by our College Data Analytics Team
[Public Administration & Social Service](/majors/social-services-public-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong public administration & social service education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for public administration & social service students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.
Haskell Indian Nations University earned the #1 spot for value among public administration & social service schools in Kansas. Haskell Indian Nations University is a small public school located in the city of Lawrence. In-state tuition and fees average $600. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $24,914. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #2 makes Fort Hays State University one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $42,413. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wichita State University earned it the #3 place for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,684, compared with $19,869 for out-of-state students. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Wichita State University generally make around $46,366. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. Wichita State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Washburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, while out-of-state students pay about $20,949. Students borrow a median of $24,623 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Washburn University earn a median of $45,820 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Kansas one of the best values for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $24,000. Early-career public administration & social service graduates make about $47,914. Set against $24,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University earned the #6 position for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Typical student debt for public administration & social service graduates is $27,000. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Pittsburg State University earn a median of $38,288 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Kansas State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Public Administration & Social Service graduates carry a median of $24,603 in student loans. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $41,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Kansas State University admits about 82% of applicants.
Newman University came in at #8 for value in public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Newman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,500. Students borrow a median of $24,562 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Newman University generally make around $54,440. Set against $24,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Newman University admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Saint Mary came in at #9 for value in public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Leavenworth, University Of Saint Mary is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $35,380. Students borrow a median of $27,810 to complete the public administration & social service program here. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Saint Mary generally make around $52,152. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Saint Mary admits about 87% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.