2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in North Carolina
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 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 North Carolina
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
Our analysis ranked Wilkes Community College the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in North Carolina. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $9,125. 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.
Stanly Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Albemarle, Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,672, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Stanly Community College generally make around $41,920.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $16,252 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock generally make around $42,443. That is a strong return on a $16,252 median debt.
Beaufort County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Beaufort County Community College earn a median of $38,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,947 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $50,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabeth City State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, Elizabeth City State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,536, with out-of-state students paying around $10,536. Students borrow a median of $25,467 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Elizabeth City State University earn a median of $28,300 early in their careers. Set against $25,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Pitt Community College earned the #7 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Pitt Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Winterville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,871, with out-of-state students paying around $13,087. Students borrow a median of $19,741 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,022. Set against $19,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Davidson County Community College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,588 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,693. 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.
University Of North Carolina At Pembroke came in at #9 for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Pembroke. Students from in state pay about $3,648 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earn a median of $46,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Fayetteville State University placed #10 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,353, while out-of-state students pay about $8,353. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $32,500. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $36,417. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Western Carolina University placed #11 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $22,116 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,159. That is a strong return on a $22,116 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a very 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. 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 University Of North Carolina At Greensboro generally make around $41,186. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro admits about 88% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University came in at #13 for value in public administration & social service this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, compared with $20,673 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $30,000 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $37,036 early in their careers. Set against $30,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Carteret Community College came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Morehead City, Carteret Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,222. Students borrow a median of $5,566 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Carteret Community College generally make around $48,953. Set against $5,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute placed #15 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the suburb of Hudson, Caldwell Community College And Technical Institute is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,528 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,528. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $44,734. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $40,902. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
East Carolina University landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $43,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Winston Salem State University landed the #18 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Winston Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,126, compared with $16,782 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,537 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Winston Salem State University earn a median of $29,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,537 median debt. Winston Salem State University admits about 78% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. 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 $43,786. Set against $20,791 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Appalachian State University earned the #20 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,579, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $22,184. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $40,772. That is a strong return on a $22,184 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
North Carolina Central University came in at #21 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Durham, North Carolina Central University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,699, with out-of-state students paying around $19,735. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of North Carolina Central University earn a median of $43,334 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Gardner Webb University earned the #22 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Gardner Webb University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Boiling Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,750. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Gardner Webb University generally make around $63,220. That is a strong return on a $25,033 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Olive College earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Mount Olive College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Mount Olive. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,361 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $44,458. Set against $22,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Wingate University earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Wingate, Wingate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,576. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Wingate University earn a median of $32,843 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Wingate University admits about 91% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration & social service value ranking:
More Public Administration & Social Service Rankings
View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
