2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Georgia
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.
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2026 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
Our analysis ranked Southern Regional Technical College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in Georgia. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. 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. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Athens Technical College earned it the #3 place for public administration & social service. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $5,958. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dalton State College earned it the #4 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Students borrow a median of $14,955 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Dalton State College earn a median of $41,654 early in their careers. Set against $14,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $48,383. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Clayton State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Morrow, Clayton State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,180, with out-of-state students paying around $16,532. Students borrow a median of $35,088 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,114. Set against $35,088 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of North Georgia earned the #7 position for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $27,850 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $34,032 early in their careers. Set against $27,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Gordon State College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Gordon State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Barnesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,628, compared with $10,948 for out-of-state students. 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.
Savannah State University landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Savannah State University is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, compared with $19,043 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. 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.
Valdosta State University earned the #10 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Valdosta State University is a large public school located in the city of Valdosta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $28,661 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Valdosta State University earn a median of $48,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,661 median debt. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,314. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $42,736. That is a strong return on a $24,314 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Fort Valley State University came in at #12 for value in public administration & social service this year. Fort Valley State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fort Valley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,526, with out-of-state students paying around $16,878. Students borrow a median of $37,875 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Fort Valley State University earn a median of $26,299 early in their careers. Set against $37,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fort Valley State University admits about 66% of applicants.
Augusta University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,414, compared with $24,734 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. 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.
Middle Georgia State University landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Macon, Middle Georgia State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,038, while out-of-state students pay about $16,390. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Military College Milledgeville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Georgia Military College Milledgeville is a large public school located in the town of Milledgeville. Students from in state pay about $7,605 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,033 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Georgia Military College Milledgeville generally make around $29,788. Set against $17,033 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Albany State University landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Albany State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $5,656 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,008. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Albany State University earn a median of $44,177 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia State University earned the #17 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $30,683 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,241. That is a strong return on a $30,683 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of West Georgia ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,789 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of West Georgia earn a median of $47,999 early in their careers. Set against $26,789 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of West Georgia admits about 52% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University earned the #19 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022, while out-of-state students pay about $17,734. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,500. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $43,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kennesaw State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $30,500 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $47,750 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,500 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia College And State University landed the #21 spot for public administration & social service value this year. 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, compared with $29,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,412. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Georgia College And State University generally make around $56,175. That is a strong return on a $24,412 median debt. Georgia College And State University admits about 78% of applicants.
Strayer University Georgia placed #22 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Chamblee, Strayer University Georgia is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Students borrow a median of $47,631 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Strayer University Georgia earn a median of $49,512 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $47,631 median debt.
Thomas University earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Thomas University is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $59,773. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Macon. Students from in state pay about $31,565 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $54,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Mercer University generally make around $44,355. Set against $54,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercer University admits about 69% of applicants.
Clark Atlanta University earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Clark Atlanta University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,310 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Clark Atlanta University generally make around $38,304. That is a strong return on a $27,500 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
