Horry Georgetown Technical College generally make around $37,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maysville Community And Technical College came in at #21 for value in public administration & social service this year. Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Maysville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,031. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Maysville Community And Technical College earn a median of $37,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,808 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,917 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,346. Set against $13,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #23 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,244. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $44,830 early in their careers. Set against $22,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
St Petersburg College came in at #24 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,928 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,735. Set against $31,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $48,383 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration & social service value ranking:
Narrow Public Administration & Social Service Schools by State
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 199 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 199 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.
