by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value public administration & social service schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
Tohono Oodham Community College earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Arizona. Tohono Oodham Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Sells. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $932. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,229.
Rio Salado College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public university. 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.
Cochise College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. 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. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cochise College generally make around $40,712. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.
Mesa Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
Phoenix College earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $15,204. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Phoenix College earn a median of $51,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $21,752. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #8 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $45,534 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $58,083. That is a strong return on a $45,534 median debt.
Northern Arizona University placed #9 among the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $42,918. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $21,761 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $49,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $44,518. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University earned the #12 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $36,382. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $43,725 early in their careers. Set against $36,382 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Prescott College came in at #13 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Prescott, Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,490. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $27,230 in student loans. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Prescott College earn a median of $44,151 early in their careers. Set against $27,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Ashford University earned the #14 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $41,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $53,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.