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2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Far Western Region

44 Colleges in the United States
10,977 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$56,188 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 194 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best public administration & social service schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in the Far Western Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the public administration & social service degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service

1

No school ranked higher than University Of California Berkeley this year for public administration & social service. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 275 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of California Berkeley earn around $77,640 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,719. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of California Berkeley

2
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #2. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 44 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Stanford University

3

California State University Long Beach is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 385 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $57,171 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,276 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for California State University Long Beach

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for public administration & social service. This very large public university is 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 281 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $65,872 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of California Los Angeles

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the top schools for public administration & social service. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 264 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $62,017. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $17,396 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

6

University Of San Diego placed #6 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. University Of San Diego graduates 84% of students within six years. University Of San Diego awarded about 13 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $68,281 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,795. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of San Diego

7

University Of Southern California placed #7 among the best public administration & social service schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 997 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $72,462 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Southern California

8

California State University Fullerton placed #8 among the best public administration & social service schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 380 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $54,588. Students borrow a median of $13,273 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for California State University Fullerton

9

San Jose State University came in at #9 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. San Jose State University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 265 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at San Jose State University in the most recent data year. Get the full public administration & social service details for San Jose State University

10

California State University Sacramento placed #10 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 280 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $53,636. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at California State University Sacramento

11
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $87,976 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,935. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of San Francisco

12

San Francisco State University earned the #12 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 108 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from San Francisco State University earn around $76,027 in the first couple years of their career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,259 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for San Francisco State University

13

University Of California Davis earned the #13 position for public administration & social service this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 40 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of California Davis earn around $44,593 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,171 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of California Davis

14

California State University Monterey Bay came in at #14 for public administration & social service this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Seaside. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 122 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $68,490 in their early career. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $14,480 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at California State University Monterey Bay

15

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #15 among the best public administration & social service schools. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 10 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $61,010. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

16

University Of Oregon came in at #16 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 163 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $39,140 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,475 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Oregon

17

Fresno City College placed #17 among the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fresno. About 42 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Fresno City College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Students borrow a median of $6,334 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Fresno City College

18

California State University Los Angeles landed the #18 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 407 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at California State University Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from California State University Los Angeles generally make around $52,293. California State University Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for California State University Los Angeles

19

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #19 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 26 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $29,617. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of California Santa Cruz

20

San Diego State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 256 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $52,135. San Diego State University graduates carry a median of $15,088 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for San Diego State University

21
Pomona College crest
Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College earned the #21 position for public administration & social service this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Claremont. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Pomona College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Pomona College

22

University Of Portland ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. University Of Portland graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Portland in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $54,739 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,169. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Portland

23

Point Loma Nazarene University placed #23 among the best public administration & social service schools. Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Point Loma Nazarene University graduates 77% of students within six years. Point Loma Nazarene University awarded about 12 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Point Loma Nazarene University generally make around $54,116. Students borrow a median of $22,542 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Point Loma Nazarene University

24

Western Washington University landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 65 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $39,487 early in their careers. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $20,041 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Western Washington University

25

California State University Northridge came in at #25 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. About 57% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 323 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at California State University Northridge in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from California State University Northridge earn around $64,148 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,975. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from California State University Northridge

Rest of the Top 50 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

These schools also placed among the best for public administration & social service this year:

26
27
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
45
46
47
National University crest
National University
San Diego, CA
48
49
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 194 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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