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2027 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Pennsylvania

36 Colleges in the United States
2,927 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$49,317 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their public administration & social service programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 36 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 Pennsylvania

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
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania tops our 2027 ranking of the best public administration & social service schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 366 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $78,202 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Pennsylvania

2

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #2. 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. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $60,523 in their early career. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,266 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

3

University Of Scranton came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. University Of Scranton graduates 80% of students within six years. About 20 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Scranton in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $56,861 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Scranton

4
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #4. Located in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit university. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Villanova University awarded about 54 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,577. Villanova University graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Villanova University

5
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. There were roughly 13 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Drexel University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Drexel University

6

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #6 among the best public administration & social service schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of West Chester. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 211 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

7

York College Pennsylvania landed the #7 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of York, York College Pennsylvania is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 22 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at York College Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from York College Pennsylvania earn around $53,667 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,537. Get the full public administration & social service details for York College Pennsylvania

8

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #8 position for public administration & social service this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 16 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $67,403. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Carnegie Mellon University

9

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #9 among the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 396 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $49,372. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

10
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University placed #10 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Temple University awarded about 221 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Temple University earn around $48,895 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 Temple University

11
Elizabethtown College crest
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA

Elizabethtown College landed the #11 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 20 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Elizabethtown College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $57,397 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,599. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Elizabethtown College

12

Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #12 position for public administration & social service this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. The six-year graduation rate is 34%. There were roughly 59 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $69,824 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,062 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

13

Widener University Main Campus came in at #13 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Chester, Widener University Main Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 210 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Widener University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Widener University Main Campus earn a median of $55,609 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $30,750 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Widener University Main Campus

14
Harcum College crest
Harcum College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Harcum College came in at #14 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Harcum College awarded about 16 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $26,558 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,540 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Harcum College

15
Bryn Mawr College crest
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr College is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 75 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Bryn Mawr College in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Bryn Mawr College earn a median of $49,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,069 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Bryn Mawr College

16

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #16 position for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bloomsburg. About 56% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $33,958 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania

17

Community College Of Philadelphia placed #17 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public institution. There were roughly 33 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Community College Of Philadelphia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $24,893 in their early career. Community College Of Philadelphia graduates carry a median of $18,242 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Community College Of Philadelphia

18

Pennsylvania Western University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. There were roughly 234 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania Western University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $44,085 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full public administration & social service details for Pennsylvania Western University

19
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA

Marywood University placed #19 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Scranton, Marywood University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 61 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Marywood University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Marywood University earn around $49,452 in the first couple years of their career. Marywood University graduates carry a median of $27,744 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Marywood University

20

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among the best public administration & social service schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kutztown. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. About 103 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $43,122. Typical student debt for the program is $26,624. See the full public administration & social service program report for Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania

21
Chestnut Hill College crest
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA

Chestnut Hill College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. Chestnut Hill College awarded about 50 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Chestnut Hill College generally make around $46,201. Students borrow a median of $43,125 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Chestnut Hill College

22

Northampton County Area Community College earned the #22 position for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bethlehem. About 26 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Northampton County Area Community College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Northampton County Area Community College earn a median of $35,960 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Northampton County Area Community College

23
Cedar Crest College crest
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA

Cedar Crest College earned the #23 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Allentown, Cedar Crest College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Cedar Crest College graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Cedar Crest College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Cedar Crest College generally make around $67,662. Students borrow a median of $30,759 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Cedar Crest College

24
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University placed #24 among the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 41 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Carlow University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $66,938 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,222. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Carlow University

25

Westmoreland County Community College came in at #25 for public administration & social service this year. Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Youngwood. Westmoreland County Community College awarded about 14 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Westmoreland County Community College

Rest of the Top 36 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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

26
27
28
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
29
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania crest
Lincoln University Of Pennsylvania
Lincoln University, PA
30
31
32
33
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA
34
35
36

View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 36 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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