Public Administration & Social Service is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public administration & social service programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 533 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public administration & social service students pursuing a degree.
No school ranked higher than Duke University this year for public administration & social service. Duke University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Durham. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. There were roughly 151 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Duke University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $60,501. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full public administration & social service details for Duke University
University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 196 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $79,244 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,719.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at University Of Virginia Main Campus, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Charlottesville. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Virginia Main Campus awarded about 128 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $71,078. Students borrow a median of $20,362 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Virginia Main Campus
Cornell University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 172 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Cornell University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $69,893 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,750.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Cornell University
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 19 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Stanford University
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 357 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $78,202 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Pennsylvania
University Of California Los Angeles placed #7 among the best public administration & social service schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 235 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $65,788 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Rice University placed #8 among the best public administration & social service schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rice University awarded about 22 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Rice University earn around $75,299 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Rice University
Northwestern University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Evanston. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 163 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Northwestern University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $59,941. Students borrow a median of $18,608 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Northwestern University
California State University Long Beach placed #10 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. California State University Long Beach graduates 69% of students within six years. About 170 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $56,976 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,276.
See the full public administration & social service program report for California State University Long Beach
Northeastern University placed #11 among the best public administration & social service schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 109 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $66,050 early in their careers. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Northeastern University
Indiana University Bloomington placed #12 among the best public administration & social service schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 489 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $46,473 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,619.
Get the full public administration & social service details for Indiana University Bloomington
University Of California Davis came in at #13 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 35 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $44,593. Students borrow a median of $14,171 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of California Davis
California State University Monterey Bay placed #14 among the best public administration & social service schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Seaside. California State University Monterey Bay graduates 59% of students within six years. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 124 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $68,245 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,480.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from California State University Monterey Bay
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #15 among the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Boulder. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 10 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $55,861 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans.
Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #16 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 337 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $51,014 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
George Washington University came in at #17 for public administration & social service this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 152 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from George Washington University earn around $76,788 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,910.
Get the full public administration & social service details for George Washington University
University Of Denver came in at #18 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Denver awarded about 568 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Denver earn around $51,342 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Denver
University Of Chicago earned the #19 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 73 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $60,057 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,492.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Chicago
California State University Sacramento came in at #20 for public administration & social service this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Sacramento awarded about 151 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $42,305. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from California State University Sacramento
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #21 for public administration & social service this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 22 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $29,617 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
Syracuse University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 99 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $53,744. Typical student debt for the program is $26,493.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Syracuse University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #23 spot for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 32 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $48,383 early in their careers. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
California State University Fullerton landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 356 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $59,607. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete this degree.
Get the full public administration & social service details for California State University Fullerton
San Jose State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 54 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Get the full public administration & social service details for San Jose State University
Rest of the Top 50 Public Administration & Social Service Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong public administration & social service education:
The ranking above is published 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 · 533 schools evaluated.
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).
