2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Florida

[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 24 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Florida
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 Florida. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,657 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,631. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $19,749 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $44,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Indian River State College one of the best values for public administration & social service. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Students borrow a median of $13,583 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $37,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida International University earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. 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. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,911. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,327. Set against $22,911 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Palm Beach State College earned it the #5 place for public administration & social service. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,050 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,518. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Palm Beach State College earn a median of $42,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College came in at #6 for value in public administration & social service this year. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. 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.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $22,244 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,830. Set against $22,244 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The University Of West Florida earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Students borrow a median of $17,373 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $36,573 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,373 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Florida ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,029 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $53,302. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,659. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $43,828 early in their careers. Set against $17,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Central Florida earned the #11 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,414. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,988. That is a strong return on a $22,414 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $18,837 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $48,256. That is a strong return on a $18,837 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $17,725. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University generally make around $33,951. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Agricultural And Mechanical University admits about 21% of applicants.
Saint Leo University came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Saint Leo University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Saint Leo. Students from in state pay about $30,000 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $34,454 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Saint Leo University earn a median of $43,189 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $34,454 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rasmussen College Florida ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Ocala, Rasmussen College Florida is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,256. Students borrow a median of $36,597 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $36,998. Set against $36,597 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Barry University earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Barry University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,350. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $28,202. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Barry University generally make around $63,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Barry University admits about 77% of applicants.
Jacksonville University came in at #17 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,150. Students borrow a median of $25,619 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $72,608. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.
Nova Southeastern University landed the #18 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,700. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $52,634. Set against $25,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Ultimate Medical Academy Clearwater came in at #19 for value in public administration & social service this year. Ultimate Medical Academy Clearwater is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Clearwater. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,310. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ultimate Medical Academy Clearwater generally make around $20,687. Set against $22,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Flagler College St Augustine ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Flagler College St Augustine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Augustine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,900. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $21,485. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Flagler College St Augustine earn a median of $61,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Southeastern University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Southeastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,950. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,993. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $47,806 early in their careers. Set against $24,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 53%.
Florida Institute Of Technology earned the #22 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,900. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $32,114. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida Institute Of Technology generally make around $69,878. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami came in at #23 for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $69,710. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Lynn University landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Lynn University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,480. Students borrow a median of $21,391 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Lynn University earn a median of $50,569 early in their careers. Set against $21,391 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 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.