2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southwest Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 75 schools to find the best return on investment for public administration & social service students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southwest Region
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
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $26,631. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $35,345. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $10,550. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,227 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $18,336. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $31,701 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of El Centro College earn a median of $41,295 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,526. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $43,672. That is a strong return on a $16,526 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Tulsa Community College earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,038 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,718. Set against $10,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $11,839 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $17,922 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $34,003. That is a strong return on a $17,922 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $8,542. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tohono Oodham Community College came in at #10 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Sells, Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $932 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,229.
University Of North Texas At Dallas landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,595 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. The acceptance rate is 84%.
San Juan College earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $16,150. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.
Rio Salado College landed the #13 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.
South Plains College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. South Plains College is a large public school located in the town of Levelland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Students borrow a median of $13,788 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Lamar University is a very large public school located in the city of Beaumont. In-state tuition and fees average $8,905, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Students borrow a median of $32,705 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,593. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Cochise College placed #16 among the best values for public administration & social service. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Set against $12,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Houston Downtown placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $24,186 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $37,365. Set against $24,186 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in public administration & social service this year. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $24,500 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $41,633. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
East Central University landed the #19 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,032 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,842 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,324 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Central University admits about 58% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Tyler Junior College is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,424, compared with $4,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,348. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Western New Mexico University placed #21 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Students borrow a median of $35,448 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $50,761. That is a strong return on a $35,448 median debt.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #22 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $37,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas A And M University San Antonio landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, Texas A And M University San Antonio is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,654, with out-of-state students paying around $23,255. Students borrow a median of $22,771 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas A And M University San Antonio earn a median of $45,681 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. Students from in state pay about $5,970 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,664 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $21,542 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn a median of $44,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,542 median debt. Northwestern Oklahoma State University admits about 66% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #25 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,500. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $50,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for public administration & social service this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 75 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.
