2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Illinois

1

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL

Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. Northwestern University awarded about 193 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $61,280 in their early career. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $18,608 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Northwestern University

2

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Chicago is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. About 285 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Chicago earn around $62,582 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,492 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Chicago

3

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #3. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 267 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $43,709 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $19,344 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

4

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Loyola University Chicago, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 312 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Loyola University Chicago in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Loyola University Chicago generally make around $51,834. Students borrow a median of $21,133 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Loyola University Chicago

5

Illinois Institute Of Technology
Chicago, IL

Illinois Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Illinois Institute Of Technology generally make around $71,315. Typical student debt for the program is $26,774. Get the full public administration & social service details for Illinois Institute Of Technology

6

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois
Addison, IL

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois came in at #6 for public administration & social service this year. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Addison. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 86 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois earn a median of $101,006 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $39,146. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Illinois

7

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #7 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. University Of Illinois At Chicago awarded about 309 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $48,470. Students borrow a median of $17,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Illinois At Chicago

8

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public university. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. Northern Illinois University awarded about 38 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $62,379. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Northern Illinois University

9

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. There were roughly 69 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Depaul University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $55,980. Typical student debt for the program is $25,310. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Depaul University

10

Adler School Of Professional Psychology
Chicago, IL

Adler School Of Professional Psychology placed #10 among the best public administration & social service schools. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. About 29 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Adler School Of Professional Psychology in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $55,542 in their early career. Get the full public administration & social service details for Adler School Of Professional Psychology

11

Bradley University
Peoria, IL

Bradley University placed #11 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Peoria, Bradley University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 14 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Bradley University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Bradley University earn around $36,017 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Bradley University

12

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 72 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Illinois State University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $44,297 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Illinois State University

13

Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Northeastern Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. Northeastern Illinois University graduates 22% of students within six years. Northeastern Illinois University awarded about 144 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northeastern Illinois University generally make around $42,588. Northeastern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Northeastern Illinois University

14

Aurora University
Aurora, IL

Aurora University landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Aurora. Aurora University graduates 60% of students within six years. About 762 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Aurora University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Aurora University earn around $44,562 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Aurora University

15

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 26 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Joliet Junior College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Typical student debt for the program is $11,995. See the full public administration & social service program report for Joliet Junior College

16

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Western Illinois University awarded about 34 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $39,641 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,850. See the full public administration & social service program report for Western Illinois University

17

Erikson Institute
Chicago, IL

Erikson Institute landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Erikson Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 23 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Erikson Institute in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Erikson Institute earn around $53,028 in the first couple years of their career. See the full public administration & social service program report for Erikson Institute

18

University Of Illinois At Springfield
Springfield, IL

University Of Illinois At Springfield placed #18 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Springfield, University Of Illinois At Springfield is a moderately-sized public institution. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates 52% of students within six years. There were roughly 93 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Springfield in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Springfield generally make around $57,643. University Of Illinois At Springfield graduates carry a median of $24,810 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Illinois At Springfield

19

Dominican University
River Forest, IL

Dominican University placed #19 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of River Forest, Dominican University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Dominican University graduates 55% of students within six years. About 96 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Dominican University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Dominican University earn around $52,605 in the first couple years of their career. Dominican University graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Dominican University

20

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Edwardsville, IL

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville landed the #20 spot for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Edwardsville. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 88 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville earn a median of $45,657 early in their careers. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

21

Lewis University
Romeoville, IL

Lewis University placed #21 among the best public administration & social service schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Romeoville. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 38 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Lewis University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Lewis University earn around $49,271 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Lewis University

22

University Of St Francis
Joliet, IL

University Of St Francis ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. University Of St Francis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Joliet. About 67% of students finish within six years. University Of St Francis awarded about 37 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of St Francis earn around $47,909 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of St Francis

23

National Louis University
Chicago, IL

National Louis University earned the #23 position for public administration & social service this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 30%. There were roughly 52 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at National Louis University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $37,205 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,242. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from National Louis University

24

Olivet Nazarene University
Bourbonnais, IL

Olivet Nazarene University came in at #24 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Bourbonnais, Olivet Nazarene University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. About 19 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Olivet Nazarene University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $31,720 in their early career. Olivet Nazarene University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Olivet Nazarene University

25

Rasmussen College Illinois
Rockford, IL

Rasmussen College Illinois earned the #25 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen College Illinois is a mid-sized private for-profit university. Rasmussen College Illinois awarded about 12 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Rasmussen College Illinois generally make around $36,998. Typical student debt for the program is $36,597. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Rasmussen College Illinois