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2026 Best Public Administration & Social Service Schools in Kentucky

10 Colleges in the United States
2,908 Public Administration & Social Service Degrees Awarded
$40,609 Avg Early-Career Salary

Public Administration & Social Service programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 27 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 Kentucky

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall public administration & social service education in Kentucky.

Top Schools in Public Administration & Social Service

1

No school ranked higher than University Of The Cumberlands this year for public administration & social service. Located in the town of Williamsburg, University Of The Cumberlands is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of The Cumberlands graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 97 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. University Of The Cumberlands graduates carry a median of $22,783 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of The Cumberlands

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Kentucky one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Kentucky awarded about 1,253 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $43,745. Typical student debt for the program is $26,875. Get the full public administration & social service details for University Of Kentucky

3

Lindsey Wilson College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Lindsey Wilson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Columbia. Lindsey Wilson College graduates 44% of students within six years. There were roughly 110 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Lindsey Wilson College in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Lindsey Wilson College earn a median of $29,318 early in their careers. Lindsey Wilson College graduates carry a median of $22,774 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Lindsey Wilson College

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Louisville one of the top schools for public administration & social service. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. There were roughly 229 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at University Of Louisville in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $40,876 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at University Of Louisville

5
Asbury University crest
Asbury University
Wilmore, KY

Students looking for a strong public administration & social service program will find one at Asbury University, which ranked #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Wilmore. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Asbury University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Asbury University earn around $50,086 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,104. See the full public administration & social service program report for Asbury University

6

Jefferson Community And Technical College placed #6 among the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public institution. There were roughly 22 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Jefferson Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Jefferson Community And Technical College earn around $44,346 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,917 to complete this degree. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Jefferson Community And Technical College

7

Gateway Community And Technical College placed #7 among the best public administration & social service schools. Located in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 13 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Gateway Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Gateway Community And Technical College earn around $46,993 in the first couple years of their career. Gateway Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $21,100 in student loans. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Gateway Community And Technical College

8

Elizabethtown Community And Technical College landed the #8 spot for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 19 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Elizabethtown Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earn a median of $45,486 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,245. Get the full public administration & social service details for Elizabethtown Community And Technical College

9
Northern Kentucky University crest
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University landed the #9 spot for public administration & social service this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Highland Heights. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 143 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Northern Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $43,579 in their early career. Northern Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $28,906 in student loans. See the full public administration & social service program report for Northern Kentucky University

10
Campbellsville University crest
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville, KY

Campbellsville University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. Set in the town of Campbellsville, Campbellsville University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 267 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Campbellsville University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Campbellsville University generally make around $40,399. Campbellsville University graduates carry a median of $27,360 in student loans. Get the full public administration & social service details for Campbellsville University

11

Bluegrass Community And Technical College came in at #11 for public administration & social service this year. Located in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public university. There were roughly 33 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Bluegrass Community And Technical College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $44,431 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,366. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Bluegrass Community And Technical College

12

Murray State University placed #12 among the best public administration & social service schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Murray State University graduates 64% of students within six years. Murray State University awarded about 95 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $43,545 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Murray State University

13

Hazard Community And Technical College earned the #13 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Hazard Community And Technical College awarded about 25 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. Hazard Community And Technical College graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Hazard Community And Technical College

14

Eastern Kentucky University earned the #14 position for public administration & social service this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Eastern Kentucky University graduates 55% of students within six years. Eastern Kentucky University awarded about 178 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their public administration & social service degree from Eastern Kentucky University earn around $37,057 in the first couple years of their career. Eastern Kentucky University graduates carry a median of $30,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Eastern Kentucky University

15
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #15 spot for public administration & social service this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Western Kentucky University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 152 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Western Kentucky University in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $39,506 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Western Kentucky University

16
Pikeville College crest
Pikeville College
Pikeville, KY

Pikeville College placed #16 among the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Pikeville. About 42% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Pikeville College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $57,157 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,966. Get the full public administration & social service details for Pikeville College

17

Maysville Community And Technical College landed the #17 spot for public administration & social service this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Maysville. Maysville Community And Technical College awarded about 26 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $37,769 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,031. Get the full public administration & social service details for Maysville Community And Technical College

18
Spalding University crest
Spalding University
Louisville, KY

Spalding University placed #18 among the best public administration & social service schools. Spalding University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Louisville. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Spalding University awarded about 38 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Spalding University generally make around $48,073. Typical student debt for the program is $29,862. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Spalding University

19

Big Sandy Community And Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best public administration & social service schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Prestonsburg. About 35 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Big Sandy Community And Technical College in the most recent year. Graduates of the public administration & social service program make about $33,956 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,993 to complete this degree. See the full public administration & social service program report for Big Sandy Community And Technical College

20

Morehead State University earned the #20 position for public administration & social service this year. Set in the town of Morehead, Morehead State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Morehead State University graduates 52% of students within six years. About 46 public administration & social service degrees were awarded at Morehead State University in the most recent year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Morehead State University earn a median of $35,300 early in their careers. Morehead State University graduates carry a median of $32,002 in student loans. More information about a degree in public administration & social service from Morehead State University

21

Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #21 for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Cumberland. Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College awarded about 25 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $35,946. Typical student debt for the program is $9,687. Read more about the public administration & social service program at Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College

22

Kentucky State University earned the #22 position for public administration & social service this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Frankfort. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Kentucky State University awarded about 23 public administration & social service degrees in the most recent data year. Public Administration & Social Service graduates of Kentucky State University earn a median of $28,497 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $29,774. Get the full public administration & social service details for Kentucky State University

23
Brescia University crest
Brescia University
Owensboro, KY

Brescia University placed #23 among the best public administration & social service schools. Brescia University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Owensboro. Brescia University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 public administration & social service students who graduated with this degree at Brescia University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, public administration & social service degree recipients from Brescia University generally make around $42,368. Typical student debt for the program is $48,125. See the full public administration & social service program report for Brescia University

View All Public Administration & Social Service Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 27 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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