2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Kentucky
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Kentucky
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
Hazard Community And Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools in Kentucky. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Big Sandy Community And Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Prestonsburg, Big Sandy 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 $17,993 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Big Sandy Community And Technical College generally make around $33,956. That is a strong return on a $17,993 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College, which ranked #3. Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cumberland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,687 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $35,946. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Elizabethtown Community And Technical College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $12,245 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $45,486. That is a strong return on a $12,245 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Maysville Community And Technical College earned it the #5 place for public administration & social service. Located in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,031 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Maysville Community And Technical College generally make around $37,769. Set against $13,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College earned the #6 position 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Gateway Community And Technical College earn a median of $46,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,100 median debt.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Lexington. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,366 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Bluegrass Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,431 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,917. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Jefferson Community And Technical College generally make around $44,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $28,906 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $43,579. That is a strong return on a $28,906 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,545. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Eastern Kentucky University placed #11 among the best values for public administration & social service. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, with out-of-state students paying around $21,230. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $30,750. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Kentucky State University earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Frankfort, Kentucky State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,387, while out-of-state students pay about $13,578. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $29,774. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,774 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of The Cumberlands ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $9,875 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,783. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $32,938. That is a strong return on a $22,783 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western Kentucky University came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $39,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Morehead State University earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,024 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,980 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $32,002. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $35,300 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,002 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pikeville College placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Pikeville, Pikeville College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $24,850 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,966 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Pikeville College earn a median of $57,157 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lindsey Wilson College landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,808. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $22,774 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Lindsey Wilson College generally make around $29,318. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Kentucky placed #18 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,875. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $43,745. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Brescia University came in at #19 for value in public administration & social service this year. Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $31,550. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $48,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Brescia University generally make around $42,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 35% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Louisville earned the #20 position for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $40,876. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Campbellsville University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,998. Students borrow a median of $27,360 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Campbellsville University earn a median of $40,399 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Asbury University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Asbury University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Wilmore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,640. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $28,104. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Asbury University generally make around $50,086. Set against $28,104 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Asbury University admits about 63% of applicants.
Spalding University landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $29,000 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,862 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $48,073. Set against $29,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Spalding University admits about 99% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 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.
