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2027 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

152 Colleges in the United States
16,618 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$48,293 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 152 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for public administration & social service students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in the Middle Atlantic 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

Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in public administration & social service. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 141 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $91,610 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Johns Hopkins University

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #2. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 366 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $78,202 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Pennsylvania

3

A rank of #3 makes George Washington University one of the top schools for public administration & social service. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 152 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $76,788 in their early career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from George Washington University

4

University Of Maryland Baltimore is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #4. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public institution. About 282 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland Baltimore in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Maryland Baltimore earn around $59,340 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Maryland Baltimore

5
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Georgetown University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 76 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Georgetown University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Georgetown University earn a median of $83,403 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,483. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Georgetown University

6

Cornell University landed the #6 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. About 179 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Cornell University earn around $70,111 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Cornell University

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 977 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $70,493. Typical student debt for the program is $23,258. See the full public administration & social service program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

8
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University earned the #8 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 200 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from American University generally make around $72,330. Typical student debt for the program is $24,139. Get the full public administration & social service details for American University

9
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #9 among the best public administration & social service schools. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 612 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from New York University generally make around $73,975. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from New York University

10

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for public administration & social service this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 17 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $60,523. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

11
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. Princeton University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 230 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Princeton University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $79,371 in their early career. Princeton University graduates carry a median of $10,527 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Princeton University

12
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College placed #12 among the best public administration & social service schools. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 657 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Cuny Hunter College in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Cuny Hunter College earn around $51,407 in the first couple years of their career. Cuny Hunter College graduates carry a median of $9,608 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Cuny Hunter College

13

University Of Scranton came in at #13 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. There were roughly 20 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Scranton in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Scranton

14

Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #14 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 815 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $66,217 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,057 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

15
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University placed #15 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 54 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Villanova University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $72,577 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184. Get the full public administration & social service details for Villanova University

16
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 426 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $61,830 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,493. Get the full public administration & social service details for Syracuse University

17
Hamilton College crest
Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Hamilton College awarded about 16 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $56,158. Hamilton College graduates carry a median of $17,000 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Hamilton College

18
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 76 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Towson University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $36,616. Towson University graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Towson University

19

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #19 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 114 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. Typical student debt for the program is $13,250. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

20

Fordham University placed #20 among the best public administration & social service schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 564 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Fordham University earn around $56,761 in the first couple years of their career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Fordham University

21
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. About 13 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $67,556 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Drexel University

22

University Of Maryland College Park came in at #22 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 232 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $55,767 in their early career. University Of Maryland College Park graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Maryland College Park

23
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College earned the #23 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 74 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $84,712 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,251 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Marist College

24
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Yeshiva University graduates 85% of students within six years. Yeshiva University awarded about 502 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $55,878. Yeshiva University graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Yeshiva University

25

Brookdale Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. About 24 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Brookdale Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $37,374 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,458 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Brookdale Community 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
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY
29
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY
30
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY
31
32
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY
42
43
44
45
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ
46
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
47
Elizabethtown College crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 152 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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