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2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Arkansas

7 Colleges in the United States
$23,105 Avg Student Debt
$44,570 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Badge [Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Arkansas

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

1

Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas tops our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in Arkansas. Located in the town of Helena, Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas earn a median of $45,190 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at University Of Arkansas Fort Smith, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, compared with $12,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $23,500. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $32,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.

3

Arkansas State University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,090, with out-of-state students paying around $14,522. Students borrow a median of $29,370 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Arkansas State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,753 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,370 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

4

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,960 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,385 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southern Arkansas University Main Campus earn a median of $41,723 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at University Of Arkansas At Little Rock, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Little Rock, University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,911 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,721. Students borrow a median of $26,980 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.

6
University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $29,966. 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 $43,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.

7

Harding University came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Harding University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Searcy. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,962. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Harding University generally make around $41,835. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Harding University admits about 70% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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