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2027 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts

34 Colleges in the United States
3,447 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$53,912 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 34 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 Massachusetts

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
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

No school ranked higher than Harvard University this year for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. Harvard University awarded about 397 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $105,422 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,616. Get the full public administration & social service details for Harvard University

2
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

A rank of #2 makes Boston University one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 362 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $57,991. Typical student debt for the program is $25,232. See the full public administration & social service program report for Boston University

3
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #3 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chestnut Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. Boston College awarded about 251 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $56,920. Students borrow a median of $18,101 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Boston College

4

Northeastern University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 109 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $66,050. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full public administration & social service program report for Northeastern University

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the top schools for public administration & social service. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 90 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $50,929 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,195. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst

6
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #6 position for public administration & social service this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. Tufts University graduates 94% of students within six years. Tufts University awarded about 32 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Tufts University

7

Suffolk University placed #7 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. Suffolk University awarded about 67 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $78,504 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Suffolk University

8
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Boston, Simmons College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 499 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Simmons College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $45,268. Simmons College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Simmons College

9

University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #9 among the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Lowell. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $66,985 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,574. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Massachusetts Lowell

10
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College earned the #10 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Smith College awarded about 129 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $53,525. Smith College graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Smith College

11

Westfield State University placed #11 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Westfield State University graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 142 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Westfield State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $47,739. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Westfield State University

12

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #12 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Boston awarded about 77 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $55,692. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates carry a median of $27,947 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Massachusetts Boston

13

Bristol Community College came in at #13 for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fall River. Bristol Community College awarded about 23 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $37,897. Bristol Community College graduates carry a median of $6,433 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Bristol Community College

14
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA

Regis College placed #14 among the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Weston. Regis College graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 59 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Regis College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Regis College earn around $69,483 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,441. Get the full public administration & social service details for Regis College

15

Salem State University landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 146 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Salem State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Salem State University earn around $52,651 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full public administration & social service program report for Salem State University

16

Bridgewater State University placed #16 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. Bridgewater State University awarded about 165 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $51,697 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Bridgewater State University

17

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #17 position for public administration & social service this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth awarded about 42 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $67,722 in their early career. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

18

Anna Maria College placed #18 among the best public administration & social service schools. Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Paxton. About 46% of students finish within six years. About 86 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Anna Maria College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Anna Maria College earn a median of $99,655 early in their careers. Anna Maria College graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Anna Maria College

19
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University placed #19 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. There were roughly 64 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Clark University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Clark University earn around $60,791 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,153. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Clark University

20

Brandeis University placed #20 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 155 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Brandeis University earn a median of $52,220 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full public administration & social service details for Brandeis University

21
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College landed the #21 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 53 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Springfield College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $57,311. Springfield College graduates carry a median of $31,415 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Springfield College

22
Gordon College crest
Gordon College
Wenham, MA

Gordon College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Wenham. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 12 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Gordon College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Gordon College generally make around $30,381. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Gordon College

23

Bunker Hill Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. There were roughly 16 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Bunker Hill Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Bunker Hill Community College graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Bunker Hill Community College

24
Cambridge College crest
Cambridge College
Boston, MA

Cambridge College came in at #24 for public administration & social service this year. Set in the city of Boston, Cambridge College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Cambridge College graduates 12% of students within six years. Cambridge College awarded about 18 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $44,287 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,524 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Cambridge College

25

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #25 position for public administration & social service this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Chicopee. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 35 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at College Of Our Lady Of The Elms in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms generally make around $40,161. Typical student debt for the program is $31,682. See the full public administration & social service program report for College Of Our Lady Of The Elms

Rest of the Top 34 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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

26
27
28
29
30
Fisher College crest
Fisher College
Boston, MA
31
32
33
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA
34
Cape Cod Community College crest
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA

View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 34 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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