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2027 Best Public Administration & Social Service Associate’s Degree Schools

173 Colleges in the United States
6,139 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$41,670 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public administration & social service programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 173 schools to find the best for public administration & social service students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in the United States

See the highest-ranked public administration & social service schools offering a associate’s degree below.

Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service

1
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA

Leading the list is Santa Ana College, our #1 school for public administration & social service. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Ana. Santa Ana College awarded about 37 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Santa Ana College generally make around $39,633. Students borrow a median of $11,196 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Santa Ana College

2

Brookdale Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Brookdale Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lincroft. Brookdale Community College awarded about 24 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Brookdale Community College earn around $37,374 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $12,458 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Brookdale Community College

3

Metropolitan Community College Area came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. There were roughly 32 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Metropolitan Community College Area in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $34,392 early in their careers. Metropolitan Community College Area graduates carry a median of $9,728 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Metropolitan Community College Area

4

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Cuny Bronx Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Cuny Bronx Community College awarded about 23 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $36,338. Students borrow a median of $6,786 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Cuny Bronx Community College

5

Fresno City College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a very large public university. About 42 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Fresno City College earn a median of $37,470 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,334. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Fresno City College

6

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. There were roughly 71 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $33,854. Students borrow a median of $7,860 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College

7
Union County College crest
Union County College
Cranford, NJ

Union County College came in at #7 for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Cranford. Union County College awarded about 28 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Union County College earn around $38,168 in the first couple years of their career. Union County College graduates carry a median of $10,942 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Union County College

8

Capital Community College came in at #8 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Britain. Capital Community College awarded about 182 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Capital Community College earn around $29,555 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,059. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Capital Community College

9

Tulsa Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 22 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Tulsa Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Tulsa Community College earn around $41,718 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $10,038 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Tulsa Community College

10

Austin Community College District earned the #10 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. There were roughly 45 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Austin Community College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $34,003 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,922. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Austin Community College District

11

Tacoma Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Tacoma Community College awarded about 20 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Tacoma Community College generally make around $41,008. Tacoma Community College graduates carry a median of $17,367 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Tacoma Community College

12

Hudson Valley Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Hudson Valley Community College awarded about 31 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Hudson Valley Community College earn around $32,887 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,925 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Hudson Valley Community College

13

The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #13 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. There were roughly 33 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Brownsville in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,550. Read more about the public administration & social service program at The University Of Texas At Brownsville

14

Delaware Technical Community College Terry earned the #14 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Delaware Technical Community College Terry awarded about 98 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $30,923 in their early career. Delaware Technical Community College Terry graduates carry a median of $9,240 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Delaware Technical Community College Terry

15

Bristol Community College landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fall River. There were roughly 23 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Bristol Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Typical student debt for the program is $6,433. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Bristol Community College

16
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Ferris State University graduates 56% of students within six years. About 19 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Ferris State University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $45,333 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Ferris State University

17
Midlands Technical College crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

Midlands Technical College landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. About 28 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Midlands Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Midlands Technical College earn around $39,610 in the first couple years of their career. Midlands Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,203 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Midlands Technical College

18

Suffolk County Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 19 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Suffolk County Community College in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Suffolk County Community College graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Suffolk County Community College

19

Santa Rosa Junior College earned the #19 position for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. About 13 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $80,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Santa Rosa Junior College

20

University Of The Cumberlands came in at #20 for public administration & social service this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Williamsburg. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 28 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of The Cumberlands earn a median of $32,938 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,783 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of The Cumberlands

21
Touro College crest
Touro College
New York, NY

Touro College placed #21 among the best public administration & social service schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. Touro College graduates 76% of students within six years. Touro College awarded about 131 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $58,029 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,525 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Touro College

22

Orange County Community College earned the #22 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 13 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Orange County Community College in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $43,442 early in their careers. Orange County Community College graduates carry a median of $14,152 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Orange County Community College

23

Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global earned the #23 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Marion, Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global is a large private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 452 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global generally make around $45,016. Typical student debt for the program is $41,804. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Indiana Wesleyan University National And Global

24
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 26 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Nassau Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,581. Students borrow a median of $13,569 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Nassau Community College

25
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College earned the #25 position for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Suny Empire State College graduates 36% of students within six years. Suny Empire State College awarded about 163 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $52,438 early in their careers. Suny Empire State College graduates carry a median of $25,330 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Suny Empire State College

Rest of the Top 50 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public administration & social service education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Elmira College crest
Elmira College
Elmira, NY
32
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34
35
36
37
38
39
Goodwin College crest
Goodwin College
East Hartford, CT
40
41
Salt Lake Community College crest
Salt Lake Community College
Salt Lake City, UT
42
43
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA
44
45
46
Owens Community College crest
Owens Community College
Perrysburg, OH
47
48
49
Miracosta College crest
Miracosta College
Oceanside, CA
50

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for public administration & social service:

Other Public Administration & Social Service Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Public Administration & Social Service rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Public Administration & Social Service
Bachelor's Degrees in Public Administration & Social Service
Master's Degrees in Public Administration & Social Service

View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 173 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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