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2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Massachusetts

15 Colleges in the United States
3,681 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$53,798 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 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 51 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

Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 school for public administration & social service. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The six-year graduation rate is 98%. There were roughly 433 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $106,130 early in their careers. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Harvard University

2
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #2 spot this year. 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 377 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Boston University earn a median of $57,991 early in their careers. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Boston University

3
Boston College crest
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Boston College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 278 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Boston College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Boston College earn a median of $56,920 early in their careers. Boston College graduates carry a median of $18,101 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Boston College

4

Fitchburg State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in public administration & social service, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Fitchburg. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. There were roughly 24 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Fitchburg State University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $45,641 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,352. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Fitchburg State University

5

Northeastern University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #5. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 105 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 $66,133. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Northeastern University

6
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 24 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Tufts University

7
Simmons College crest
Simmons College
Boston, MA

Simmons College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Simmons College awarded about 641 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Simmons College generally make around $45,268. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Simmons College

8

Suffolk University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 61% of students finish within six years. Suffolk University awarded about 58 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $78,504. Suffolk University graduates carry a median of $26,670 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Suffolk University

9

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #9 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 71 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $50,929 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Massachusetts Amherst

10
Gordon College crest
Gordon College
Wenham, MA

Gordon College earned the #10 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the rural area of Wenham, Gordon College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Gordon College graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Gordon College in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Gordon College earn a median of $37,097 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,250. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Gordon College

11
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College placed #11 among the best public administration & social service schools. 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. About 138 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Smith College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Smith College earn a median of $53,525 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,941. See the full public administration & social service program report for Smith College

12

Bristol Community College placed #12 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Bristol Community College awarded about 31 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $37,897 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $6,433. Get the full public administration & social service details for Bristol Community College

13
Springfield College crest
Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 74% of students finish within six years. Springfield College awarded about 87 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Springfield College earn a median of $57,311 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $31,415. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Springfield College

14

Westfield State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Westfield. About 54% of students finish 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. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Westfield State University earn around $47,739 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Westfield State University

15

Anna Maria College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 96 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Anna Maria College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $98,414 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Anna Maria College

16

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. About 47 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $67,722 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,106. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

17
Regis College crest
Regis College
Weston, MA

Regis College placed #17 among the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Weston. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 59 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Regis College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Regis College earn a median of $69,483 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,441 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Regis College

18

Bridgewater State University earned the #18 position for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Bridgewater State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 179 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Bridgewater State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $51,697. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Bridgewater State University

19

Brandeis University placed #19 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 142 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. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Brandeis University

20

Salem State University earned the #20 position for public administration & social service this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Salem. Salem State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 157 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. Salem State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Salem State University

21

University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 56 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Boston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Massachusetts Boston earn around $53,160 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,947 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Massachusetts Boston

22
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University came in at #22 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Worcester. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Clark University awarded about 73 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Clark University earn a median of $60,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Clark University

23
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 23 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Lesley University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $48,287. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete this degree. Get the full public administration & social service details for Lesley University

24

Quinsigamond Community College landed the #24 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 53 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Quinsigamond Community College in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $36,101 early in their careers. Quinsigamond Community College graduates carry a median of $19,504 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Quinsigamond Community College

25
Fisher College crest
Fisher College
Boston, MA

Fisher College came in at #25 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 25% of students finish within six years. About 26 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Fisher College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $35,289 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,935 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Fisher College

Rest of the Top 32 Public Administration & Social Service Schools

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

26
27
28
29
Cambridge College crest
Cambridge College
Boston, MA
30
31
32
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 51 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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