2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Georgia
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
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2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Georgia
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
Leading the list is Southern Regional Technical College, our #1 best value for public administration & social service in Georgia. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $48,383. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Athens Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Athens, Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $5,958. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Athens Technical College earn a median of $41,631 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Dalton State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, with out-of-state students paying around $10,656. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,955 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $41,654. That is a strong return on a $14,955 median debt.
Gordon State College earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Barnesville, Gordon State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,628, with out-of-state students paying around $10,948. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Gordon State College earn a median of $33,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Clayton State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Morrow. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, compared with $16,532 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $35,088. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Clayton State University earn a median of $42,114 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Clayton State University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $34,032. Set against $27,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Valdosta State University landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $47,197. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
Savannah State University placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,750, compared with $19,043 for out-of-state students. 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 Savannah State University generally make around $44,044. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middle Georgia State University landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Middle Georgia State University is a large public school located in the city of Macon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,038, compared with $16,390 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Middle Georgia State University generally make around $48,207. Set against $31,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Fort Valley State University placed #12 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Fort Valley, Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,878. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $37,875. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $26,299. Set against $37,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Valley State University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #13 spot for public administration & social service value this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,314 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Albany State University earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Albany, Albany State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,656, with out-of-state students paying around $17,008. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,687. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt.
University Of West Georgia earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, with out-of-state students paying around $17,800. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,789 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of West Georgia generally make around $47,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.
Augusta University landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Augusta University generally make around $48,500. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $30,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,944. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Georgia Gwinnett College landed the #18 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,532, compared with $13,844 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,280 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $55,992. Set against $21,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University earned the #19 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,500. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Georgia State University earned the #20 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $30,683. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $41,273. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville came in at #21 for value in public administration & social service this year. Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public school located in the town of Milledgeville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,605. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $17,033. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $29,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Strayer University Georgia landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Chamblee, Strayer University Georgia is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,920 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $47,631 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Strayer University Georgia generally make around $49,512. Set against $47,631 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Thomas University landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Thomasville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Thomas University generally make around $59,773. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Thomas University admits about 38% of applicants.
Georgia College And State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Milledgeville, Georgia College And State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,186, with out-of-state students paying around $29,512. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,412 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Georgia College And State University earn a median of $56,175 early in their careers. Set against $24,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Clark Atlanta University placed #25 among the best values for public administration & social service. Clark Atlanta University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $28,310. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Clark Atlanta University earn a median of $36,504 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
