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2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Michigan

18 Colleges in the United States
2,933 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$44,912 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 44 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 Michigan

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 Michigan Ann Arbor this year for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 687 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $58,032 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

2

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #2. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,800. See the full public administration & social service program report for Michigan Technological University

3
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. About 81% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 101 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $44,812. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $26,285 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Michigan State University

4

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #4. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Washtenaw Community College awarded about 42 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. Washtenaw Community College graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Washtenaw Community College

5

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at University Of Detroit Mercy, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Detroit. University Of Detroit Mercy graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Detroit Mercy in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Detroit Mercy earn a median of $76,755 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $52,651. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Detroit Mercy

6
Cornerstone University crest
Cornerstone University
Grand Rapids, MI

Cornerstone University landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service this year. Cornerstone University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 17 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Cornerstone University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Cornerstone University earn a median of $44,501 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Cornerstone University

7

Western Michigan University placed #7 among the best public administration & social service schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kalamazoo. Western Michigan University graduates 58% of students within six years. Western Michigan University awarded about 91 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $46,328. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Western Michigan University

8
Central Michigan University crest
Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University came in at #8 for public administration & social service this year. Central Michigan University is a large public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. About 59% of students finish within six years. Central Michigan University awarded about 174 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Central Michigan University generally make around $48,692. Central Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,452 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Central Michigan University

9

Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 275 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $44,351. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $26,349 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Grand Valley State University

10
Oakland University crest
Oakland University
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University placed #10 among the best public administration & social service schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Rochester Hills. Oakland University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 162 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Oakland University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Oakland University earn around $40,832 in the first couple years of their career. Oakland University graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Oakland University

11
Hope College crest
Hope College
Holland, MI

Hope College landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service this year. Hope College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Holland. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Hope College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Hope College earn a median of $37,270 early in their careers. Hope College graduates carry a median of $26,670 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Hope College

12

Macomb Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Macomb Community College awarded about 33 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. Macomb Community College graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Macomb Community College

13

Wayne State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a very large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 367 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Wayne State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Wayne State University earn around $45,364 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,381. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Wayne State University

14
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College came in at #14 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Grand Rapids. Calvin College graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Calvin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $31,584 in their early career. Calvin College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Calvin College

15
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University ranked #15 on our 2026 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. There were roughly 107 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Ferris State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Ferris State University earn around $45,333 in the first couple years of their career. Ferris State University graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Ferris State University

16
Saginaw Valley State University crest
Saginaw Valley State University
University Center, MI

Saginaw Valley State University placed #16 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of University Center, Saginaw Valley State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Saginaw Valley State University awarded about 121 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Saginaw Valley State University generally make around $45,359. Typical student debt for the program is $31,000. Get the full public administration & social service details for Saginaw Valley State University

17
Oakland Community College crest
Oakland Community College
Auburn Hills, MI

Oakland Community College earned the #17 position for public administration & social service this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Oakland Community College awarded about 87 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Oakland Community College graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Oakland Community College

18
Spring Arbor University crest
Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI

Spring Arbor University came in at #18 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Spring Arbor, Spring Arbor University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 152 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Spring Arbor University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Spring Arbor University earn a median of $47,673 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,893. Get the full public administration & social service details for Spring Arbor University

19

Northern Michigan University landed the #19 spot for public administration & social service this year. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Northern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $36,513. Northern Michigan University graduates carry a median of $24,301 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Northern Michigan University

20

Eastern Michigan University came in at #20 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. There were roughly 177 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Eastern Michigan University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $47,121 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,111 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Eastern Michigan University

21

Henry Ford Community College came in at #21 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. About 28 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Henry Ford Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $36,247 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Henry Ford Community College

22

Siena Heights University earned the #22 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 39% of students complete a degree within six years here. Siena Heights University awarded about 20 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $34,114 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $29,913. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Siena Heights University

23

University Of Michigan Flint came in at #23 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Flint, University Of Michigan Flint is a moderately-sized public university. About 40% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Flint in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Michigan Flint earn a median of $46,775 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $38,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Michigan Flint

24
Kellogg Community College crest
Kellogg Community College
Battle Creek, MI

Kellogg Community College earned the #24 position for public administration & social service this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Battle Creek. There were roughly 13 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Kellogg Community College in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Kellogg Community College earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,432 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Kellogg Community College

25
Madonna University crest
Madonna University
Livonia, MI

Madonna University earned the #25 position for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Livonia. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 37 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Madonna University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Madonna University earn a median of $49,829 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,597. See the full public administration & social service program report for Madonna University

Rest of the Top 28 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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

26
Andrews University crest
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI
27
Kuyper College crest
Kuyper College
Grand Rapids, MI
28

View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 44 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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