2026 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southwest Region
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 130 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 the Southwest Region
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 Texas A And M University Central Texas the best value for a degree in public administration & social service in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. 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.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,227 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $18,336 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,227 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at Texas A And M International University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,095. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $42,029 early in their careers. Set against $15,095 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Students looking for strong value in public administration & social service will find it at El Centro College, which ranked #4. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $31,701. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,295. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Tulsa Community College earned it the #5 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,792, 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.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #6 among the best values for public administration & social service. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $10,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District came in at #7 for value in public administration & social service this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, 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. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $34,003 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tohono Oodham Community College came in at #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $932. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,229 ten years after entry.
El Paso Community College earned the #9 position for value in public administration & social service this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, 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. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #10 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,526 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $43,860. That is a strong return on a $16,526 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
San Juan College placed #11 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $16,150 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,697. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,779, compared with $9,564 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,726 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City generally make around $45,580. That is a strong return on a $18,726 median debt.
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #13 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $41,633. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of North Texas At Dallas came in at #14 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Dallas, University Of North Texas At Dallas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,595, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Howard College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,716. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $14,242 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Howard College earn a median of $41,039 early in their careers. Set against $14,242 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cochise College earned the #16 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,013. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin placed #17 among the best values for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $60,503. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
Tyler Junior College came in at #18 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,424, with out-of-state students paying around $4,536. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $12,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $43,348 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rio Salado College landed the #19 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Rio Salado College is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $13,679. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rio Salado College generally make around $48,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western New Mexico University earned the #20 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,855 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $35,448 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas Womans University landed the #21 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, with out-of-state students paying around $18,480. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $40,340 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
East Central University landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the town of Ada, East Central University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,032, while out-of-state students pay about $17,842. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $26,324 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from East Central University generally make around $37,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University earned the #23 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #24 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Fe Community College came in at #25 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,851, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $51,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in public administration & social service:
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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 · 130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 44 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.
