2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in North Carolina
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 46 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
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2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in North Carolina
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 Wilkes Community College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in North Carolina. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Stanly Community College one of the best values for public administration & social service. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. In-state tuition and fees average $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Stanly Community College earn a median of $41,920 early in their careers.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $50,669 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Pitt Community College, which ranked #4. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $19,741 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Pitt Community College earn a median of $43,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Carolina University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $8,630. Students borrow a median of $22,116 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $48,324 early in their careers. Set against $22,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,977. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Davidson County Community College placed #7 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,980, while out-of-state students pay about $6,588. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $16,693 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Davidson County Community College generally make around $35,625. Set against $16,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elizabeth City State University earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $25,467. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $28,300. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Elizabeth City State University admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,648, while out-of-state students pay about $7,648. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $38,631 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,146. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Fayetteville State University landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $32,500. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Fayetteville State University earn a median of $36,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #12 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,813 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $30,000. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $37,036. That is a strong return on a $30,000 median debt. North Carolina A And T State University admits about 50% of applicants.
Winston Salem State University earned the #13 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,126 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,782. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $28,537 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $29,617. That is a strong return on a $28,537 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $22,184 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $41,044. That is a strong return on a $22,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #15 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $20,791 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,530. Set against $20,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
East Carolina University landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service value this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $43,448. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Carolina Central University placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,699, while out-of-state students pay about $19,735. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,045. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Mount Olive College came in at #18 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Mount Olive, Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,366. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $30,798 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Mount Olive College earn a median of $45,131 early in their careers. Set against $30,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $22,361 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $44,528 early in their careers. Set against $22,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Meredith College came in at #20 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, Meredith College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,630 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,381. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,537. That is a strong return on a $26,381 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Wingate University earned the #21 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wingate. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,576. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $32,843 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Mars Hill College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Mars Hill, Mars Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,736 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $29,133 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Mars Hill College earn a median of $41,643 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Johnson C Smith University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Johnson C Smith University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. In-state tuition and fees average $21,300. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $41,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Johnson C Smith University generally make around $48,343. Set against $41,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johnson C Smith University admits about 45% of applicants.
Pfeiffer University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Misenheimer, Pfeiffer University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,070. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,375 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $54,891. Set against $26,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pfeiffer University admits about 96% of applicants.
Barton College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Wilson, Barton College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Barton College earn a median of $38,312 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration & social service:
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
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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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
