College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in the Southeast Region

200 Colleges in the United States
19,211 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$43,362 Avg Early-Career Salary

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.

What’s on this page:

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

1
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

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

2

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

3

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

4

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. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

5
Clemson University crest
Clemson University
Clemson, SC

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

6

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

7

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

8
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

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

9

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. Get the full public administration & social service details for Elon University

10
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

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

11
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

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. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Vanderbilt University

12
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

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

13
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

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

14

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

15

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

16

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

17

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. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from University Of Georgia

18

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

19

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

20
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL

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. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Jacksonville University

21

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

22
Midlands Technical College crest
Midlands Technical College
West Columbia, SC

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. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Midlands Technical College

23

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

24

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

25

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:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
Gardner Webb University crest
Gardner Webb University
Boiling Springs, NC
34
35
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN
36
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Lander University crest
Lander University
Greenwood, SC
47
48
Georgia Gwinnett College crest
Georgia Gwinnett College
Lawrenceville, GA
49
50
Wingate University crest
Wingate University
Wingate, NC

Honorable Mentions

These schools earned honorable mentions for public administration & social service:

View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

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.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options