2027 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region
Public Administration & Social Service programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 200 schools to find the best for public administration & social service students.
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Best Schools for Public Administration & Social Service in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public administration & social service education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service
Our analysis ranked Duke University the best school in the country for a degree in public administration & social service. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. About 263 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $72,813 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Duke University
University Of Virginia Main Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #2. University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 206 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Virginia Main Campus in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of University Of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of $71,078 early in their careers. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates carry a median of $20,362 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Virginia Main Campus
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in public administration & social service, ranking #3. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 370 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $50,647. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
A rank of #4 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 68 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $48,383 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
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Clemson University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Clemson, Clemson University is a very large public institution. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Clemson University in the most recent year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Clemson University earn around $65,949 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,783 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Clemson University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #6 position for public administration & social service this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 103 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $74,121. Students borrow a median of $15,468 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
George Mason University placed #7 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 338 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,709. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,147 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for George Mason University
James Madison University came in at #8 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 106 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from James Madison University earn around $41,258 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,245.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from James Madison University
Elon University came in at #9 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Elon, Elon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Elon University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $50,463 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,619 to complete this degree.
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University Of Miami placed #10 among the best public administration & social service schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 26 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $69,710. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of Miami
Vanderbilt University placed #11 among the best public administration & social service schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 29 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $59,973 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree.
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Lipscomb University placed #12 among the best public administration & social service schools. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Lipscomb University
Florida State University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 194 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $43,828 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,659 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Florida State University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #14 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 191 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $43,786 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,791 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Florida Atlantic University landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. About 63% of students finish within six years. About 232 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $44,099 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,749 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Florida Atlantic University
Virginia Commonwealth University landed the #16 spot for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Richmond. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 497 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $43,883 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full public administration & social service program report for Virginia Commonwealth University
University Of Georgia placed #17 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 341 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of Georgia earn around $43,141 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $24,314 in student loans.
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University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #18 among the best public administration & social service schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 347 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $44,830. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,244 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of South Florida Main Campus
University Of Central Florida earned the #19 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. About 510 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at University Of Central Florida in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Central Florida generally make around $43,988. University Of Central Florida graduates carry a median of $22,414 in student loans.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Central Florida
Jacksonville University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 51% of students finish within six years. Jacksonville University awarded about 12 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $72,608 early in their careers. Jacksonville University graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans.
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College Of William And Mary ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 60 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $36,703 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the public administration & social service program at College Of William And Mary
Midlands Technical College landed the #22 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. Midlands Technical College awarded about 28 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $39,610 early in their careers. Midlands Technical College graduates carry a median of $18,203 in student loans.
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University Of The Cumberlands earned the #23 position for public administration & social service this year. University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamsburg. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 128 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of The Cumberlands in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from University Of The Cumberlands earn around $32,938 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,783 to complete this degree.
See the full public administration & social service program report for University Of The Cumberlands
Florida International University came in at #24 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 183 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Florida International University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $49,327. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $22,911 in student loans.
More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Florida International University
Appalachian State University came in at #25 for public administration & social service this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 169 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $40,772 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,184.
Get the full public administration & social service details for Appalachian State University
Rest of the Top 50 Public Administration & Social Service Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s public administration & social service ranking:
Honorable Mentions
These schools earned honorable mentions for public administration & social service:
- #51 — Columbia Southern University · Orange Beach, AL
- #52 — Indian River State College · Fort Pierce, FL
- #53 — Palm Beach State College · Lake Worth, FL
- #54 — American Public University System · Charles Town, WV
- #55 — Lees Mcrae College · Banner Elk, NC
- #56 — The University Of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
- #57 — Flagler College St Augustine · Saint Augustine, FL
- #58 — Christopher Newport University · Newport News, VA
- #59 — College Of Charleston · Charleston, SC
- #60 — Mount Olive College · Mount Olive, NC
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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 · 200 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.